Dermot Dagger

This striking new dagger pays homage to Dermot “Pat” O’Neill, the legendary Irish-born soldier and combatives instructor who helped shape modern close-quarters battle. A veteran of both World Wars, O’Neill served with the Canadian Army and became the chief hand-to-hand combat instructor for the First Special Service Force—the famed “Devil’s Brigade.” He emphasized ruthless efficiency, knife work, and the use of the V-42 stiletto in combat. The Dermot Dagger carries forward his legacy, blending historical inspiration with modern steel and design.

We’ve taken the spirit of the V-42 dagger—issued to the Devil’s Brigade under O’Neill’s instruction—and refined it for today. Slightly shorter and sleeker, built with the best modern steels, the Dermot Dagger honors its roots while being ready for the next fight.

Specifications

• Overall Length: 9.5"

• Blade Length: 5"

• Blade Style: Double-Edged Spearpoint

• Blade Thickness: .187"

• Heat Treatment: Optimized per steel for maximum toughness and edge retention

• Sheath: Low-profile ambidextrous Kydex sheath with multiple clip options

Blade Materials & Finishes

• Magnacut – Tumbled or Black Oxide finish, hardened to 63 HRc

• CPM 3V – Nitride finish, hardened to 60 HRc

• Nichols Stainless Damascus – Striking layered Damascus pattern with stainless performance

Handle Options

Choose from rugged work-ready synthetics or modern premium upgrades:

• Black G10

• Grey G10

• Coyote Brown G10

• OD Green G10

• Ivory G10

• Carbon Fiber

Heritage Meets Modern Performance

Under O’Neill’s guidance, the Devil’s Brigade trained in brutal, effective methods of unarmed combat and knife fighting—skills that made them one of the most feared special forces of WWII. The V-42 dagger was a tool central to that training. The Dermot Dagger continues that lineage, designed and built in-house at our North Carolina shop. With modern metallurgy, refined ergonomics, and Dauntless Manufacturing’s uncompromising craftsmanship, this blade bridges past and present—lean, lethal, and unconquerable.

Indomiti Sumus. We Are Unconquerable.