The Skallywag D2 Dagger: A Modern Self-Defence Tool Explained
The world of self-defense is vast, encompassing everything from hand-to-hand combat techniques to weapons of varying sizes and complexities. Today, we’re delving into modern self-defence methods focusing on a tool that’s been around since prehistory: the dagger. And not just any dagger, but the Skallywag D2 Dagger recently showcased by the YouTube channel Hard2Hurt. Helmed by Icy Mike, Hard2Hurt is a trusted source when it comes to self-defense, martial arts, and everything in between. In a recent video, Mike introduced us to the Skallywag D2 Dagger, an intriguing tool that effortlessly blends tradition and technology. The Skallywag D2: Not Your Run-Of-The-Mill Dagger Promoting a slightly unorthodox approach, Mike suggests that certain grips provide more control and damage potential. He argues that Hollywood might cause us to envision dagger use being a simple job. But, when trying to strike a moving target that is inevitably resisting, it becomes much more complex. One of the main insights Icy Mike offers is that movie-esque reverse grips aren’t as effective as a forward grip when it comes to delivering a powerful stab. People usually underestimate how these tools perform in their hand upon impact. Therefore, before considering a dagger for self-defense, he recommends practice by actually striking something with it. Portability and Concealment Size indeed matters when it comes to self-defence tools, especially if you need to carry them around for prolonged periods. A large, chunky grip might make usage feel better but may hamper concealment. The Skallywag D2 Dagger offers a neat solution: a slim, almost non-existent grip that’s not necessarily made for extended usage but shines in its portability. Impact vs. Sharpness Another revelation from Mike’s demo is the reality about sharp blades: they increase the risk of self-infliction. The D2 Dagger isn’t razor-sharp, but it is sharp enough to be very effective when used with force. Mike emphasizes that blades are overrated; the true determinant of a blade’s effectiveness is not its edge, but how it is wielded. To Carry or Not to Carry One important aspect to remember is that Icy Mike doesn’t necessarily advocate carrying a dagger around for self-defense. He emphasizes that a certain level of training and comfort with the weapon is essential before considering it a viable self-defense tool. Moreover, the ideal self-defense scenario is one where you never have to use the weapon. Going For The Kill? Harder Than You Think Mike tests and reveals a grim reality: embedding a dagger deep into an opponent’s skull, for example, might not be practical or feasible in a high-stress encounter. This knowledge, while stark and brutal, underscores the importance of realistic expectations and training when wielding such a weapon for self-defense. In conclusion, the Skallywag D2 Dagger presents an interesting mix of some old and new ideas in the self-defense realm. Combining the traditional form of a dagger with modern adaptability, it exemplifies how we can revisit old concepts with a fresh perspective to increase efficiency and usefulness. However, despite its many appealing features, it’s essential to approach it with an understanding of its limitations and use it responsibly.Blablabla
Hard2Hurt is a popular YouTube channel by Icy Mike who exhibits real-world self-defense and fight training tactics. Mike, a former law enforcement officer, emphasizes the practical application of martial arts. He leverages his field experience to offer viewers techniques that are effective, realistic, and suitable for real-life situations.
Self-Defence Block
Go check out the dagger at https://www.skallywagtactical.com/
They call knives like that “bone crushers” in prison. We find inmate made weapons that look like those with same purpose
Ooooh, that was cold Mike. Some might even say icy…
Will aluminum punch through a skull?
At 15:40, do you think the guy's ok? Like, maybe he would need some treatment? Maybe surgery?
😲
Why not just use a spike then?
Maybe this ring simulate a complete gripp and you can holt it with your full hand.. Like a showing stick what the thing is for fencingsport. I see common grips from other places. Its not the fill contact all in stabby stabby. Its more to keep agressors away from you.. Its a theory. I am not a fighter
@hard2hurt The target at the beginning of the video was a bit strange.
To transfer force, you need to exchange energy. The lighter and less fixed the target, the quicker and snappier the stab should be to exchange energy with it. Otherwise, the target will bounce away.
I haven't seen any threat from anything resembling this target, as it represents… What? An "angry bird"?
If we're talking about people or animals in the comparable weight range, then the target might be more substantial in weight, have a more resistant outer layer, and have some resistance to make it move. I mean, if you are not trying to stab a hanged, flayed person for the sake of it. I hope you're not. 🙂
I've seen several targets a bit closer to something that might represent danger.
One would be something that could be loosely translated as "porkshirt" — a big chunk of pork with skin and ribs layered with a t-shirt and some jeans/jacket/sweatshirt/whatever. It hangs on a rope and has a stick fixed from its back with a partner moving that porkshirt around using this stick to make it harder to hit and to give it more resistance so it would resemble a collision of the blade with a body more closely.
To make it even closer to "reality," you can use a bunch of methods to make it physically and mentally harder.
After some tests, you may (or may not) change how you see the damage that can be realistically done to a target.
I can make a couple different targets and bring them to one of your seminars, or something similar if you'd want to.
If I have to use this i'm going for soft spots
What gloves do you use in your kit?
Neighbors 👁👄👁
Having butchered tons of animals during my life, an extremely sharp knife is essential for that. I can’t speak for combat though.
Try placing the knife inside your fly parallel to the belt with part of the ring sticking out (or not at all). It's frustrating to see how you have to use both hands to get to the blade. And you may not have both hands available in that particular moment.
Skallywag is fantastic. Nobody makes designs like they do. I like the blade in this video a lot. However, I wanted to take a moment to comment on how Skallywag isn’t really pricing this product fairly. It’s D2 steel and a polymer sheath. Nothing fancy. Effective, but not fancy. It should be $80. Not over 100 like it is.
Regardless, I’d still save some money to buy one because it’s a fantastic design.
Oh and it’d be nice if Skallywag would finally make a stainless version. PLEASE. ☺️
I’d also like to say this is one of my favorite H2H vids 😎🍻
Mike slash a piece of pig , that did good damage
you are more likely to hurt yourself worse with a dull tool, trying to carve wood or slice food with a dull blade is how i got my most painful cuts – cuts from a sharp blade heal faster and cleaner. however I wouldn't want my stabbing implement to have sharp edges if my hand goes anywhere near that edge in a fight, the point is probably sharp enough to do its job. different tools have different purposes, getting a single edc knife for self defense and tool use is not really a thing, you always compromise one or the other.
15:18 New Fatality Mk1 Confirmed!!!!??!
Scallywag products are a big red flag there’s some knives made of the same materials that are priced with insane differences. Very vague descriptions like made for military lol looks like garbage
It really comes down to if you're ok sticking someone like that because, if not you might be the one getting it stuck in you. I'd rather work with a counselor than a physical therapist personally 👍🏾