What is the 'proper' length for a dagger?

Marion David Poff

Marion David Poff

Joined
Oct 8, 1998
Messages
5,403
Good Day,

I know that I can make my dagger any length I want.

But what would be the 'right' length?

It will have a Applegate/Fairbairn style blade, but ground flat from spine, half edge on spine. MEUK handle, mortise tang and not bi-symmetrical.

A sort of utilitarian dagger aka skean dubh.

What think you????? 6 inches???

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

Resolution By Division(c) Innovative Cutlery Solutions
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff/rbd.html

Allen Blade Custom Knives
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff/allenblade.html

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.
 
Good question Eye.
I love Daggers, but I have no idea what the perfect lenght would be, 6" sounds fine. I think the F/S Commando or the Case Special Forces would make a nice pettern. It's my understanding that Daggers don't sell all that well compared to other styles, is that because of all the Laws against Dirks and Daggers? Personaly I've never seen a Dagger I didn't like. One of my favorites is in an issue of Blade magazine, Dec '98 page 16. It's an Alex Daniels' repro of a Joseph Rodgers period piece, just beautiful. I'd love to post it here, but I can't because I'm an idiot, and don't know how.
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"Will work 4 Knives!"
 
I think the length of the original Applegate/Fairbairn dagger would be a good starting point. If I remember correctly this length was chosen because of the ability of a norwegian "skiing commando" to sneak up to germans in WWII and stab them fatally through their winter clothing. Also, the length of the MD Shrike could also be a consideration. All the recent talk about MD knives aside, I don't remember many people questioning the 'combat design' of his knives. I don't know the exact length of both knives right now, but you will have no trouble finding them on the net.

Personally, I would prefer something in the 4 inch range to make it a comfortable carry piece. But I am very interested in your 'dagger project'. Especially its cutting/slashing power. I have decided to stay away from daggers as I haven't found a model that could cut very well. Great 'piercers' though. The CS article about daggers raises a couple of good points as well in favour of daggers. I am curious if a full flat ground mini smatchet type dagger would cut and slice the way I prefer, but I haven't seen any yet.
 
I have several customs with blades in the 12-14" range. They're very-,well, fun.

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The thorn stands to defend the Rose, yet it is peaceful and does not seek conflict
 

Phill, if you want, you can scan it and send it to me and I'll post it for you.

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KSwinamer
 
MDP,

I am holding my Gerber TAC-II right now while I am typing. It has a 6" double edge dagger blade. I think 6" is a good length but 7" would be better. It gives the knife that extra reach but does not make it unwieldy. I personally feel that anything over 7" would make stabing a bit awkward. The longer the blade the more possible strain on the wrist. If an attacker had on a full compressed inch of clothing, you would still have 6" of penatration. I am no expert on the anatomy but I doubt there are any organs that are much deeper than 6". I am not saying that you want to stab someone, but that is what a dagger is designed for.

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Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
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"only the paranoid will survive":)


 
daggers are traditionall between 6 and 18 inches with the larger one moving towards te short sword category, but tey were used as a back up last ditch weapon in medival combat, piercing ability is important if going through armour. any wa time has moved on but I still like a long strong blade capable of parry and thrust.

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Sanity is overrated, simply a moonbeam spilling pearls on a dark and treacherous sea.
j . p hissom
 
6" with a 5" handle with a round hardwood handle, a sterling/alloy bone guard, and a sterling/alloy skull pommel w/sharpened saber-teeth. I am almost done carving the guard and pommel prototypes to have them cast, anyone interested? (I don't make knives, yet
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)

I know this is not what you were looking for, but I couldn't resist.

smile.gif
Brandon

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"You should never never doubt what nobody is sure about..."
 
Now that I think about it 7-8" would give me room to widen the blade while keeping it proportional, wider equating an increase in true cutting power.

The Shrike Style I like, but a little too narrow, I think.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

Resolution By Division(c) Innovative Cutlery Solutions
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff/rbd.html

Allen Blade Custom Knives
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff/allenblade.html

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.
 
If it were up to me id go for 7". Not to big, not to small. However, i think that the buyer should hold knives of various lengths and see what works for him/her.
Andrew
 
A lot of research went into the design of the Sykes/Applegate/Fairbairn style daggers. Check out Paladin Press for books about this.
If you are really serious, you may want to pick up a human anatomy text and or talk to a pathologist.

The deepest internal organs you would be trying for are the heart or kidneys. Cardiac needles for intracardiac injections are about 3 1/2" long, and they are not punched through clothing.
 
MD-
Applegate decided on 6" for the A/F because he felt it was a good length for proper penetration of vitals even if the enemy was wearing a greatcoat or heavy jacket.

I much prefer 7" myself. I believe it helps give the dagger some needed mass for slashing and hacking strikes.

For a good starting point, look at an old Blackjack blackmoor dirk, designed by Pat Crawford. A bit broader and longer and you will have the dagger from hell.

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"The most effective armor is to keep out of range"-Italian proverb
 
Seems to me one should consider the original purpose of the dagger. Wouldn't the right blade length be long enough to pierce the heart? Less would make it ineffective. More would add unnecessary bulk and weight.

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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
For most of us, who won't quietly dispose of an enemy sentry or assassinate a tyrant, the correct length for a dagger - a knife primarily designed for stabbing, as opposed to cutting things or slashing at the bad guy's weapon hand, God forbid - is what pleases our eyes in collection and display.

For what it's worth, Californians have been convicted for concealed carry of a "dirk or dagger" for cheap ugly pointed things as short as two inches.

Is this a dagger which I see before me?


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
Wow, thanks Kisu, you have the patience of a Saint! I feel like a proud Papa, that's the first time I've been able to scan something and actually get it to someone else. Now, if I can only figure out how to make it bigger. Only kidding!
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Sorry to go off topic with this, but it is a great looking Daggger, don't ya think?

Hey, it's not easy being the dumbest kid on the block!
 
Sorry Blackdog, nothing received from you, and I know my e-mail is working. Please if you would be so kind as to try again.
 
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