Best Push-knife?

R

runT1ME

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Nov 22, 2004
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I'm looking for a good push knife to pick up, one primarily for thrusting, NOT for slashing. This is a differnet discussion, but I doubt the effectiveness of stuff like the HAK etc. So, If anyone has good recommendations for a push knife, please let me know. Thanks in advance.
 
Firstly - there's no such thing as "the best push-knife". That being said, there's much less difference among push-daggers than among conventional knives - they all use the same grip, are all basically shaped the same, and are all used the same way. For that reason the budget knives (like Cold Steel's stuff) probably work as well as the high-dollar stuff (Mercworx, Wilson Tactical, customs). In fact, many people think that the thick, rubbery handle on the Cold Steel is more comfy and secure than Micarta or plain metal handles. I got rid of my Cold Steel Safekeeper because I'm a push-dagger snob and was saving up for a Mercworx, but ended up getting a Benchmade CBK, wrapping the handle in paracord and replacing the supplied clip (which isn't bad) with a mini Tek-lok.

The biggest disadvantage of a push dagger is that, unlike most small conventional fixed blades, it is difficult to set it up for an easy ambidextrous draw. If it's a horizontal belt mount, for instance, you can only draw it from one side. If it's vertical belt mount, you can probably draw with either hand, depending on where it is on the belt, but the draw is awkward with either hand because you have to pull straight up which requires articulating your wrist quite a bit. Since I want all my SD fixed blades to draw easiliy with either hand, I only carry my CBK when I'm hiking or hunting and want a knife that is very light (I mount it upside-down on the front strap of a backpack which means an easy draw with one hand, and awkward draw with the other - about the best you can do).
 
I used to carry my CS safe keeper 3 and my desparado as neck knives
re enforced with tape to be sure they didn't fall out. (used to happen
pretty regularily too. :o ) The best place is in a inside pocket of a
jacket or coat though. I haven't seen the Mercworx or Wilson's yet
as I traded both my CS I might take a look at them.
 
Well, what concerns me is that the Cold Steel ones are 420. Are there any custom makers that have done push knives that any of you can recommend? Are my only choices Mercworx, cold steel, and benchmade?
 
The Wilson Tactical ($200 in D2) looks nice, and it's a deal compared to the Mercworx:

model15_1.jpg


The website is: www.wilsontactical.com
 
runT1ME said:
Well, what concerns me is that the Cold Steel ones are 420. Are there any custom makers that have done push knives that any of you can recommend? Are my only choices Mercworx, cold steel, and benchmade?
Click to expand...

The steel shouldn't matter in a push dagger that much. The reason is they
aren't really tools so to speak. Push Daggers are straight out self defense
tools not mean for anything other than that. They are to be used against
"soft" things.

The Wilson looks great, but I have my eye on a J Neilson "checkerboard"
pattern knife. And the fat handle on a CS safekeeper looks pretty obvious
to anyone who was looking btw. The Desperado is thinner but the angle
of the handle is a little too acute to be of much use.
 
Hey Guys..

Look into the KABAR TDI..

Not exactly a push dagger,, but the next best thing...

If you get patted down with a push dagger,, you are probably in a Heap of trouble..No explaining away a PD as an apple peeler,, however the TDI, which almost but not quite puts the knife in the same position,,and be explained as a utility knife rather than a SD weapon...

I know in Canada,,if you get caught with a push knife,,your going to get Bent Over Huge..The TDI,, I could possibly explain..

Just my thoughts..

ttyle

Eric....
 
The wilson doesn't look too bad, all though one thing hit me, that none of these offer trainers.(that I could find). Perhaps my best bet is to look for a custom maker that would be able to fashion a push dagger with the handle of my liking, and also do a trainer. I'm not sure how much i'd be looking at (250 dollar range, < 300 hopefully?), but i'm open to suggestions if anyone can think of someone who would be interested in something like that. Thanks for the replies so far.
 
runT1ME said:
The wilson doesn't look too bad, all though one thing hit me, that none of these offer trainers.(that I could find). Perhaps my best bet is to look for a custom maker that would be able to fashion a push dagger with the handle of my liking, and also do a trainer. I'm not sure how much i'd be looking at (250 dollar range, < 300 hopefully?), but i'm open to suggestions if anyone can think of someone who would be interested in something like that. Thanks for the replies so far.
Click to expand...


You could get a trainer from www.takknife.com they make push knife trainers.
 
You could just make your own. Sidewalk edger blades make pretty good ones. I've made several over the years. Like someone mentioned above, it is purely a self defense tool although my mother uses hers for opening letters and for cutting tape and stuff like that. The steel can be anything really for a push knife.

Here is the one I made my mom sitting by the edger blade I got the steel for it from. They are fun to make, if you have the time and inclination for that kind of thing.

This one has two simple elk antler scales pinned with 3/32 brass rods. Then I used some of the same antler to make a sheath with brass cap and bottom of .032 sheet brass. Lined the inside of the sheath with dental impression material. Coated the blade with vasoline and stuck it in the wet mix and it set up forming a perfect friction mold for the blade. Works great as a purse knife, neck knife or just a key ring dangler.

Stevespushknife4-copy.jpg


Stevesmodifiedpushknife-copy.jpg
 
I remember seeing an Al Mar pushdagger with desert wood handle somewhere on the internet, and it looked absolutely gorgeous.
 
STR,

Nice work. how did you maintain the temper while working? Either way impressive. :cool:

KOPROMED (poland)
annother push dagger, but from 440C steel with a good heat treat:

http://www.reachone.net/~worldknives/product.asp?produid=150&manuid=14

I got one with a wood handle, and it cost me 45 USD a while back, if you could find one with a "thuya" wood handle you would save more money, but the stag is nice .( untill you sweat all over it. ;) )
 
It is pretty simple to do. You keep it water cooled and do it with your bare hands so you know each time it starts to get warm. Warm is key. If the blade gets hot you have gone too far. During the hole process this blade never got more than luke warm. I've done many knives from old recycled steel over the years and they all cut well, including this one. It popped hairs just like anything else I've made and it kept the edge pretty well.
 
Cold Steels push daggers feel very good in the hand because of the grip design, but it's because of this grip that they harder to carry.

Benchmade's version does not feel as good in the hand but is flat and easy to carry.

Either one would work very well though, you just have to decide which way you want to lean on comfort vs. carry.
 
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