This Dagger Has One Purpose | The Skallywag D2 Dagger 

Go check out the dagger at www.skallywagtactical.com/

The skull is effectively a prolate ellipsoid. It gets its strength by flexing slightly and allowing the energy being put into it to dissipate around the surface. Once you introduce a crack or puncture into that surface you're creating a point beyond which the stresses can't dissipate so you're limiting the area and introducing a weak point which will be likely to crack or split further when more force is applied. Long story short, once you've punched one hole in the skull, or even just cracked it, you're making it easier for subsequent hits to punch through as well.

As a knife guy I can confirm that I'm super weird.

the Feldmesser 81 is my go to knife. its large and bulky, but still fits inside most pants. it has the bonus that i looks like i know how to use it from a "military background" instead of the butterfly of "flick" knife most street punks use.

The saying “you’re most likely to hurt yourself with a dull blade” comes from the trades where knives are used a lot like in the culinary field And I can attest that this is a fact that you will definitely increase the odds of cutting yourself from a slip caused by having to apply more force to complete the cut and that’s if a part of your body is located in the vicinity beneath or behind to the object your working on with the knife So yes I could see why this could also apply to a defensive or offensive situation with a knife Now that being said if your talking about protecting or taking a life then you definitely would benefit from having as sharp a blade as possible to make that task not only quicker but just easier to accomplish in general

I love the last 2 minutes or so is some mortal combat finishes

At the end, I just hear that song from Office Space's printer scene playing... lol

Love mine.

Hmmm, What is that vest? I need one

He's definitely right. A ton of knife guys are bizarre. This particular model is not for me. That dagger is a 4 to 1 configuration. 4 times as long as wide. That is an an ancient design for a great many stone projectile and hunting points for ease of penitration without breaking. I'll give it that. That handle though...

Being more likely to hurt yourself with a dull blade than a sharp blade is 100% true but I'm pretty sure that saying is referring to cooking knives not self defense lol

Your cinematography and style appear to be ever-improving, that was fun to watch.

Mike with weapons is where he's really in his element.

The spinning kick to the dagger in the skull was a real life fatal blow

honestly, do you talk to your neighbors? do they avoid you? are they fans of your videos? I'm super interested. and the knife stuff was great as always. thanks Mike

I consider myself a knife person and I think what you want from an EDC knife and a self defence knife are really quite different. Yes there is some crossover but they have different main purposes, but sometimes people try apply the ideas from one to the other. Sometimes it is helpful like one handed opening methods, other times is it just flare so people can show off to their friends.

I prefer a sharpened edge on a self defence knife for two reasons. Like you I’ve found through live cutting that a reverse grip allows for much more ease in power generation. An edge allows for two things. The ability to “cut out” of a stab with a ripping motion, as well as the ability to perform pull cuts when the tip has gone past the target/on stab retraction.

It's struck me that I could make a reasonable substitute by taking a stainless steel pair of scissors, and taking them apart. I'd end up with two concealable defence knives. Make a couple of simple sheaths, Bob's your Uncle 😀

This is absolutely true. I prefer a reverse grip for a self defense role, so I can put up my hands like a boxer or keeping it in a hidden grip so I'm not obvious that I'm armed and can possibly put it away without having to use it if possible and go my own way without incident.

Mike’s grappling is getting pretty good much to his own chagrin

Knife guys are weird 🤣 Mike personally attacked me

Although I like the lightweight aluminum, I still think their best blade is the MDV. It's one of my favorite in the rotation for IWB fixed blades.

I'm set to start taking welding classes soon, things will be rough as I try to balance a full tike job, online college and nightime welding classes. The thing that will keep me going is knowing that in four or five months I can start buying all the cool gear IcyMike reviews.

Boarding axes might be difficult to pass off as self defence.

I can't be the only one replaying that spin kick right? That shit was badass.

"and nothing makes a guy rethink what he's doing, like getting stabbed in the face." Underrated statement, right there.

To add more grip to your sheath, put a ranger band/cut bicycle tube around the kydex portion of the sheath, underneath the clip. This way the sheath stays put, on your shorts, with less chance of a failed draw. If interested, I can make a quick vid. Great content as always!

