If you are assuming
medieval swords as the only popular weapon in the history of the world, think again! Daggers are relatively shorter in length but have many tall tales to share. For instance, a Roman or Stiletto dagger was used to cut the ear of a soldier at the time Jesus was arrested. In another example, the popular Roman senator Julius Caesar was wounded about twenty times by a dagger from his allies. Considering the above scenarios, you might think where a dagger lies in the history of weapons. Continue reading to know more about the antiquity of this renowned weapon.
Prehistoric Daggers
Pre-historic humans strongly relied on these tools to survive. The domestic knives and hunting swords were often made of varying types of stones, wood, and bones that were fragmented into unsharpened objects. These knives were developed around 2.5 million years ago and are regarded as the forerunners of daggers. According to the archeological explorations, many of these materials found today are unpreserved.
Copper and Bronze Age Daggers
The creation of daggers initiated with the discovery of sturdy metals. About 5,000 years ago, knives and blades were typically forged from reheating metal ores. Copper was the very first material used followed by bronze. The primitive copper and bronze daggers were used as substitutes to axes and javelins. Though they somewhat lack in length, reach, and force.
Iron Age Daggers
It was around 2,000 years ago that ancient daggers benefited from advances in metallurgy. The iron age daggers were relatively durable and flexible along with fine details and ornate decorations on the hilt. The discovery of steel significantly enhanced the metalworking of the period resulted in a superlative quality of daggers. This period was a whole new beginning of medieval swords which were known as oversized daggers at the time.
Medieval Age Daggers
The Iron Age continued to permeate through the opening years of Middle Ages. The era was revolutionized with the introduction of new techniques in laying various strands of steel together for the creation of primitive medieval daggers with stronger built. The folding process and pattern welding were the two known metalworking techniques that progressed in this period. As soon as the knight sword and knight Templar swords emerged in the 13th century, many knights started carrying sidearms such as long daggers which were also known as arming sword. Samurai military leaders did the same since they were considered naked if they appeared in public without carrying a katana sword or a dagger slinging from their belts.
Renaissance Daggers
Metalworking significant improved in the Renaissance period. In the 15th century, bladesmiths succeeded in extending medieval swords. These longswords were forged with simple lines and fundamental ornaments. Artifacts in this period appeared to be using daggers as backups. One popular example is the use of single-handed parrying dagger for defense. Likewise, the ornamental hilts guards called quillons progressed into intricate basket hilts. In the 17th century, firearms were introduced and the survival of daggers was secured with the use of bayonets. Eventually, bayonets were transformed into close-combat spears.
World War I and II stiletto dagger
Following the Napoleonic wars, the First World War saw the immense use of trench warfare. Apart from grenades and guns, daggers were made from cut-down bayonets. Lately, British and German factories provided the military with standard double-edged daggers for close quarters battles. The
bowie knife and daggers got massive popularity for their extreme sharpness and durability and therefore they were used for body and supply recoveries from downed airliners. In World War II, many soldiers started wearing ceremonial daggers on their complete regalia. Other popular dress blades included Stiletto dagger and Japanese dagger also known as Tanto Knife. The dress daggers became quite popular particularly when Nazi daggers were considered tantamount to oppressors, violence, and death.
