| Before there were swords, before even spears, there | | | | slow and opponents blade. Later, specialized daggers |
| was the dagger. In fact, the dagger was quite possibly | | | | with large, basket-type hand guards were created to |
| the first real weapon ever created by man. Oh sure, it | | | | make the weapon even better suited to its new |
| may not have been called a dagger back then, more | | | | defensive role. The new dagger was often referred to |
| of a knife really, made from stone then chipped and | | | | as "Main-Gauche," which in French means "My Gosh!" |
| scraped into a sharp point. It is believed that Thag the | | | | and was said to have originated from the first guy to |
| Smart Guy, a popular caveman from prehistoric times, | | | | die when his blade was parried by one such dagger. |
| first invented the dagger to kill a rival caveman named | | | | Alright, that's not really true. "Main-Gauche" actually |
| Grung. He is quoted as saying "Me tired of Grung | | | | means "Left Hand", which is a LOT less exciting than |
| hitting me with rocks. Me gonna fix him." However, | | | | my definition, isn't it? |
| since this whole incident took place before recorded | | | | Daggers have, throughout history also had more |
| history, it's all pretty much hearsay. | | | | insidious roles as well. Their small size and ability to |
| The true dagger is a weapon that has both edges | | | | deliver quick lethal strokes made them excellent |
| sharpened. The length and width of daggers varied | | | | weapons for more unsavory types. Assassins relied |
| quite a bit throughout history, especially early on, when | | | | on them because they were easy to hide. Julius |
| the line between dagger and sword was notably | | | | Caesar, Caligula (and several other Roman Emperors), |
| blurred. Typical daggers tend to be no more than 14 | | | | Poet Christopher Marlowe, St. Lucy, Scottish Regent |
| inches or so in length, with European daggers usually | | | | Earl Douglas, and many many others in history have |
| having crossguards and pommels (and, knowing | | | | been assassinated by enemies wielding daggers. |
| medieval Europeans, probably bloodstains as well). | | | | Another dark task given to daggers has been to |
| Swords supposedly owe their existence to daggers. In | | | | dispatch of sacrificial offerings, whether the offering |
| the arms-race of ancient history, daggers allegedly | | | | consisted of animals or humans. Many cultures |
| became longer and longer until they became in all | | | | throughout time have practiced ritual sacrifice and, |
| respects, swords. When swords took over the | | | | usually, this was done using daggers (often ornate |
| dominant role in combat, daggers were still kept around | | | | ones at that). |
| for several reasons; they were great for close | | | | Daggers eventually gave way to knives as time went |
| quarters fighting, they could be hidden easily and, if | | | | on. Knives are generally single-edged weapons and |
| weighted properly, could be thrown at opponents. | | | | are used for a large variety of utilitarian functions, only |
| Daggers were also still quite popular in the dining halls | | | | one of which is killing things. Knives have been carried |
| to cut and skewer food as well (seriously). | | | | by hunters, soldiers, craftsmen, repairmen and angry, |
| In the renaissance, daggers regained much of their | | | | crazy people everywhere (Strongblade obviously |
| popularity, but this time in a supporting role. Swords had | | | | does not condone nor tolerate any kind of illegal |
| become lighter and faster, allowing combatants to hold | | | | activity with its weapons, nor will we sell our items to |
| another weapon in their free hand. That weapon was | | | | anyone we think will use them irresponsibly or in a |
| usually a dagger and was used mostly to parry, bind or | | | | "crazy" fashion). |