I as a chef can confirm youre most definetly hurt yourself much much easier with a dull blade but, Im gonna go out on a limb here and say that those circumstances are not the same.

I have carried the SOCP dagger, which is very similar in design, but much slimmer so that you can handle a firearm without stowing the knife. I think the Skallywag looks pretty great too. I think if I were carrying a gun too, I'd still rather have the SOCP, but if I'm just carrying a knife (more everyday) I think I'd rather have the Skallywag. For an EDC knife that you can use for practical things, passes blade length rules, and still fights well, I swear by the Gerber FAST 06 with a tanto point. I've been carrying that for almost 20 years all over everywhere and have never found better for all purpose. I prefer the reverse grip for a lot of reasons. I think slashing attacks are not as reliable as stabbing and stabbing is way easier/more reliable in a reverse grip. In my experience (on dummies) the most reliable way to do the most damage is to stab and rip/tear out, which is easier with a reverse grip. I also like the reverse grip a lot of the clinch/trap applications found across dirty boxing systems. (For me it feels very reminiscient of the fook sao -- hooking hand -- in Wing Chun.) The Skallywag is broad with a relatively steep taper such that its more like a spearhead or an arrowhead than a knife in a lot of ways -- optimized for piercing. That thing is purpose built for going through clothes (including multi layers and tough materials like leather) and the skull. Finally, kicking the knife further into the head with a scorpion kick wins you this year's Winter Soldier Award from the weird knife guy association. Well done. Beautiful work. (Not being sarcastic.)

The D2 is going to beat the skull everytime, the Aluminum would have been a harder challenge for the Dagger. If you want to bling out carry the Damascus. I like that they have taken the EDC truism: that if something is heavy or akward, it will not be an EDC, to it's ultimate conclusion.

I really appreciate the practical testing, and this tool seems good for its very narrow intent of purpose. I give Skallywag credit for offering an affordable training model (kershaw, spyderco, for instance have very expensive trainers). On the retention tests though, especially when it's on you vest, it seems like the attacker has even better access to it. I'd like to see tests where the attacker goes for the dagger as soon as they notice it.

I’m really glad you’re reviewing this. I do armed security and this conceals very nicely behind the pouch on my vest. I’m very big on not looking like the over zealous security guard and also not carrying anything I won’t actually need. I had a debate with a coworker of mine who carried a very large Amazon special fixed blade on his vest. He asked my opinion and I expressed that it was ridiculous. He’s more likely to be hurt by that knife, also looks really unprofessional and tacticool. Surprisingly he was actually open minded instead of being offended. I pointed him towards the dagger which he never noticed i carried. What I really love about it is that it’s very “oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck!” Granted although you should always seek training, but the dagger is super nice to have even without the training. You just stick em, and make space.

Dude, you are turning me into a total Skallywag fan boy. Now if I just had the funds.

Love the video. I bought a Skallywag knife on your recommendation a while back and I love it, it comes with me practically everywhere. I will say that depending on the laws in your area, you may need to be able to argue that the knife you are carrying is for a purpose other than self defense. In that case, a purpose build anti-person spike may not be the best choice.

That's why I use a clinch pick or a disciple from Shivworks. Or if I want one that has more utility I use a gryphon boot knife, same design since the early 90's and they still sell them, just a better steel now. Trying to access a folder under pressure is way too hard, I've accidentally just thrown the thing a few times.

Based on my limited anecdotal experiences and military experience, I found the SOCP dagger concept pretty convincing, and I keep one on my chest rig front and center. To reiterate, the SOCP concept is a "get off me" tool in case I get tangled up during close quarters social work. About a year after I added this to my rig, my old friend (who is retired sf) mentioned that he was in the SOCP program before he retired, and he had the same response. I hope I never have to use it, but the narrow concept is doctrinally sound.

Neighbors: "Mike, are we still on for the BBQ laterrrr... ooh.. oh my. I'll come back later. Enjoy your recording."

I wasn't expecting to see the mortal kombat finisher on hard2hurt, but I am not disappointed in the slightest

Watched the whole video! I'm getting one of these daggers in aluminum and the axe! Hurry Santa!

