Knife vs Dagger
The difference between knife and dagger is mostly in the purpose for which they are used. What is that comes to your mind when someone mentions dagger, or you read the word somewhere? Is it treachery or cowardice or the act of killing someone stealthily? Irrespective of the fact that daggers are collectibles today, and you get one in an amount in which you can buy several good quality knives, daggers do not have a role or importance in daily life as knives that are the lifeline of any kitchen. The similarities between a knife and a dagger only exist in their looks. They have altogether different purposes and importance in our lives as will be clear after reading this article.
What is a Knife?
A knife is a cutting tool that usually has a blade and handle. A traditional knife usually has one cutting edge as it is meant for kitchen use. Knife is one of the most ancient tools man has used. Nowadays, the blade of the knife is made of steel whereas, in the past, they were made of various materials such as bone and rock. In the market, you can find knives made for different purposes. For example, if you take a butter knife, it has a flat blade that is not sharp. It is used to spread butter on your toast. As butter is not such a hard thing to cut, the butter knife does not need to have a sharp blade. Then, there are different types of knives such as boning knife, bread knife, oyster knife, chef’s knife, etc.
A knife is a distant cousin of a dagger as it has a similar design, but it is meant for innocent cutting and chopping of vegetables and meat in a kitchen, not killing a person. In fact, in modern times, there are knives that are double edged just like a dagger. Even a knife can be called a dagger if it has similar characteristics.
What is a Dagger?
One can describe a dagger as a double edged blade, unlike a knife that is mostly edged on one side. Dagger is used for stabbing as it has a very sharp front and a narrow blade that penetrates the human skin easily as it has been sharpened on both sides. A dagger also has a groove down the middle to help blood of the victim flow. It is clear from the description that a dagger is a special type of knife that is meant for purposes other than cutting and chopping as is the case with knives. A dagger is a thrusting weapon that is always kept in a sheath and has been employed for murders since centuries.
Dagger has earned a bad name for itself as many heroes and great characters of history have been killed using daggers. This is because daggers are lighter and more compact. They are easy to conceal on one’s person. One can carry them to all places without the fear of getting caught. However, a bad reputation has not stopped people from collecting daggers, and there are highly priced daggers from history that have been sported by people. Stiletto and push dagger are considered as types of daggers.
What is the difference between Knife and Dagger?
People are confused between a dagger and a knife because of similarities in shape and size.
• Design:
The most notable difference lies in the design.
• A dagger has both of its edges sharpened.
• Knives have one side sharpened. However, these days there are many knives that have both edges sharpened.
• Sharp point:
• A sharp point is prerequisite in a dagger to inflict wounds.
• Knife does not have a sharp point as it is meant for household chorus in the kitchen.
• Purpose:
The design of the two tools is because of their purposes.
• A dagger is meant for inflicting wounds.
• Knives are primarily meant for use in kitchens only. However, in a time of emergency, you can use a knife as a weapon to defend yourself.
• Types:
• There are different types of daggers such as stiletto and push dagger.
• There are different types of knives too such as bread knife, boning knife, chef’s knife, oyster knife, etc.
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