• Do daggers count as one-handed weapons in the context of perks? e.g. savage strike and decapitating and the dual wield perks?
  
• Are daggers a viable primary weapon?

1. Yes.
2. Yes.

For most of my playthrough so far I have been dual-wielding 2 daggers because they are silent when sneaking, and I haven't had too much trouble.

So if we're using a dagger and the sneak attacks, we'll get all the bonuses for a one-handed weapon and all the bonuses for a dagger? On two hands?

Seriously?

I'm not 100% on this, but yes, as far as I know.

I'm surprised, I mean... you can decapitate someone with a dagger? How are you able to tell they count?

I trust your instinct on it, but if that's the case, the dual dagger is the new super mage. Holy crap! What can you not kill with a sneak attack using two daggers if that's the case?

I'd like some confirmation that dual daggers gains the bonuses from being one-handed and also being daggers before I swoon.

Maybe one-handed bonuses only apply if it's a single dagger, which frankly, would still be pretty damned powerful I think.

I'm surprised more people aren't wondering about the truth of this...

There's no point in using dual daggers. The perks stack, so you are going to either 1hko with an iron dagger or continuously pound their shield to a pulp with it. Either way you're better off with a spell. Having just used one (and finding mehrune's razor two hours later), I can confirm they are valid primaries. Especially considering I was playing a battlemage and left my robes (and thus my magic) at home.

How do you *know* they stack? I'm not accusing you of lying I'm just interested if you know for sure?

The point of dual wielding is the benefit of the dual wield perks, surely? (20%+ attacks speed +50% damage dual power attack)

Dual power attacks while standing still are insanely powerful...

I used to console to check damage done on enemies.

Pretty much any sneak attack (especially if you get the perks, which you should) from a dagger is going to 1hko. If you're not in stealth you're in combat. I found that you can lay the punishment just fine (edit: they can't get a hit in as long as 1H is perked) with a single dagger. Then I can use wards and other useful spells.

Are you talking primarily from experience with the Dual Savagery perk or without it?

shadow warrior + dagger /bow build and it freaking rocks vs anything, I still only use 1 dagger but if 2 did work or do work I find that kinda insane balance issue consider how easy to stealth up in the face on someone past 40 stealth