@hard2hurt The target at the beginning of the video was a bit strange. To transfer force, you need to exchange energy. The lighter and less fixed the target, the quicker and snappier the stab should be to exchange energy with it. Otherwise, the target will bounce away. I haven't seen any threat from anything resembling this target, as it represents... What? An "angry bird"? If we're talking about people or animals in the comparable weight range, then the target might be more substantial in weight, have a more resistant outer layer, and have some resistance to make it move. I mean, if you are not trying to stab a hanged, flayed person for the sake of it. I hope you're not. :) I've seen several targets a bit closer to something that might represent danger. One would be something that could be loosely translated as "porkshirt" -- a big chunk of pork with skin and ribs layered with a t-shirt and some jeans/jacket/sweatshirt/whatever. It hangs on a rope and has a stick fixed from its back with a partner moving that porkshirt around using this stick to make it harder to hit and to give it more resistance so it would resemble a collision of the blade with a body more closely. To make it even closer to "reality," you can use a bunch of methods to make it physically and mentally harder. After some tests, you may (or may not) change how you see the damage that can be realistically done to a target. I can make a couple different targets and bring them to one of your seminars, or something similar if you'd want to.

50 bucks for the aluminum one I see. I'm tempted. Beautiful blue color as well. Wonder how it stacks up against the Benchmade SOCP. (Same price as the D2 version.) Just got a Benchmade version of a ka bar tdi style pistol grip blade, Azeria (formerly HK Plan D). Is a wharncliffe with a reverse tanto shape. After listening to the designer of the Spyderco Yojimbo, how a wharπcliffe is a great self defense blade for slicing w/o giving up any ability to spear something. Curious what you would give such a self defense tool out of 10.

Had the misfortune of being in a couple and seeing several knife attacks/fights. The reverse grip is easier to defend against. Most time a couple pokes or a few slashes will take care of the situation. First one I ever seen was in a bar. A little old man stabbed up my buddy. Luckily the guy gauged the knife w his thumb and didn't give him the whole blade. Looked like pieces of bubble gum stuck to his chest where the fat or muscle popped out. Lot of blood in a knife fight. Everything is slippery. That goes for the grip on your knife to your footing. There is really no way you can train well for a real knife fight. You should. It helps. But it's way different when you get in em. Your first knife fight is probably gonna be like the first time you had sex times 10. It's surreal, everything moves really fast, and it's over before you know it

I love your videos man. You've forced me to rethink everything I think I know about self defense. Cheers

Wouldn't a sharp slicing implement be better than a stabbing implement for a defense situation? Stopping someone with stabbing seems to require more strength and/or precision to hit a spot that will end the attack. A sharp knife is going to have a better chance of severing important arm/finger/leg tendons or arteries. Also, stabbing seems to risk getting the weapon stuck in something that's difficult to retrieve it from.

cool, but I'm deffinetly not giving that to anyone who doesn't know stuff about knifes right after that butterfly

You're video just made me realize I have no idea where my skallywag is located.

People think of giant 2 handed weapons ending most knights in shining armor. But at least 50% of knight fights ended up grappling and stabbing with piercing dagger. Except in like pike formations. Even when you watch hema the 2nd half is them all hugging the minority left and everyone cheap shots um to death.

Can confirm that hard use makes you quickly reconsider your knife selection. I used to edc a Tops street scalpel, until a friend had me reverse grip it and hit a pork shoulder. Hand went right down onto the blade, fortunately he had prepared me for this and I was wearing a glove that held. I switched over to a Toor Jank Shank, the geometry prevents slippage and the ring lets me keep it in my hand while doing other things (e.g. clearing a jammed pistol)

I use the Benchmade SOCP Dagger as my EDC and it's a similar shape and size. Great video as usual!

There's a reason why in HEMA, you notice that the cutty things are held in a regular grip, whereas stabby daggers get held in a reverse grip

Ahahahah, the fade to black with brutal splashing and crunching noises just brought joy into my heart. Great video, Mike.

I remember watching a video of some old commandos from WW2 talking about the Fairbairn Sykes knife, if I recall accurately one of the veterans was talking about one of his squad who challenged their CO on the front versus backhand grip. The CO demonstrated that the front grip (the blade extended past the thumb rather than hammerfist style past the pinky) was the best way to actually kill an enemy, then immediately had the squaddie removed from the commandos because he challenged the CO instead of obeying orders even in training. I too, find the backhand grip as more secure and easier to conceal but I do question if it's completely dependant on the knife being used. I pretty much only carry Pukka knives and the bulkier blade would be difficult to slide through ribs but is a great slasher.

