Dagger

The dagger has always been considered a mythical dagger. It is generally short with a length of between 5 and 27 cm. This weapon, which is used for both combat and hunting, exists in two categories: single-edged or double-edged. Discover immediately the history, uses, types, maintenance and different materials of the dagger in the following lines.

The History of the Dagger

The name " dagger " comes from the Italian " daga " which means: a weapon with a straight, pointed blade that is held in the hand. Although it is visually similar to the modern dagger, it is a little longer.

In gunsmithing, the term refers more to oriental knives and those that do not follow the traditional dagger shape. What fundamentally distinguishes the dagger from the arming knife is the rigorous alignment of the middle and the tip of the object with the axis of the handle.

Just like the sword, the dagger is equipped with:

These different parts of the weapon have undergone changes in shape over time. At the very beginning, the guard was in the shape of a cross . It was only at the beginning of the 15th century that the two side rings were added.

The end of the 13th century saw fighters wearing daggers on their belts, more precisely on their right. The sword was positioned on the left of the belt. If the weapon characterized foot soldiers, it was much later that gentlemen became interested in it.

The oldest dagger is tapered, and its tip is shaped like a bulb called a percemaille . On the other hand, the stradiotes (daggers with ears) have a pommel similar to that of the Moorish weapons. They were used in the 15th and 16th centuries.

By the end of the 15th century, this dagger was worn by both civilians and soldiers in several ways:

There came a time when some soldiers had a dagger whose sheath, flared at the top, allowed them to have many knives. It was from the 16th century that the dagger was used as a left-hand weapon . It then reinforced the use of the sword in the practice of fencing by serving to ward off the enemy's blows.

According to tradition, the origin of daggers would be German. These daggers were used during the occult ceremonies practiced by the Free Judges in the 15th century. When the oath was recited in honor of the Holy Trinity, the daggers were exhibited. Indeed, the three branches of the object symbolized the spiritual entity.

The mercy is a large dagger with a wide blade. It was used to stab the enemy who had been knocked down and was begging for mercy. In the same category of daggers with a wide blade, we can mention the sandedei . They are also called "ox tongue".

In the 17th century, the practice of armed duels abandoned the use of the dagger, and only the sword was used.

What are the uses of a dagger?

The uses of this object have been diverse since the dawn of time. It was used a lot as a thrust. Some daggers are triangular in shape and are extremely fine. Whether during hunting or combat, their role is to deliver fatal blows. The weapon helps to easily incapacitate the target in front of you. You still need to know how to handle it.

Some types were used as a last resort for a knight. Indeed, when he found himself on the ground, he could hold his enemy at bay thanks to this object. This dagger is often hidden in the boots.

In addition, this dagger had a domestic use. It was also used in butcher shops. In Spain, as in many ancient societies, the object was used as a sword.

Today, times have changed, habits too. You have certainly noticed that daggers are, these days, more decorative accessories than defensive weapons.

In some countries, special units and security forces arm themselves with the dagger. In addition, people who are passionate about nature and live in it, make it a companion of choice.

Finally, as mentioned above, the tool is an important piece of equipment for safaris. In this case, hunters use the knife to kill their prey or to skin it.

The different types of daggers?

Among the most used, we can mention:

Ball-pickers are intended for the defense of women who are often subject to sexual assault. This dagger, also called " dagger of virtue ", is known to be the favorite weapon of girls of joy in the 19th century.

The percemaille is a dagger intended for thrusting. Its blade is generally not sharpened, and yet, it is capable of piercing armor (chain mail). As for the stylet , it is also called "estoc" or "tuck". Its thin, triangular blade is designed to inflict atrocious wounds on the opponent.

The rouelle dagger is characterized by the presence of two metal washers which constitute its pommel and its guard. This type of dagger guarantees protection of the fighter's hands, especially when he equips himself with a gauntlet.

The blade has a length that varies between 30 and 50 cm. It is thick enough to be strong and thin enough to slip through the cracks in the enemy's armor. The dagger is also a formidable throwing weapon. What about the hunting dagger ?

It comes in various forms:

The choice of the shape of the tool determines the precision of the strike and the severity of the injury caused to the animals.

The hook-shaped dagger is also called a " gutting knife ". It is useful when it comes to gutting game. Thanks to its point, the hunter can easily insert it into the animal's breast to remove its organs.

In addition to the gutting knife which comes in several types, the hunting dagger category also includes: the hunting dagger, the buck and the bowie knife.

Let's start with the hunting dagger. It is equipped with a long, thin blade that pierces and goes through the animal without damaging its skin. The tool is favorable for learning hunting.

The buck is, for its part, very popular for hunts because of its versatility. When you have one, no more knives are needed. In fact, you can use it to cut up, skin and even debone your game. The buck is available in a fixed and folding model.

Finally, the bowie knife is a dagger well known to hunters. It has a fixed blade topped with a formidable point. Its handle is made of bone while its blade is made of stainless steel. It is a resistant and easy-to-use dagger.

How to properly maintain a dagger?

The first reflex, for a good maintenance of this dagger, is to sharpen it regularly. Why? When you sharpen your dagger well, it works effortlessly and the blade is only better for it.

All you need is a sharpening stone. It comes in a wide range of sizes. You can also use a sharpening steel . It is usually made of ceramic. In just a few passes, your knife will regain its former glory: an effective edge and a beautiful shine.

The second habit to develop to keep your dagger in good condition is to systematically clean it after each use. Never let blood dry on the blade.

After washing, it is necessary to wipe the tool to remove any moisture. Also, when you are not using the dagger, leave it out of its sheath in a dry place. This way, rust will not damage the blade or even the handle if it is made of metal.

When the dagger is to be left unused for a long time, the best way to protect it is to coat it with oil. You can find greases on the market that are specifically designed for knife maintenance.

That said, taking good care of your dagger means taking into account the different materials it is made of. If the handle of your dagger is made of plastic, there is not much to do. However, avoid exposing it to high heat.

If the dagger handle is made of wood, protect it from both heat and humidity, which can warp or crack it.

The different dagger materials?

Since the dagger is made of two separate parts, the materials that make it up are numerous. Usually, the handle of the dagger is made of:

To promote good grip of the hands, manufacturers cover the handle of the weapon with silk or fur.

As for the blade, you will often find it in XC75 carbon steel or stainless steel .