In close-quarters or worst-case scenarios, your last line of defense must be fast, intuitive, and effective – that’s precisely what the Skallywag Tactical D2 Dagger provides.

Skallywag Tactical is a veteran-owned business that specializes in self-defense and adventure-specific knives and tools. The team at Skallywag Tactical comprises former military and law enforcement personnel. They translate their experience and knowledge into precision-crafted knives designed to meet the needs of the most discerning military, law enforcement, and civilian users.

The D2 Dagger is Skallywag’s answer for a last-ditch, self-defense tactical knife intended to be easily concealed but rapidly deployed should the need arise.

Verdict up Front

The D2 Dagger is a compact yet mighty blade optimized for close-quarters personal defense. The compact size makes discreet carry a breeze, and the finger ring makes drawing the dagger from concealment easy to do under stress.

Best For: Discreet self-defense, off-hand retention, non-permissive environments

Not Ideal For: Utility tasks, heavy field use, legal-restricted zones

Skallywag Tactical D2 Dagger

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Specs & Materials

Design & Build Quality

It’s easy to understand the purpose and intent behind Skallywag Tactical’s design of the D2 Dagger.

This is a burly little self-defense dagger. The blade is precision-machined from a chunk of 1/4-inch-thick PVD-coated D2 steel and features full-tang construction. Despite the robust construction, the D2 Dagger weighs less than 3 ounces.

Skallywag Tactical enhanced the dagger’s piercing ability by grinding the blade edges at 40 degrees per side to create a following edge to the point. The edges of the blade are intentionally not sharp. The knife is designed to be a purely stabbing weapon, and maintaining a thick grind helps improve the blade’s tip strength and durability when piercing. Despite its thick edge, the knife remains quite sharp and can still cut.

The handle features a large retention ring, which allows rapid and secure drawing under stress. The finger ring is deliberately designed to be large enough to fit one or two fingers, even when wearing tactical gloves.

The sheath is injection molded with a single-row molle clip that also works well retaining the knife when carried inside the waistband (IWB). Retention on the sheath is excellent, with no rattle or movement when the blade is sheathed.

Can the D2 Dagger cut?

The wide grind of the D2 dagger means the edges aren’t technically sharp. I had my doubts but the blade can still do serious cutting. Check out Skallywag’s video to see for yourself.

Ergonomics & Handling

The D2 Dagger’s retention ring and handle shape make the knife incredibly secure when drawing or gripping the knife. The finger grooves on the tang provide a safe place for your index finger and thumb when holding the knife with a saber grip.

Drawing the knife in a reverse grip is equally fast and secure. The symmetrical design accommodates a variety of grips and draw methods, allowing for use with any carry or draw style.

Out of curiosity, I tried drawing and manipulating the D2 Dagger while wearing Mechanix gloves, and I appreciated the large retention ring. Drawing the knife gloved felt just as fast and secure as doing it bare-handed.

Between the balance of the blade and retention ring, the D2 Dagger feels like an extension of my body the moment I draw the knife.

Carry Options & Concealment

The D2 Dagger is designed to be highly versatile in its carrying method. The sheath fits snugly into a single molle slot, and the clip features a hook to keep the sheath in place when drawing the knife. I could see the D2 Dagger being an excellent self-defense dagger for military or law enforcement when mounted to a plate carrier.

The sheath features four extra holes. Two at each end of the sheath. These make an excellent location to mount a piece of paracord to retain the sheath or allow you to carry the knife horizontally on your belt.

For a backup or off-hand weapon, my preferred carry method is inside the waistband (IWB) on my weak side. Opposite, my appendix-carried pistol. The knife completely disappears when carried this way. It remains close to the body with no printing, but it’s easily accessed by my left or right hand, depending on the situation.

I’ve also carried the knife in my pocket, and it serves that purpose well. To draw the dagger, I pushed the sheath with my thumb to remove the knife. Quick and easy. A piece of paracord could also be attached to the sheath for retention while drawing from the pocket.

The D2 Dagger is so slim that you could easily carry it in the most common places where one might carry a knife. Whatever your preferred carry method, the high-quality sheath can be adapted to suit your needs.

Pros & Cons

The Skallywag D2 Dagger is a specialized tactical dagger with a retention ring. It is purpose-built for discreet last-ditch self-defense. In that role, it excels. It is not a knife designed for utility tasks and wouldn’t be the best choice for that purpose.

Pros

• Extremely compact and discreet
• D2 steel = sharp and durable
• Ring retention = secure and fast draw
• Purpose-built for last-resort defense

Cons

• Not useful for utility tasks
• It may be illegal in some jurisdictions (Check your local laws)

Is the Skallywag D2 Dagger Worth it for Personal Defense?

The Skallywag D2 Dagger is an excellent choice for those seeking a discreet, retention-secure blade. The tactical ring dagger design means drawing and retaining the knife under stress is extremely easy—an essential factor for a last-ditch self-defense knife.

The robust dagger blade design and durable D2 steel make the D2 Dagger well-suited for stabbing or piercing during a self-defense situation.

The D2 Dagger is a specialized, concealed carry dagger designed for one purpose: surviving a self-defense situation. For that purpose, the Skallywag Tactical D2 Dagger is an ideal choice whether you’re military, law enforcement, or civilian.

Skallywag Tactical D2 Dagger

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