Renaissance Parrying Dagger: Steel Flower

Toward the end of the Middle Ages and especially during the Renaissance, the parrying or dueling dagger — also known as a main gauche — was a highly popular secondary weapon. It was typically held in the left hand alongside a primary weapon such as a sword, estoc, or daga, enabling a two-handed fighting style. Thanks to its pronounced guard, often S-shaped, curved toward the blade and sometimes fitted with a ring or knuckle bow, this weapon was primarily used to parry, deflect, or trap an opponent’s blade — while remaining lethal in attack and capable of delivering precise thrusting blows. Richly decorated versions also served as status symbols, worn proudly by knights and wealthy citizens.

The dagger presented here is a re-enactment model designed for light combat, inspired by Renaissance parrying daggers. It features a full tang EN45 spring steel blade, quench-hardened and tempered to approximately 48 HRC, invisibly secured to the pommel. The unsharpened blade has a wide central fuller running along roughly half its length. The square grip has a wooden core wrapped in black leather, framed by a cap pommel and a substantial steel guard measuring approximately 12 cm, curved toward the blade and ending in elegant conical tips.

The dagger is supplied with a sturdy genuine leather scabbard (approximately 3 mm thick), hand-stitched with a belt loop.

With its blunted edges (approximately 1.5–2 mm) and rounded tip, it is well suited for re-enactment, light combat (SK-C), or sparring. It can also be used as a decorative item, collector’s piece, or historical costume accessory.

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