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If we’re being honest, for many of us knife enthusiasts, self-defense isn’t always the top priority when buying a new knife. That’s okay, but let’s flip the self-defense switch on for a moment. More specifically, let’s dive into the realm of the best push daggers and find out what makes them such a compelling choice for people with no training.
Some of the hot questions we’re going to answer are these:
- What key features should a push dagger have?
- What are the competitive advantages of a push dagger vs a folder or fixed blade?
- Why do some push daggers have symmetrical handles but others have asymmetrical handles?
- What are some different ways to carry a push dagger?
Key Takeaways
- The Best Overall Push Dagger is the Cold Steel Drop Forged Push Knife.
- The Best Budget Push Dagger is the Cold Steel Safe Maker II.
- The Best Luxury Push Dagger is the Heretic Sleight.
- The Best Compact Push Dagger is the Bastinelli Creations L’Innocent.
- The Best Non-production Push Dagger is the Stroup Knives SD1.
Top Picks
- Best Overall: Cold Steel Drop Forged Push Knife
- Best Budget: Cold Steel Safe Maker II
- Best Luxury: Heretic Sleight
- Best Compact: Bastinelli Creations L’Innocent
- Best Non-production: Stroup Knives SD1
Best Overall Push Dagger: The Cold Steel Drop Forged Push Knife
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Surprise, surprise! A Cold Steel push dagger on the top of the list. With how many push dagger options Cold Steel offers, it’s not shocking… But, let’s give Cold Steel the credit they deserve. They’ve been pumping out push daggers since the 1980s, with the Urban Pal being one of Cold Steel’s first takes on a modern push dagger. Since then, they’ve made some updates to the designs and have introduced a well-rounded catalog of push daggers.
After hours of back-and-forth research, I settled on the Cold Steel Drop Forged Push Knife as my top pick. Does it have some flaws? Yes. Is it too big for some people? Probably. But, man, is it fun. For only $63? You can’t even take the family to the movies for that price.
Starting out with what the Drop Forged Push Knife is good at, let’s focus our attention on the beauty of its one-piece construction. Unlike the other models on this list, the Drop Forged Push Knife doesn’t need handle scales. I was skeptical, but it’s surprisingly comfortable. Even with medium-sized hands, I was experiencing very little side-to-side movement during our punching tests (RIP cardboard).
Boasting a 4” spear-point blade made from 52100 steel, the Drop Forged Push Knife came to the party. Although the weight is definitely on the higher end of the spectrum at 7.6 ounces, it feels very balanced in your hand. The rounded tang makes me want to train with it, as it is probably the most comfortable on this list (which is kind of ironic considering it doesn’t have handle scales).
I’ve handled a lot of Cold Steel push daggers, and I’ve often been left wanting more from the sheath. The Secure-X sheath that comes with the Drop Forged Push Knife isn’t my favorite on this list, but it does allow for adjustable retention and it comes loaded with an Ulti-Clip on the back, which is a big upgrade from many of Cold Steel’s cheaper options that allow for only neck carry.
Clip this thing to the inside of your swim trunks, pants, or boot and you’ll feel like a total badass. That’s a money-back guarantee. However, if you’re dead set on mounting this push dagger to the outside of a belt, then you’ll want to consider a Tek-Lok friendly option.
If you’re looking for a larger, no BS, comfortable, spear-point push dagger, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Drop Forged Push Knife. It’s razor-sharp out of the box, so be careful resheathing this beast.
Best Budget Push Dagger: The Cold Steel Safe Maker II
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Before you guys accuse me of being sponsored by Cold Steel, I’m not. Believe it or not, there aren’t too many brands pumping out budget-friendly push daggers.
The Cold Steel Safe Maker II is such a solid option. For roughly $40, you get a 3.25-inch blade made from Japanese AUS-8A steel. Unlike the Cold Steel Drop Forged Push Knife, the Safe Maker II comes with a heavily textured Kray-Ex handle that fully wraps the tang. You’ll catch yourself saying your favorite dad tagline: “This thing isn’t going anywhere.”
In terms of performance, I couldn’t ask for more from a mid-sized push dagger. Its only downfall is the lack of sheath mounting options. The Secure-X sheath feels fine, although kydex is always preferred. But for $40, there’s always a trade-off. Rest assured, Cold Steel includes a clip on the back of the sheath so you’re not forced to neck carry it.
