Dagger makers you like?

[Brandon M]

Are there any dagger makers in particular you like? I know there are over 100 makers for some daggers. It's interesting to see all the different maker marks too.

I'm a new collector, I just recently ordered some medals. I plan on purchasing some daggers when money permits. I will definitely buy a book when the time is near, just to get a good feel for all that's available.

[Rich Yankowski]

I'm not too particular,I like them all!

[Brian S]

I think the opposite question might be easier to answer... But what's not to like?

[Skipper Greenwade]

To some extent, it depends on the model of dagger. Just about all of the Waffenfabriken turned out a nice product - especially in the early years. Carl Eickhorn is a perennial favorite, due in no small measure their consistent quality and the amount of advertising the firm did to achieve solid name recognition.

That said, I have my favorites based on the particular dagger(s) we're talking about. For Navy daggers, I have always liked WKC. Arguably, the most desirable Navy dagger is a WKC-produced piece with a deep orange grip, hammered scabbard and the sailing-ship pattern, double engraved blade.

For Army daggers, I like E. Pack (especially the really large trademarked pieces) and Alcoso. Puma also made one helluva Army dagger.

Lufwaffe daggers by SMF and Puma are nice as are the ones from Eickhorn.

The early SA daggers by Haenel and J.P. Sauer usually have really nice wooden grips which often sets them apart, but any of the really early, maker-marked SA's in solid, uncleaned condition can have me swooning in no time!

Many dagger patterns were only produced by one or two makers. The TENO daggers - both EM and Leader pattern pieces - were produced solely by Eickhorn. For all the variety we see in the manufacturers of the HJ hiking knife, there were only two manufacterers of the HJ Leader's dagger, Eickhorn and Horster, with Horster being the more common. The Postal Protection Leader's dagger was produced exclusively by Paul Weyersberg. I think Eickhorn was the sole producer of the Second Model (1938) Railway dagger, but that may not be the case...I certainly don't recall seeing one by any other maker.

Bottom line, I usually make a decision an a pending dagger purchase based on condition and, to some extent, price. The maker would probably be about the fourth criteria I would consider.

Good luck with your dagger collecting!
Skip

[Brandon M]

Thanks for your detailed post, Skipper!

Something I find encouraging, is that even though I'm a newbie to daggers and German collecting in general, I have sensed most Eickhorns I seen online were pretty good quality. Perhaps I have good instincts!

'm not particularly fond of the Eickhorn squirrel logo, although I don't hate it either.

I know Sauer was/is a gun maker also, and it's reasoned that their daggers will have nicer grips because of that. But I've seen some Sauer SA grips that weren't particularly good looking.

I think you're right about judging on condition and price, who made it isn't a big concern if it's nice. I sensed this too, guess I should just keep on trusting my instinct! Sure nice to have an expert like you comment on things!

-Brandon