The highest item level daggers a level 41–50 character can wear as a Mage start with Julie's Dagger (item level 55, rare). 13 items fit the slot and band; the top 13 are ranked here by item level, then quality, not by simulation.
| # | Name | ILvl | Req. | DPS | Speed | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Julie's Dagger | 55 | 50 | 36.5 | 1.30 | Dagger | Found in Solid Chest (The Hinterlands) at 0.0% (+427 more) (vanilla) |
| 2 |  Scout's Blade | 53 | 48 | 35.0 | 1.70 | Dagger | Sold by Kelm Hargunth (Horde) (vanilla) |
| 3 |  Sentinel's Blade | 53 | 48 | 35.0 | 1.70 | Dagger | Sold by Illiyana Moonblaze (Alliance) (vanilla) |
| 4 |  Spiked Dagger | 53 | 48 | 19.1 | 1.60 | Dagger | Found in Supply Crate (Stratholme) at 3.0% (+643 more) (vanilla) |
| 5 | Ebon ShivCHANGED | 51 | 46 | 30.3 | 1.70 | Dagger | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 6 |  Vorpal Dagger | 50 | 45 | 29.7 | 1.60 | Dagger | Drops from Ravasaur Matriarch (Un'Goro Crater) at 0.9% (+496 more) (vanilla) |
| 7 | Widowmaker | 47 | 42 | 31.6 | 1.90 | Dagger | Drops from Narillasanz (Alterac Mountains) at 0.0% (+321 more) (vanilla) |
| 8 |  Dreadblade | 47 | 42 | 28.0 | 1.50 | Dagger | Drops from Brimgore (Dustwallow Marsh) at 0.9% (+460 more) (vanilla) |
| 9 | Mithril StilettoFOREVER | 47 | 42 | 28.1 | 1.80 | Dagger | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 10 |  Ceremonial Elven Blade | 45 | 26.7 | 1.80 | Dagger | Quest: A Hero's Welcome (vanilla) | |
| 11 |  Fiendish Skiv | 45 | 26.6 | 1.90 | Dagger | Quest: Challenge Overlord Mok'Morokk (vanilla) | |
| 12 |  Tok'kar's Murloc Shanker | 43 | 25.0 | 1.60 | Dagger | Quest: Threat From the Sea (vanilla) | |
| 13 | Silent Hunter | 41 | 23.1 | 1.80 | Dagger | Quest: Call to Arms (vanilla) |
Ranked by item level, then quality, among items with a known source: gear nothing drops, sells, rewards or makes yet (raids not yet open, the client's test items) is left out. The class filter keeps what the class can equip at level 50 (armor type, weapon skill, Dual Wield, the item's own class limit); the side filter drops items that only the other side's vendors and quests offer. Source: the best known drop first (a Forever rate at 10+ loots, else the vanilla 1.12 chance), then vendors, quest rewards and the profession that makes it. Reviewed picks: Mage Best in Slot.
Other slots: One-Handed Sword, One-Handed Axe, One-Handed Mace, Two-Handed Sword, Two-Handed Axe, Two-Handed Mace, Staff, Bow, Gun. Every slot and level.