Yo Mike, great video as usual but what's your opinion on combining ITF Taekwondo and Boxing?

Here, melee weapons laws change slightly from city to city, but there is one thing that is pretty much everywhere. You are not allowed to conceal a knife. So this kind of knife is actually not what is best for self defence in Québec. The concealable part is a serious drawback and can get you in trouble. Also, blade lenght is limited to 10cm, unless you habe a justifiable reason (self defence is not one). You would be allowed to go do some cutting with swords in a park, if you are able to establish a safe perimeter and you are not asked to leave. Sport is a justifiable reason. To be sure though, when we do decide to do cutting, we call the municipality and tell them where and when, which ensure we can train in peace. In veicles, it is the contrary, they have to not be visible, unless you got a justifiable reason (self defence is not justifiable). So yes, since laws are about the blade and concealement, a good grip is something you might want in Québec. On an other note, showing that you are ready for violence is very often the best way to avoid violence. Thus if allowed, showing your knife is a significantly better defence in most scenarios than hiding it. People are much much less likely to try their shit on someone with a visible knife. Having a concealed knife is only good for those up to mischief, those that live where showing it isn't allowed and those likely to end in situations where a visible knife could be grabed by someone else. Everyobe else should diplay the knife it is simply safer.

All you need now is like a big round shield, a helmet, a boat and places to go and you can basically become a modern viking 😂 (to any commenters, you know which ones, this is an over simplification of what defines a viking because im not gonna write a full essay for a light hearted comment 😂)

That’s a modified kunai (Japanese digging tool that was modified into a double edge knife that resembles the large digging tool in shape during the ninja craze of the 80’s ), pretty cool knife though 😎🤙

Love all Skallywag products. As a long term Skallywag tactical fan that own many of their knives, I approved they are really good!

Interesting knife I carry it a karambit that happens to be Damascus just because I love Damascus it goes good with my cowboy setup

Dude... that spin hook kick driving it through was just sick! Ha!

Love your videos and your style : )

"Nothing makes. guy re-think what he is doing like getting stabbed in the face." - Quote of the decade LOL

Little late to the party, but I am fairly certain that once the first breach is made that all subsequent ones are easier. I have no information on real skulls, but simulation ones pretty consistent.

15:30 all I saw was FATALITY. Curious, are the bones on the gel model the same density/toughness as real bone? If so that's crazy how easily that went through.

That damascus one is a beauty! I really wish they would make a nice fat bowie though. Most modern bowies are too slim.

Correction stab at face lololol

Fade to black serenaded by the sounds of horrific, squelchy violence. The content we've come to expect from Mike.

As a kungfu guy who does hammer fists all the time...WHO IS OUT THERE SAYING REVERSE GRIP IS BAD?!?!?!I TS LITERALLY HAMMER FIST WITH A FOCUSED POINT OF IMPACT INSTEAD OF YOUR HAND! How could that be worse than a straight jab except you can't really jab and have to point your hand downward?

That transition definitely blew my mind! Slipping your arm out and sliding the gun to you back; amazing! 6:36

when I look at old paintings of knights using daggers they're almost always using the reverse/overhand grip. Also this looks almost identical to some old throwing knives I used to have.

I knew before the box was even opened that it would be an axe.

It looks like a desent carry knife option! I would like to buy it some day! It is kinda a Benchmade SOCP analog.

Now I train with a knife every day and I'm not hitting a phone ball I'm hitting 4 by 4 posts and I'll put a video on here maybe little help but I've been training with knives since I was 7 years old so I'll put a video on You're knife holding in the back end position like you are you should just be punching it out just like a jab OK and underhand position you should be using it like a left hook or a right hook I'll make a video I guess you're a lot more power in the up in the downswing

fairly certain this is a CQC tool... Spartan Blades makes one I own.

"Nothing makes a guy rethink what he is doing like getting stabbed in the face" That's an absolute fact right there.

Great video! Glad I found your channel. Was starting to wonder when I’d find something worth watching lol

With the Spinning Hook Kick!!! For the win!

