A dagger is about 10 inches long on average. It can vary from 5 – 18 inches. A dagger is shorter than a sword which is about 28 inches long.
Here is a few example lengths:
Falcon Tactical Dagger Fix Blade – 7.5 inches
Black Wooden Handled Athame Dagger – 9 inches
Whetstone Cutlery Medieval Double Edged Stainless Steel Dagger – 13.5 inches
Silver Bodice Scissors Dagger – 10 inches.
Types of daggers and lengths.
Push dagger: This short dagger with a T-shaped handle is arguably the most popular type of dagger. It has a fixed blade, and its handle provides a firm grip, which makes it an excellent self-defense weapon. The push dagger is compact to fit in an ordinary pocket, meaning it is easily concealable, and uder 6 inches long.
Bollock dagger: This type of dagger is easily identifiable, thanks to its distinctively shaped hilt. Perhaps the manliest, the bollock dagger’s handle, has two oval-shaped protuberances at the guard. 18 inches long.
Scottish Dirks: Historically carried by Scottish Highlanders, a Scottish dagger is a long, usually 12 inches, and single-edged dagger that is lavishly decorated. The decorative work of art is on the unsharpened edge of the blade.
Bagh Nakh: This is the most intimidating dagger to face off against in any conflict. Essentially, it is a claw-like dagger with four to five curved bars attached to a glove or crossbar. The weapon can also be concealed under the palm but is mainly designed to fit over knuckles. Its name translates to tigers claws, so it is created to slash through the skin and muscle. 18 inches long.
Cinquedea: is a long and heavy dagger that enjoyed a period of popularity during the Renaissance. Its name means “five fingers” because its width adjacent to the handguard is supposedly five-fingers wide. It is 18 inches long.
Kalis: is a double-edge Filipino sword that excels in cutting and thrusting. It is unique, with a wavy section that is said to be meant to facilitate easier slashing in man-to-man battle. The handguard flows seamlessly and artistically into the blade. It is 56 cm long.
Jambiyas: is a short dagger featuring a curved blade. It is associated with Arabic and Yemen, where men wear it as an accessory to their clothing. The extravagance of materials used to make the dagger’s hilt, more often than not, determines its price. It is 14 inches long.
Trench Knife: Primarily used in World War I, these are daggers designed for used close combat. Most trench knives come with a unique hilt (handle) to provide a stronger grip. It was 7 inches long.
Stiletto dagger: This is a very long(13 inches) and slender dagger knife mainly designed for stabbing, not cutting or slashing. The stiletto dagger was born in Italy. Because it is easily concealable and can penetrate heavy clothing, it was the favorite weapon of Medieval assassins.
Each type of dagger comes with a unique design that makes it easy to differentiate them. As daggers gain popularity as ornamental tools, more and more designs are being invented. One of the charming designs is the dragon draggers that come with wicked-looking blades.
Fantasy daggers come with classic fantasy blades or hilts that make them unique. Even with their ornamental value, lavishly decorated daggers can be used for close as a self-defense weapon should you be attacked.
The dagger knife is one of the legendary and most long-standing tools.
Most people think of a dagger as an instrument used in a close battle. This is very true considering that it comes with a very sharp, rigid point and two sharp edges, usually designed to stab or slash.
Essentially, a dagger is a short, double-edged blade knife with a sharply tapered point, primarily designed or capable of being used as a stabbing or thrusting weapon.
Daggers’ distinctive shape and historic usage have made them iconic and symbolic. They are easily recognizable, thanks to their sharp tapered point and short blade with two cutting edges. Even so, it has evolved with time.
This short, stabbing knife usually comes with a hilt that the user grasps when handling it. Most draggers feature a full crossguard that keeps the hand from riding onto the razor-sharp blades; therefore, preventing self-inflicted injuries. The crossguard is very useful considering that the cutting edges of dagger knives are sharpened to the entire length of the blade.
Draggers require a sheath to safe storage.
Notably, daggers are mainly weapons, meaning their manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, and use might be restricted by knife legislation.
Daggers originated in prehistoric times. The earliest daggers were made of flint, ivory, and bone and used as tools and hunting weapons.
Nonetheless, the first truly developed daggers appeared in the Copper and Bronze Ages. Even though they were used as backup weapons, some draggers were lavishly decorated. The decorated daggers were used by many cultures in ritual and ceremonial contexts.
Although they are gaining popularity as “art knives,” they have a tainted reputation because they have appeared in the commission of disreputable, secretive, and nasty deeds.
How do daggers compare to knives?
The dagger’s structure and integrity are much more robust compared to that of a knife. A dagger has a more rigid and durable blade with sharp edges on both sides, primarily designed to ease stabbing. The double-edged blade is intended to inflict as much damage as possible during combats.
On the other hand, knives are structurally smaller, and only one of their edges is sharpened. Like daggers, knives also come in various sizes and styles suited for different uses, especially in a culinary environment.
Daggers are excellent self-defense weapons about 10 inches in length.
