Any ideas as to the origin of this guardless dagger?

katana · 16th January 2007, 06:52 PM

Hi Andrew,

It is very difficult to determine whether the areas that have this pattern of discolouration (which seems to give the cross hatching 'effect') is evidence that this is made from a file.(even when viewed under magnification) The blade 'rings' when tapped and has slight 'flex' which 'springs' back. If a file was used I would imagine that it was annealed and re-tempered with less hardness/brittleness of that of the file.
The blade tapers to a 'shoulder' ...then to a rat tail tang that appears to be peened at the pommel (the metal disc of the pommel has plenty of dings and dents and is impossible to see).
I am assuming that this is some sort of throwing knife..purely because of the balance and ease of use (its certainly been fun

).
This could just as easily be used as a stabbing weapon.....perhaps covertly carried ...despite its length....it could easily be concealed in clothing as it is so slim.

Hi Tim,
when I first saw this I suspected Morocco, for two reasons, as you pointed out the stacked handle is common to the region.....but also I seem to remember a reference to a long thin pointed stilleto (no sharpened edges) and was guardless....which were concealed in the sleeves........

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16th January 2007, 06:52 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Andrew, It is very difficult to determine whether the areas that have this pattern of discolouration (which seems to give the cross hatching 'effect') is evidence that this is made from a file.(even when viewed under magnification) The blade 'rings' when tapped and has slight 'flex' which 'springs' back. If a file was used I would imagine that it was annealed and re-tempered with less hardness/brittleness of that of the file. The blade tapers to a 'shoulder' ...then to a rat tail tang that appears to be peened at the pommel (the metal disc of the pommel has plenty of dings and dents and is impossible to see). I am assuming that this is some sort of throwing knife..purely because of the balance and ease of use (its certainly been fun ). This could just as easily be used as a stabbing weapon.....perhaps covertly carried ...despite its length....it could easily be concealed in clothing as it is so slim. Hi Tim, when I first saw this I suspected Morocco, for two reasons, as you pointed out the stacked handle is common to the region.....but also I seem to remember a reference to a long thin pointed stilleto (no sharpened edges) and was guardless....which were concealed in the sleeves........