Alot of this is pretty right on in my opinion. Having just played a dagger spec (wasn't even STSF) I can agree that it is a kick ass spec. Yes, artery + hurl will do -12 to 13 str, however, if you add in the poison dagger thats is another -5 str and then get the right stab + twist is EVEN more -str loss plus great damage. Quite often I would start hurl, artery and stab which can all be done in 3 rounds of combat and result in MASSIVE strength loss and heavy damage.

The only thing that dagger specs are really lacking is the ability to lag and seal a kill, but, sometimes heavy bleeding will take care of that. Then I don't need to mention the -dex from hamstring that lets you hit more, dodge more and get more concealeds.

I hear people say well, daggers are easy to disarm. I really don't think that this defense works very well. To start by the time you dirt/disarm they already have at least two skills off on you and since most dagger specs worth their salt carry multiple daggers they will just flee, rearm and come at you again. Another idea would be to maybe permalag the dagger spec, which is difficult to do in itself. Chances are that if you go this route you are slower than the dagger spec and run the risk of just getting concealed to death while not hitting them much. I know that daggers don't parry well, but, sometimes it sure doesn't seem like it. Basically, the dagger spec can usually hack you up quick enough that you couldn't hit a turtle crossing the road.

I am not saying that daggers specs are impossible to fight. They are merely very formiddable, however, add STSF into the mix and they become a ####ing nightmare. I completely regret not taking the legacy with my last dagger spec!