Episode 674 of The Knife Junkie Podcast is a deep look at daggers—one of the most discussed and most misunderstood blade categories in the knife community. Bob DeMarco brings out twelve daggers for a collection update that covers everything from a World War II-era KA-BAR/EK Commando Knife to a Microtech SBD trade pickup he had been hunting for years.

The lineup includes the Randall Knives Model 2-7 Combat Stiletto, Cold Steel Peace Keeper II, Spartan Harsey Dagger, Spartan George Raider Dagger, and the Cold Steel Tai Pan in San Mai, among others. Bob talks grip technique, blade geometry, what Cold Steel gets right about the slash, and why some daggers are better suited to thrusting while others handle both jobs well.

Before the dagger segment, Bob runs a pocket check from a real working day—assembling a shed in the backyard—featuring the Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight in S110V, the Fisher Blades Harvey PK, the Edgy American Blades Junkie in CruWear, and a Cold Steel Laredo Bowie that was standing by just in case. The episode also features the First Tool segment on the Scottish Highland basket-hilt broadsword, covering its role in the Jacobite risings and its significance to Highland culture since the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

The State of the Collection segment features a custom seax from Matt Chase of Hogtooth Knives—pattern-welded from 1085, 15N20, and nickel, with elk antler and Micarta scales and a hand-engraved leather sheath—that Bob called his unofficial Blade Show purchase for 2026. Bob also shows off a six-knife Cordura carrying case and hand-thrown stoneware mug from Terzuola Design, sent by merch czar Ben Odi.

Knife Life News covers Spyderco Reveal 21 highlights, including a Mickey Yurco Gunting collaboration, the CRKT Squid II with M390 and wood handles, the Boker Overnighter by FP Knives, and the upcoming Civivi Almaris slipjoint.

Whether you are a longtime dagger collector or just starting to pay attention to double-edged blades, Episode 674 gives you a thorough and entertaining look at why this category deserves a place in any serious collection. Bob wraps up with plans to keep growing the dagger side of his collection, so this is not the last time the topic comes up.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/674.

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