In my warm desert conditions, I wear athletic shorts 50% of the time. Having a quick, non-locking clip is actually my preferred choice for these conditions.
No matter your hand size, you shouldn’t experience any hot spots with the Safe Maker II. It really does a good job at playing the middle ground between powerful and still easily concealable. 3.25” inches of dagger may not be the best at cutting a grilled cheese, but you’ll feel safer carrying the Safe Maker II.
Best Luxury Push Dagger: The Heretic Sleight
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The Heretic Sleight wins two awards for being the most unique and the most luxurious. I remember when Heretic first released the Sleight: I had to do a double take. A modular push dagger?! Clearly not… oh yes, Heretic delivered.
To understand the Heretic Sleight, I highly recommend that you watch a YouTube overview after you read this amazing article. It’s just difficult to put into words how cool the design really is. Starting with the CPM 20CV blade, it’s actually removable. You heard me right. The blade is an accessory that screws into the aluminum handle, making it a true hybrid. We really do live in the modern age! Heretic designed the Sleight to be a modular system in which blade and handles could be interchangeable, depending on how you want to use the knife. Maybe you want a non-serrated blade on Monday and a fully serrated blade on Tuesday. With the Heretic Sleight, that’s possible.
The cutting power of the Sleight is unique. It’s definitely not the best piercer on this list, nor the sliciest, but it’s incredibly strong behind the edge. It’s safe to say that it’s not your traditional, spear-point shape. The asymmetrical blade gives you a belly on one side and an almost straight edge on the other. Although I think that this design was purposeful in making the blade more useful in everyday tasks, I can only speculate. But to add to the cool factor, you can swap out the “T” handle for a straighter handle, turning the push dagger into more of a traditional fixed blade.
The contoured aluminum handle is very comfortable, even more so than the Drop Forged Push Knife from Cold Steel. Using the straighter of the two edges, I performed slashing tasks against a cardboard box. The Sleight stayed locked in my palm and I felt like I was in total control the whole time. Even if you had sweaty hands, I don’t think it’d make a difference.
If a normal push dagger doesn’t cut it for you, and you’re looking for a modular self-defense system, this is a very appealing option. If you can catch the sale price of $155, then you’re getting a knife that you can upgrade for as long as Heretic keeps making accessories.
Because of the way the sheath is set up, it’s clearly designed to live on the outside of your belt. It comes with a Tek-Lok, so you’re ready to practice your draw, right out of the box.
Best Compact Push Dagger: The Bastinelli Creations L’Innocent
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If your top priority is concealability and multiple carry options, Bastinelli came to deliver. Bastinelli is a household name in the tactical/self-defense sphere. They are constantly collaborating with people in the law enforcement, the military, and the martial arts community to bring the most intentional self-defense tools to market. The L’Innocent is no exception!
Right out of the gate, I knew this push dagger was going to be a top contender – for multiple reasons: It’s insanely lightweight at only .95 ounces, it has a rounded tang to prevent hot spots, plenty of blade-to-knuckle clearance, a perfectly textured G-10 “T” handle, and a compact kydex sheath that allows for several mounting/carry options. If I were looking for one Push Dagger to carry every single day, this would be it. It can be effortlessly attached to a belt, the inside of your waistband (athletic shorts included), the inside of your boot, inside of a hoodie pocket, or hung around the neck.
The texture on the G-10 is subtle and comfortable. The kydex sheath has eyelets right where you want them, and it should be compatible with most mounting solutions like Tek-Loks and Ulti-Clips. It’s worth noting that the sheath retention is quite tight out of the box and requires a firm yank to unsheath the blade. Get those reps in, and it should break in nicely!
Although the blade on the L’Innocent is short, only 1.75” in length, the ease of carry outweighs the piercing damage (in my opinion). After all, 1.75” of blade coming at you is still a bad day.
Keep in mind that the G-10 handle is shorter on the other options on this list, so folks with L–XL hands may find it too small in the palm.
Best Non-Production Push Dagger: The Stroup Knives SD1
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If you’re looking for a push dagger with a little more personality and hand-finished feel, the SD1 is a solid choice. Before we get into why, I want to provide some context for the young brand. I’ve been following Stroup Knives closely for more than three years. They’re relatively new to the industry, nudging their way into the scene in 2017. The Owner, Christopher Stroup, is a U.S. Army combat veteran from North Carolina. I had the privilege of working with Christopher on a few projects. He’s incredibly knowledgeable in the sphere of combat tactics, yet humble and very down-to-earth. I know Chris well enough. He takes great pride in his work and wouldn’t design anything that he wouldn’t use to protect his own life.
