Highlights

  • In Skyrim, daggers are the ideal weapon of choice for those who like to go for stealth kills or roleplay as an assassin.
  • The game features a variety of powerful and unique daggers, each with its own strengths and qualities.
  • Whether players prefer a glass dagger, an ebony dagger, or even a Dragonbone dagger, there are options available to suit different playstyles and preferences.

Skyrim is more than ten years old now. Sometimes it's hard to believe this open-world classic has been around so long as still has so much to offer. With countless mods and a mind-blowing amount of quests, it's hard to not find something fun to do in the game, even after all this time. Even now, after all these years, players can jump into a playthrough of Skyrim and get completely immersed in Bethesda's magnum opus, with unique discoveries awaiting them at every corner.

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An assassin wielding a deadly dagger is such a common trope that it has almost become cliche. Still, for players who like to sneak around in Skyrim, it's harder to find a better weapon. Not all daggers are made alike, and while players can smith some of their own there are a few that are a step above the rest.

Updated on December 30, 2023, by Ritwik Mitra: Skyrim is one of the greatest video games ever made, and players love to jump into this game and try out one of the many unique builds that allow for a fresh, unique, and engaging experience with this title. Most players who jump into this game would prefer to use big, high-damage weapons that would send most enemies packing. However, the daggers in Skyrim are also pretty effective, and players who want to roleplay as a rogue or prioritize stealth should use daggers in stealth and combat to slice and dice their foes.

18 Glass Dagger

A Beautiful Dagger That's Pretty Effective In Battle Too

Skyrim player glass dagger replica.
  • Attack: 9
  • Weight: 4.5

The idea of wielding a weapon made from glass may sound stupid, but players should remember that Skyrim is a fantasy world where a lot of impossibilities don't exist. If players can accept the idea that magic is prevalent in this game, then the idea of special glass being used to make weapons and armor shouldn't be a huge stretch in the slightest.

It helps that glass equipment looks pretty cool too, with the Glass Dagger having a personality of its own despite being a relatively common weapon. This weapon is found as random loot when players level up and can serve them quite well until more valuable loot comes their way instead.

17 Elven Dagger

A Simple And Effective Dagger

skyrim elven dagger
  • Attack: 8
  • Weight: 4

The Elven Dagger is a pretty useful and great-looking weapon that feels great to use when players get their hands on it. A few levels are all it takes for Elven Daggers to start reliably spawning around the world, augmenting the Dragonborn's arsenal quite a bit.

It may not be the most powerful dagger in the game but is quite valuable at lower levels when the Dragonborn doesn't have too many options to choose from anyway. It's a serviceable blade that will help players out quite a bit until they move on to bigger and better weaponry.

16 Dwarven Dagger

A Decent And Effective Dagger At Lower Levels

Dwarven Dagger in Skyrim
  • Attack: 7
  • Weight: 3.5

A weapon that can be obtained pretty early on, the Dwarven Dagger may not seem like anything to write home about. The damage doesn't seem all that high, but players who get their hands pretty early on this weapon will find a dagger that will carry them for a few hours with ease.

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Rogues will love to get their hands on this dagger early on. Sure, it may not be anything remarkable per se, but the Dwarven Dagger is a decent weapon that players can use until they gain more levels and need better armament to tackle the game's stronger enemies.

15 Ebony Dagger

A Dagger Made From A Powerful Material

Ebony Dagger in The Elder Scrolls 5 Skyrim
  • Attack: 10
  • Weight: 5

The Ebony Dagger is, as the name suggests, a dagger made from ebony, a rare and valuable material that is coveted by players for its supreme quality. The dagger is sleek and elegant with a narrow, pointed blade and a distinctive design that makes it look like a high-level weapon.

It has a high base damage and can be further improved with the Ebony Smithing perk, making it a formidable weapon in the hands of a skilled player. Ebony Daggers are often favored by characters who prefer a more refined and sophisticated look for their weapons, while still maintaining high damage output. Just like most regular weapons, this weapon can be found as loot, crafted with the appropriate skills, or purchased from merchants as long as the player has a high level.

14 Daedric Dagger

A Dagger Made From A Rare, Iconic Material

skyrim daedric dagger improved via exploit
  • Attack: 11
  • Weight: 6

The Daedric Dagger is a powerful weapon made from one of the most valuable and coveted materials in the entire game. This dagger has a distinctive appearance with its sharp, curved blade and wicked-looking hilt. It is pretty impractical if players really think about it, but this fantasy game doesn't care much for practicality.

