Recommendation? Is there any push dagger that can be used in a survival setting?

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damib

Joined
Jul 7, 2021
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119
Hello,
I recently got to admire how my ordinary 3 inch blade fixed knife excels at concealed carry and I am currently considering buying a new knife.

My current experiences led me to consider buying a push dagger because of its ease of concealment and tactical capabilities, but I also need a blade that can do basic survival stuff such as skining game, making fire with firesteel etc... So basically something small, but not so small that it can't be used efficiently against bad guys and preferably something that doesn't have sharpened edge on both sides of the blade and also has good ergonomy so it is enough in a survival situation. I would be happy if the price was under 200 dollars and I don't care about the type of steel if it is processed properly.

What would you recomend for me?
 
I would recommend not a push dagger. I thought the idea of them was cool when I was younger, but I don't think they are practical for anything. A conventional handle to blade orientation will allow more versatility in both utility oriented tasks and tactical. The only possible advantage I can see is it might be more difficult to dislodge from your grip, but that is offset by the reduced dexterity that can be exerted on the blade and the increased possibility of the blade being twisted in the hand (a likelihood that increases in proportion to increased blade length, via leverage), thus misaligning the point, which could prove very dangerous to the user in a "tactical" engagement, or any hard puncturing tasks. Just my thoughts.
 
This is a fun experiment I have been getting in to.

There is a concept called a clearing knife or a get off me knife that is a small self defence knife that is worn forward of the hips.

And basically the idea is iit isn't ideal for a range based knife figh. But f you have range. You run away.

Or you pull your little knife out. Cut some figure 8s in the air and run of.

But if you are engaged or grappled or on the ground you can use that knife with either hand along with a bunch of wrestling to get up, make space and run away.

And this is where the punch dagger can work.

But there are a bunch of different knives that will fit the bill. Just depends on where you want their strengths to be.
 
David Mary said:
I would recommend not a push dagger. I thought the idea of them was cool when I was younger, but I don't think they are practical for anything. A conventional handle to blade orientation will allow more versatility in both utility oriented tasks and tactical. The only possible advantage I can see is it might be more difficult to dislodge from your grip, but that is offset by the reduced dexterity that can be exerted on the blade and the increased possibility of the blade being twisted in the hand (a likelihood that increases in proportion to increased blade length, via leverage), thus misaligning the point, which could prove very dangerous to the user in a "tactical" engagement, or any hard puncturing tasks. Just my thoughts.
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Interestingly. Shiv works demonstrate the advantage of a punch dagger needing less training. And demonstrate this by having a non knife person hold the dagger and pretend to defend themselves.

In which of course they punch people with it.

I did mention to them I could probably recreate that with any person and any blade. And they would probably figure something out.

But it fell on deaf ears a bt.

Otherwise I agree with you exept maby that T handle might sti a but nicer on that front hip. And the handle is a bit better for pulling. Which can be overlooked in a defensive knife. Pulling it out of the sheath. And pulling ut out of whatever you just stabbed. (Which I think will factor in other choices down the track)

And I think your little wharncliffes you do would be a thousand times better. Exept for skinning?

I don't know. I don't skin anything.
 
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So after all that grounding so that you know why I am making the knife choices I am making.

Here is one option

So it is a small blade. A sheath that sits forward of the hips, a handle you won't slip off in a fight. And and ability to pull the knife.
 
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Drop bear said:
And the handle is a bit better for pulling.
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Actually, that is a great point. :thumbsup:

eveled said:
The KA-BAR TDI is in my opinion offers some of the advantages of a push dagger, but is more usable in regular knife tasks.
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Also a great point. It's got some heavy cant to it, but not quite a perpendicular blade to handle orientation. That profile is a great balance between push dagger and conventional, and would be great, as you said, for both tactical and utility uses.
 
Might want to look into Wharnies. There are quite a few within your size/budget specs, they are good for camp and butcher stuff, and great for SD (emphasis on defense) - if you adjust/train your technique a bit.
 
Back to concepts. This is a small wharncliffe knife slashing things.

Which is possibly the best bang for buck in knife shape for that purpose. A wharncliffe will also do survival/EDC cutting tasks well. (Exept again mabye skinning)

And they go through modern packaging like a champ.

When they stab the blade is pushed forward a little. Making the stab hole bigger. But you do have to put a little angle on the stab.

This shape is where I would lean toward for a small defensive utility knife.

And would be quite happy getting a custom sheath that stores that tuff lite open as a fixed blade. And that being my defensive option.
 
a1b2c3 said:
Maybe try a ESEE Tertiary since it has a push type handle with a blade profile of an Izula.
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I think this leads in to more concepts. The gun knife.

So looking at the ESEE Territory it has a clip point blade, skeletonised handle with a ring.

So one of the purposes of a small knife is to help you get space to get your gun out.

Now obviously at some point you become captain fumbles with a knife in one hand and a gun in the other. And you possibly don't want to mess around with putting the knife back.

So they have rings and flatter handles to be able to two hand a gun. While also holding the knife.

Rings are also good for pulling.



Gun people loose their minds over this though.
 
The only knife I am aware of that fits your qualifications is the ESEE Tertiary , it does have a sharpened clip point but is single edged and more real knife than silly self defense nonsense. Also the cold steel drop forged push dagger is a decent option if you dull one edge it would fit your needs quite well and is a spectacular deal cost wise.
 
Push daggers don't even need to be sharpened. If you left them ground at .015 thou and never finished sharpening it, it would still be lethal af.

That said, push daggers are great for "survival" if that "survival" means being used to preserve one's life against another creature. Not a great knife for general wood work, animal processing, or just about anything else.
 
They really aren't meant for it. It's like taking a Prius and using it pull a 35' trailer. Can it work...eh, sorta.

I have a push dagger that lives in my boot. It's not there for in case I find myself stranded in the woods.
 
By the way the first rule of a defensive knife is to never say they are a defensive knife.

So you can't really find good cheep ones with a word search.

The major Chinese brands all do knives that tick those concept boxes. Bat are all "edc" knives.





There are a ton of cheap aftermarket clips that will pretty much turn a plastic sheath into a concealed belt carry. (Or cable ties)

So most neck knives are on the table as well.

Where if you go to the brands billed as specialist defensive blades. You will pat more money.

Eg.

 
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