The Use Of Medieval Daggers

Rarely do we use the term "dagger" today. Somethis particular use and had hilts and handles that
law enforcement professionals do use this wordwere made of precious metals such as gold or
to describe a double-edged knife, but for thesilver, and were encrusted with jewels and
most part, this word has lost use in our modernprecious gems.
society. However, there was a time whenIn combat, medieval daggers were of course
medieval daggers were commonplace and usedwhat you would call a secondary weapon. Longer
for both self-defense and military applications asswords were used for most combat scenarios as
well.one would be able to address an opponent from
Size and Composition of Medieval Daggersarm's length. Daggers were used only if one's
By definition, a dagger is a small handheld bladeopponent was close enough for stabbing. They
that is used for thrusting or stabbing. They aremade good weapons for use against one's
different from knives in that knives have only oneopponent that was in armor; if you were close
blade or one sharpened side to their blade -enough you could find an opening in the armor
imagine your common kitchen knife. Daggersand stab your opponent through rather quickly
however are sharp on both sides of the blade andand efficiently. This often happened as the armor
are therefore a perfect weapon for close rangeof old was so heavy that soldiers became
combat or killing.fatigued rather quickly, so would give way to their
Some medieval daggers had straight blades whilefatigue allowing themselves to be finished off by
others had their blades designed in a zigzag oruse of a dagger.
wavy pattern. This was usually more for showIt wasn't long however before medieval daggers
than for actual use, as the zigzag blade wassaw their popularity fall as the stiletto or
actually less effective as a stabbing weapon thanpocketknife became of use. The pop-out blade of
the straight blade.these new knives made them a perfect weapon
Depending on the use of the dagger, some wherethat would be used only when the time came and
very ornate and had their hilts designed withnot before. However, the use of daggers was
ornate features and may have even beensoon renewed when soldiers with rifles decided to
encrusted with gemstones, depending on theattach a blade that resembled these medieval
customer and the dagger's use.daggers to the end of their rifles, creating a
Medieval daggers were of course somewhat smallbayonet. This way their guns could be used an
so that they could be used easily and transportedadditional weapon even when they were out of
as well. Since some where used off the battlefield,ammunition.
they needed to be hidden in one's coat orMany soldiers of various armies have been issued
leggings. Also, because they were not meant toweapons that resemble these medieval daggers
be a fencing weapon, the hilt had nothing withas a secondary weapon to keep on their person.
which to protect the hand but was simply usedSlender, lightweight knives have worked their way
for holding the weapon.from the religious temples of old and are still being
Use of Daggersused in certain areas of combat around the world.
In many cultures, daggers were used inThere are many medieval daggers on display
ceremonies and religious rituals. Medieval daggersaround the world, and any true war buff, history
were no different. Any religion that called forlover, or sword enthusiast will appreciate their
animal sacrifice often found that the instrumentsplace in history right along with broadswords and
used to kill and bleed such animals were just asother such weapons. Although small in size,
revered as all the other instruments and tools ofmedieval daggers were just as deadly as their
their religion. Many were also crafted especially forlarger cousins on the battlefield.