The SD1 is a no-nonsense push dagger made from acid-washed 1095 steel and rock-textured G-10 handles. The non-serrated chisel blade is a piercing beast. I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end, that’s for sure. The blade is also covered in Stroup’s signature “hammer” texture, which they do by hand. It’s the little details!
If I were going to rely on one push dagger for the rest of my life, this would be a top contender. The G-10, asymmetrical handle offers the perfect amount of texture and control. You feel locked in. Unlike many other push daggers I’ve tested, the handle does a good job of keeping the side-to-side play to a minimum.
One of my only gripes about the SD1 is the thickness of the tang. I would like to see a thinner tang with slightly more chamfering. If you have meaty hands, this may not bother you, but I definitely felt some hot spots forming after a few test punches. Not that you’d notice minor hot spots while adrenaline is pumping through your veins… but it’s worth noting.
The kydex sheath retention is audible, crisp, and consistent. My only complaint in the sheath department would be that it takes up slightly more real estate on my belt than I would prefer.
How To Choose The Best Push Dagger
I’ve handled just about every production push dagger in today’s market. With that said, I can’t tell you how many of those push daggers were either too bulky/heavy or just uncomfortable to hold and train with. Of those that did feel natural in the hand, often the sheath fell short, limiting my carry options.
Before you pull the trigger on a new push dagger for self-defense, identify what criterion is most important for you. Is it weight? Concealability? Carry options? Piercing power? In-hand feel?
Overlooked features that can really make a difference in the best push dagger are chamfered/rounded tangs and sheath mounting options.
Factoring in clothing, also make sure to imagine how you’ll prefer to carry the blade.
Why do some push daggers have symmetrical handles and others asymmetrical?
A “Symmetrical” allows for an ambidextrous draw, which can be beneficial in scenarios in which your strong-arm is tied up.
On the other hand, “Asymmetrical” handles promote a dominant hand grip. You could make the case that they feel more comfortable, but it’s by a slim margin.
To be clear, a symmetrical handle doesn’t mean that the tang should fit between the second and third finger. After talking with several combat instructors, I can say that you should always hold a punch knife with your first two knuckles, keeping the tang of the push dagger between your first and second finger.
Why Trust Us?
Working at a major online knife retailer has allowed me to get hands-on with most production push daggers in today’s market. Although I may not be a licensed combat instructor, I’ve done my fair share of research and learned from some of the best in the self-defense community.
Final Thoughts
Push daggers have been around since medieval times and for good reason. They’re easily concealable, fast to deploy, difficult to disarm, and very lethal. Many instructors have made the argument that push daggers are one of the best choices for individuals with no self-defense training. As someone who is not trained in self-defense tactics, I would definitely agree with that. If you can throw a punch, you’ll be more than capable of doing serious damage with a punch knife.
If you’re wielding a “T”-shaped handle, an opponent would have a very difficult time trying to disarm you when compared to a standard fixed blade. The additional pushing power and confidence that you feel when wielding a push dagger is real, and I hope to see more people carrying them.
Just remember that the best knife is the one that you have on you. A 4” push dagger is cool until it collects dust in your drawer because you never end up carrying it. Be honest with yourself and your needs.
FAQ’s
Question: What are other names for push daggers?
Answer: Push daggers are also referred to as push knives, punch knives, punch daggers, T-back knives, palm knives, and push dirks. Rest assured, they all mean the same thing.
Question: Are push daggers effective?
Answer: Push daggers are effective for a multitude of reasons. They’re hard to disarm, easier to carry and conceal than most fixed blades, fast to access with one hand, and boast serious penetration power. Additionally, the power transfer from your hand to the blade is much more focused and controllable for those who are not trained in self-defense tactics. If you can punch, then you can do some serious damage.
Question: Are push daggers legal?
Answer: We highly recommend reaching out to your local law enforcement (and checking our State Knife Laws hub), as they can walk you through any requirements and restrictions. Most U.S. states allow the possession of push daggers but often have different rules on how you’re allowed to carry them. Don’t assume that you’re in the clear until you do your research. Don’t give law enforcement a reason to stop you, and carry responsibly.