It is one of the most powerful daggers in Skyrim, boasting high base damage and the potential for powerful enchantments. It is often sought after by players who want a deadly and menacing weapon for their character, and can either be found as random loot, purchased from merchants after reaching a certain level, or crafted if players have that valuable skill.

13 Stalhrim Dagger

Added In The Dragonborn DLC

Stalhrim Dagger in The Elder Scrolls 5 Skyrim
  • Attack: 10
  • Weight: 4.5

The Stalhrim Dagger is unique in that it is crafted from stalhrim, a rare and powerful material found in the icy regions of Skyrim. The dagger is known for its icy appearance, with it being one of the many weapons added to the game in the Dragonborn DLC.

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The Stalhrim Dagger has a distinct crystalline design with an icy blue hue. It has high base damage and can be further improved with the Ebony Smithing perk, as odd as this may seem. Additionally, when enchanting this weapon, frost enchantments will be more powerful than usual. Two merchants sell this weapon — namely, Baldor Iron-Shaper in the Skaal Village and Glover Mallory in Raven Rock. Alternatively, players at a decent level can find this dagger through the normal course of exploration as well.

12 Blade Of Sacrifice

A Unique Ebony Dagger Carried By The Worshipers Of Boethiah

Blade of Sacrifice
  • Attack: 10
  • Weight: 4

Players will have to kill all of the followers of the Daedra Boethiah to be able to get a Blade of Sacrifice. This takes place during the quest Boethiah's Calling which is by far one of the darkest quests in the game. This ebony dagger doesn't have any unique effects and cannot be enchanted. However, it looks incredibly deadly and brutal which can be perfect for those who like to roleplay in the game.

11 Keening

An Ancient Dwemer Dagger That Has The Chance To Absorb Health, Magicka, Or Stamina With Each Hit

Keening
  • Attack: 8
  • Weight: 4

This Dwemer dagger not only looks incredibly unique, but it also has a fantastic set of perks. It can absorb ten health, Magika, and stamina whenever players land a hit. The dagger can be found at one of eighteen radiant locations during the quest Arniel's Endeavor.

The only issue is, as the charges for this ability can't be refilled, it essentially becomes useless. If players want to keep the Keening as more than just a cool-looking dagger will need to make sure they have the Fortify Destruction enchantment on some of their armor when using it so the charge doesn't go away.

10 Kahvozein's Fang

A Dagger Usually Found In Areas Where Dragon Priests Reside

Kahvozein's Fang
  • Attack: 6
  • Weight: 5

Kahvozein's Fang is useful, but only for an incredibly specific reason. It's the only way to be able to complete the Alteration Ritual Spell quest as it's used to collect dragon heart scales, so any true mage will need this dagger. Note: This only works if equipped in the Dragonborn's right hand, it's a weird bug.

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Players will have to kill a Dragon Priest to be able to acquire this dagger. Once they use it for the quest, it's just like any other Dragon Priest dagger. It does look cool on a display at least.

9 Borvir's Dagger

Found On Borvir's Corpse in Journeyman's Nook

Borvir's Dagger
  • Attack: 8
  • Weight: 4

Borvir's Dagger is part of a canceled questline in the game, but minus its unique name, it's not all that special.

So why is it on the list? It's one of the most powerful daggers to get at the beginning of the game and takes barely any effort to do so. Players can track down this Elven Dagger in Journeyman's Nook.

8 Bloodthorn

Found On An Altar On The Balcony Of Hag's End

Bloodthorn
  • Attack: 8
  • Weight: 2.5

Soul Gems are incredibly useful in Skyrim for a multitude of reasons so being able to fill up empty ones easily is incredibly useful. Anyone killed with the Bloodthorn will automatically have their soul trapped in one of those gems, making it a highly sought-after dagger.

Players will have to go to the north of Markarth where they will find Hag's End. After battling against the Hagravens there, players can find this dagger on an altar on a balcony.

7 Mehrunes' Razor

Also Known As The Dagger of the Final Wounds, Bane of the Righteous, and Kingslayer

Mehrune’s Razor
  • Attack: 11
  • Weight: 3

Mehrunes' Razor doesn't just look deadly, it has a 1.98% chance of instantly killing anyone it strikes. We do mean everyone too, the final boss of the game can be beaten in a single lucky blow with Mehrunes' Razor. Now, the dagger doesn't do much damage on its own, but this insta-kill chance makes it a viable option.

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This dagger requires players to collect the four pieces of it during the quest "Pieces of the Past". If players kill Silus Vesuius at the end of the quest, they'll receive this dagger.

