The Martialist: The Magazine For Those Who Fight Unfairly

SOG Desert Dagger

A Product Review by Phil Elmore

The Bride, a long, slim dagger strapped to her thigh, looks like a strung-out latter-day gunslinger in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill. The knife is a symbol – a nod to the Kung Fu flick wrapped in a Western revenge movie that is this bloody martial arts film. The Bride is Uma Thurman, of course. The knife is the superb Desert Dagger from SOG Specialty Knives.

The Desert Dagger, co-star of Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill.

This is not a utility knife. The Desert Dagger is an aggressive fighting tool, 6.25 inches of razor-sharp AUS6 stainless tapering to a needle point. I see the Desert Dagger as the SOG Pentagon's older brother – just as sleek, but larger and meaner. Unlike the Pentagon, the Desert Dagger includes a substantial steel guard to protect the hand.

The Desert Dagger feels great and moves eagerly.

As you would expect, the knife penetrates extremely well. The symmetrical point bites deeply and thrusts smoothly. In testing it cut through a variety of media, from stacked cardboard to plastic barrels. I conduct such tests while wandering about behind a series of discount stores in the area, stabbing and slashing at debris left at the dumpsters. The slim blade lacks belly for very deep slashing, but it's sharp and long enough to get the job done as a fighter.

Contrasting scallops frame the base of the Desert Dagger blade.

Like the Pentagon, the Desert Dagger has contrasting serrations. Specifically, the short serrated sections of the two edges differ in the size of the scallops. These cut well and bite easily for traction in line, rope, and cloth. They do hang up a little on deep thrusts, but it's easy to cut your way out as the resisting material is shredded.

With the knife sheathed, this flat butt is a hammer.

The Desert Dagger moves extremely well. It weighs in at a nice, light eight ounces. It's a foot overall with a point of balance about one inch below the guard, which means it sits nicely in the hand and flicks quickly through the air. The Kraton grip swells ergonomically, provides excellent traction, and is quite comfortable. The flat steel butt cap is substantial and could be used for pommel strikes and expedient hammering. (Obviously, you should keep it sheathed for safety when hammering.)

Factory issue "jump-rated" Kydex sheath.

Factory sheath on the belt.

The "jump-rated" Kydex sheath is fairly basic – a standard belt model with a snap-release belt loop and snap closure for the knife's handle. The plastic buckle used to thread the sheath on web gear is not removable unless you cut it free.

Snap closure belt loop and snap retainer. The plastic buckle is visible.

With no group of fellow assassins to hunt and no way to carry the Desert Dagger discreetly on my belt, I went to Bob at Survival Sheath for a solution. He suggested a shoulder rig, which I can use to carry the Desert Dagger under a shirt or jacket for a reasonably fast draw.

Bob at Survival Sheath suggested and made this handsome rig for me.

My shoulder rig for the Desert Dagger, put to its intended purpose.

The SOG Desert Dagger is a simple, even elegant fighting knife with clean lines and a self-evident design. It is also, in its way, a supporting actor in Kill Bill. This last should not be your primary reason for buying the knife, but it certainly helps bring the blade to the attention of a cross-section of potential buyers.

For killing Bill or just staying alive, this is a great tool with subtle style.