Knife and Dagger Description and Definition of the Knife and Dagger: The Knife and Dagger are weapons used by Native American Indians in hunting and fighting. A dagger is a a short knife with a double-edged pointed blade fastened to a handle and used for stabbing or thrusting.
A knife is a general term used to describe a thin bladed weapon, having a sharp edge for cutting and fastened to a handle, but of many different forms and names for different uses e.g. throwing knife, scalping knife
A knife or dagger was always carried by the Native American Indian. They varied in size and would be held in a sheath at their side or small knives were hung around the neck.
Raw Materials used to make the Knife and Dagger Many Native American weapons, such as the knife and dagger were made from a combination of materials. The blades were attached to a wooden handle with a cord usually made from animal sinew or with a type of glue. The blades of the Native American knife and dagger were originally made of bone, antlers and stone. The knife and dagger were designed with wooden handles and sharpened stone edges which could be used as deadly weapons for throwing and close combat. The arrival of the white settlers and traders, introduced new ideas and technology and the original Native American knife and dagger made of stone, horn, bone and stone were replaced with blades made with metals such as iron and steel.
Knife and Dagger - the Types of Blades Making weapons, such as the Knife and Dagger, was an essential role of all American Indian men. Making a Knife and Dagger was a time consuming task. The Native American knife and dagger were made with many different styles and types of blades. The pictures on the page illustrate some of the different knife blades made by the Indians.
Types of Native American Knife Blades
Types of Knife Blades
Description of Native American Knife Blades
The normal blade is the most common heavy, strong knife and has a curving edge, and straight back, ideal for cutting and thrusting.
The curved blade light weight knife has a back edge that curves upward, ideal for slicing or slashing and as skinning knives.
The large knife that has a drop-point blade that is thick and strong.
The knife with a spear point blade has a central spine and is double-edged like a large dagger or a spear head. The spear point is one of the stronger blade point designs and ideal for penetrating targets and used as a thrusting knife, like the dagger. Some types of throwing knives have spear point blades, but these are commonly made flat, without a spine.
The dagger is a thrusting weapon and fighting knife. Its long, narrow point reduces friction and increases the blade's penetrative capabilities, but is liable to stick in bone and can easily break.
This type of blade has a straight edge and a straight dull back that curves towards the edge at the end. It gives the most control, because the dull back edge is made to be held by fingers.
The back edge of this thick blade starts closer to the handle and is more gradual.
Types of Native American Knife Blades
Knife Sheaths and Dagger Sheaths The Knife and Dagger was carried by Native Americans in Knife Sheaths held at their sides or carried around their necks. The following picture shows some examples of Native American Beaded knife sheaths.
Knife and Dagger
Pictures of Native American Indian weapons for kids
Description and definition of the Knife and Dagger weapon
Materials required to make a Knife and Dagger
Making a Knife and Dagger - method of construction
The use of the Knife and Dagger weapon and method of fighting
Interesting facts and information about weapons and the Dagger for kids and schools
Knife and Dagger - Pictures and Videos of Native Americans Native American Weapons. Discover the interesting facts and information which relate to the History of Native Americans and the weapons they used such as the Knife and Dagger. The pictures on this site show the weapons and tools that were used by various Native Indian tribes that can be used as a really useful educational history resource for kids and children of all ages. We have included pictures and videos to accompany the main topic of this section - Knife and Dagger. The videos enable fast access to the images, paintings and pictures together with information and many historical facts. All of the articles and pages can be accessed via the Native Indian Tribes Index - a great educational resource for kids providing an unusual insight into their culture. We hope you enjoy watching the videos - just click and play - a great resource for gaining facts and information about the life of Native American Indians.
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