6 Valdr's Lucky Dagger

Assist Valdr During The 'Hunter And Hunter' Side Quest To Receive This Weapon

Valdr's Lucky Dagger
  • Attack: 5
  • Weight: 2.5

The extra damage of critical hits can make enemies go down far easier as the damage they deal bypasses armor. So with Valdr's Lucky Dagger giving players a whopping 25% chance of landing a critical hit with each strike, it's hard to deny how powerful it is. Especially if dual-wielded with another dagger such as Mehrune's Razor.

This dagger is also not too difficult to get, it just involves helping Valdr kill a bunch of spriggans in Moss Mother Cavern where they killed his friends. Once players complete the Hunter and Hunter quest, Valdr will give them the dagger.

5 Blade Of Woe

Used By Astrid, The Leader Of The Dark Brotherhood

Blade of Woe
  • Attack: 12
  • Weight: 7

It only makes sense that the leader of the Dark Brotherhood would have one of the best daggers in the game. It deals more base damage than a Daedric Dagger and is almost on par with a Dragonbone Dagger. It also absorbs 10 health per strike which is a solid enchantment.

The easiest way to get this dagger is to simply kill Astrid when the Dragonborn meets her in the Abandoned Shack, but that's not worth missing out on the entire Dark Brotherhood questline for. Instead, players should go through that questline and complete Death Incarnate to receive this sharp reward.

4 Dragon Priest Dagger

Found In Ancient Nordic Tombs

Skyrim Dragon Priest Dagger In Front Of a Word Wall
  • Attack: 6
  • Weight: 5

The Dragon Priest Dagger is a unique weapon that was once used by the Dragon Priests in their rituals and sacrifices. The dagger is fairly rare and can be found at a handful of locations. Players may encounter the dagger at Forelhost carried by several Dragon Cultists, in Ysgrammor's Tomb, in Volunrund, in Colette Marence's room in the College of Winterhold, in Harkon's Room in Castle Volkihar and one dagger can be found in the Soul Cairn.

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Like the silver weapons wielded by the Silver Hand, the Dragon Priest Dagger can neither be crafted nor upgraded. But its looks alone are enough for many players to want one in their inventory.

3 Skyforge Steel Dagger

A Relatively Rare Weapon That Can Be Obtained By Eorlund Gray-Mane

Skyrim Skyforge Steel Dagger Up For Purchase From Eorlund Gray-Mane
  • Attack: 8
  • Weight: 2.5

Players can get the Skyforge Steel Dagger from Eorlund Gray-mane in Whiterun after becoming a member of the Companions. While they may appear to be similar to regular Steel daggers in appearance, Skyforge Steel Daggers provide three more points of damage while weighing the same.

Players can buy the daggers from Eorlund after joining the faction or can choose one as a reward for free after completing the quest "Proving Honor". Players cannot improve them at a grindstone as no recipes exist in the game. However, the daggers can still be enchanted, and with the right amount of levels and perks, players can put up to 2 enchantments on the dagger.

2 Nettlebane

Dropped From A Hagraven During The Quest 'The Blessings of Nature'

Nettlebane Being Looted From A Hagraven Corpse Skyrim
  • Attack: 6
  • Weight: 10

Nettlebane is a unique-looking Ebony dagger acquired from a Hagraven at Orphan Rock during the quest "Blessings of Nature". Players will find a Hagraven using the weapon to sacrifice several Spriggans for their ritual. The dagger is used to harvest the sap of the Eldergleam Tree during the quest.

The weapon can be upgraded at a grindstone using an Ebony Ingot. While it has less damage than a regular Ebony Dagger, players can equip that gives them a bonus towards Smithing to increase the improvement threshold bringing it on par with a regular dagger.

1 Dragonbone Dagger

Can Be Forged With 100 Points In Smithing And The Dragon Armor Perk

Enchanted Dragonbone Dagger Being Given To a Child In Skyrim
  • Attack: 12
  • Weight: 6.5

Players can craft Dragonbone Daggers after leveling their Smithing skill to 100 and acquiring the Dragon Armor perk. They will need one Dragon Bone and one Leather Strip to craft the dagger. Dragonbone Daggers are the strongest daggers in the game dealing base damage of 12, same as the Blade of Woe.

However, the Dragonbone Daggers weigh half a pointless and can be enchanted as the players will whereas the Blade of Woe has a set enchantment. With the right amount of points invested in the Enchanting skill tree and the appropriate perks, players can put up to two enchantments on a Dragonbone Dagger.

elder scrolls 5 skyrim cover
Skyrim

Platform(s)
PC , PS3 , Xbox 360 , Xbox One , Xbox One X , Xbox Series S , PS4 , PS5 , Switch
Released
November 11, 2011
Developer(s)
Bethesda
Genre(s)
RPG , Action , Adventure