Parrying dagger

<p>The parrying dagger is a category of small handheld weapons from the European <a href="/facts/Late_Middle_Ages/XNtcJjrU">late Middle Ages</a> and early <a href="/facts/Renaissance/4D9Bc6KU">Renaissance</a>. These weapons were used as off-hand weapons <a href="/facts/Dual_wield/12RCRUXB">in conjunction</a> with a <a href="/facts/European_dueling_sword/uUvyAzMo">single-handed sword</a> such as a <a href="/facts/Rapier/f9VwMg22">rapier</a>. As the name implies they were designed to <a href="/facts/Parry_(fencing)/rFdDHIAH">parry</a>, or defend, more effectively than a simple <a href="/facts/Dagger/bKxEtuKD">dagger</a> form, typically incorporating a wider guard, and often some other defensive features to better protect the hand as well. They may also be used for attack if an opportunity arises. The general category includes two more specific types, the swordbreaker and trident dagger.
</p><p>The use of this off-hand weapon gradually fell out of favor as <a href="/facts/Sword/HoomVtF9">sword</a> fighting evolved into the modern sport of <a href="/facts/Fencing/9h2HHTvy">fencing</a>. The use of progressively lighter primary weapons such as the <a href="/facts/Small_sword/YYdGL5R0">small sword</a>, <a href="/facts/%25C3%2589p%25C3%25A9e/HEeSCoM1">épée</a>, and <a href="/facts/Foil_(fencing)/MLnJpJzQ">foil</a> allowed for greater speed since the fencer needed less protection for himself as double hits became more allowed in sport fencing.
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Parrying dagger open-in-new

Parrying dagger