I’m more of a cutter than a stabber for self defense. Of course I’m super weird. I feel like a jury is less freaked out by cuts than stabs. I also like the idea of cutting important structures and connective stuff like tendons and major muscles like quads. Hopefully I never get to test it but I train mostly,cutting when on the feet and mostly stabbing on the ground. Anyway, thanks and be safe

Absolutely I used to Stab boxes for fun and I noticed that reverse grip works way better on any target with lots of give

front/hammergrip for slashing/hooking/digging into meat. back/icepick grip for deep penetration damage/force. for me, putting my index finger along the flat of the blade helps for front grip as well

I've been carrying a Benchmade SOCP absolutely every day for years now. The serrated version is very useful for daily needs, too. I love these types of knives. Good to learn about these Scallywags. Nice alternative. Looks like they also make a nice-looking version of the discontinued Gerber Mark II.

You will be in ABSOLUTE Trouble with your DISTRICT ATTORNEY If you hit somebody with a knife in the face UNLESS you ABSOLUTELY can justify it (you can prove with the slightest doubt you were being attacked and were at risk of death or great bodily harm) !

Those daggers are made of grandma chicken scissors... 10-13 inches of blade for cutting chicken legs...

Um that sideways stuff is a kill. And you just disarmed yourself... except for the axe 🪓 So glad you went chopping for these things...

Skallywag is fantastic. Nobody makes designs like they do. I like the blade in this video a lot. However, I wanted to take a moment to comment on how Skallywag isn’t really pricing this product fairly. It’s D2 steel and a polymer sheath. Nothing fancy. Effective, but not fancy. It should be $80. Not over 100 like it is. Regardless, I’d still save some money to buy one because it’s a fantastic design. Oh and it’d be nice if Skallywag would finally make a stainless version. PLEASE. ☺️

"american south", south of usa... unrelated to south america. you united statians are funny sometimes. xD

I can hear the knife guys screaming at their monitors already: "It's CaLLeD aN IcEPicK gRip BrO!" stfu, it's the Michael Meyers grip and you know it!

Mike, I don’t understand why you study ground fighting and are getting into knives, the problem with grappling changes dramatically when a weapon is included you need to study HEMA, FMA, or combat Sambo.

1st : that spinning kick to drive the dagger in the skull is F***g badass... 2nd the stand is actually making it easier to transfer force. a normal human would be more wobbly

Having butchered tons of animals during my life, an extremely sharp knife is essential for that. I can’t speak for combat though.

Cool, but I can probably fashion something similar for a few bucks vs $60.00.

Mike, I know that this is a dumb question and everything, but you're a crazy guy who's also logical. Ok. I'm done sugarcoating. There was this hunter in Wyoming named C. Dale Peterson. He killed a full grown, attacking Grizzly Bear with nothing but his bare hands and teeth. Because of something like this, do you think that a well enough trained martial artist can beat a bear?

Will you really be able to put it in someone's head? That's cruel 😬🤢 Leg ok, arm, maybe back, but head....

I'm betting money that kicking a knife sticking out of someone's skull shows up in an upcoming martial arts movie...John Wick 5 maybe.

I don't think ballistic dummy bones are 1:1 human bone. I know gel isn't. It's just calibrated to a certain standard. We use 10% gel in America, but uk uses 20% iirc

I'd be really curious what you think about Shivwork reversed cutting edge knife.

Fwiw, as a knife guy, you're a head-hunting puncher. You do not need to, nor would you likely, try to stab a guy in the face. The head is a target that moves, with knives you go for the body or "defang the snake"; ie target the hands and arms.

MGS3 confirmed real shit. Knife and gun combo OP please nerf.

Really hardcore people aren't afraid of the cutting edge, they're afraid of the point. It only takes 2-3 inches to reach the aorta. It's a GTF off me blade. You shove that point in a bad guy's throat, neck or chest, they're in deep trouble.

“Yea officer so after I stuck my knife in his face and he didn’t fall over I roundhouse kicked the knife into his skull.” So why’s his head eviscearated.” “Well I couldn’t pull my knife out of his skull so I grabbed my axe and went kratos on his face until I found it”

It would really help if you were using a knife and it would also help if you were holding the grip right