Back-up dagger

[BdeB]

I find a dagger excellent for those sad times when I have been armed in a mellee. Having normal non-Tars Tarkas like arms, I do occasionally need it and it has produced some epic stories.

Dont stab a siege weapon with it. They get pretty grumpy about that.



Besides, I like a knife fight!

Evidence:

http://img.villagephotos.com/imageview.aspx?i=25828555

[Aaron]

I don't think I have ever, in the midst of an engagement with an opponent, felt pulling a dagger was wise, nor had one used on me successfully.

During the time an opponent has let go of his main weapon to grab the dagger, I have always been able to do violent things to him, and feel quite the same thing would happen to me as I tried to draw mine.

Now, that doesn't mean that a dagger can't be handy if you have a moment to grab it, free of risk of getting whacked in the head.

Had an awesome dagger duel in the woods at Pennsic in 2009 with some Westie knight after losing my right arm spear dueling.

Man, I really need to get to cross poleaxe with you someday. Your reputation makes it a "must do" on my list.

Hi Leo,

Sir Corby and I fought and he was almost bored. And I pulled my dagger in the clinch and got smacked. Now I said, "Sir I forgot to tell you I had a dagger, and I will pull it now if you don't mind." He said, "Good luck with that" and I was hosed.

[BdeB]

Corby is good. Vlad is better. If you are a polearm fighter on the East Coast, they should always be on your dance card.

Only one of them as been Jeddak, but both of them should have been.

[Randy Bobbyson]

So Its not the SCA, but I thought everyone woud find this funny.

Many years ago a couple friends of mine were sparring. One was fighting two-sword the other glaive. After many rounds of getting killed, the two-sword fighter was finally able to get past the striking edge of the glaive. As he ran up the pole beginning to see his victory in sight... He noticed the pole fighter beginning to smile at him. As he thought "why's the mofo smiling at me?" the pole fighter pulled out his back-sword and slaughtered the two-sword fighter once more.

Brings tears of laughter to my eyes every time I think about it.

[Scott]

Had an awesome dagger duel in the woods at Pennsic in 2009 with some Westie knight after losing my right arm spear dueling.

That would have been Duke Thorfin the Cruel. It was an awesome fight to watch, too. It was a line engagement, and when you two stepped into the middle, everyone around just stopped spearing & fighting to let you guys fight it out with your daggers.

- Scott

[Corby de la Flamme]

Man, I really need to get to cross poleaxe with you someday. Your reputation makes it a "must do" on my list.

I'll be at Pennsic this year. (Last year was the first I missed since 1986.) Vair & Ermine camp (the nicest camp at the War, the one with all those 12' silk banners) on Battle Road, convenient to the battle field.



That's me on the right, but I bet you knew that.

And I agree with Bryce: I believe Vlad is the best polearmsman in the world. He won an Atlantian crown fighting one! I've rarely, very rarely, beaten him in a tournament.

[Bran ap Rees]

Sir Omarad ...more on that fish bat...got a picture?

I can remember being in a press, with no real swinging room when the guy opposite me drew and stabbed me and the guy on either side of me in the grill. We called him lots of bad things but there was no dispute it was the right tool for the job.

[Sir Omarad]

Sir Omarad ...more on that fish bat...got a picture?

I can remember being in a press, with no real swinging room when the guy opposite me drew and stabbed me and the guy on either side of me in the grill. We called him lots of bad things but there was no dispute it was the right tool for the job.

pic of?

[olaf haraldson]

Also... they may draw it and gank you in the face with it. Laugh accordingly... it's funny to everyone else, you may as well enjoy it too.

Just remember that you are always armed if you carry a backup weapon.
If you drop your great weapon or spear and expect quarter, you may be mistaken.

[Anton]

Anyone carry one for sword/board fighting when you get legged and are about to get facehumped? A poke with a dagger/shortsword to the belly might discourage that behavior.

Anton

[zachos]

Some of you may enjoy this:

http://www.youtube.com/user/astragand#p ... ea5-nMpJL0

[Thomas MacFinn]

... I practice with it. Just practice drawing and firing. If you've got a backup on you can't draw without thinking or fumbling... it's useless.

During the time an opponent has let go of his main weapon to grab the dagger, I have always been able to do violent things to him, and feel quite the same thing would happen to me as I tried to draw mine.

I think these two statements sum up everything I have ever heard about backup weapons very neatly.

[Bran ap Rees]

Sorry...mixing quotes and pic requests -

Planned dagger fights always feel like an armored production of West Side Story...but drawing it when you need it and a surprize stab to the grill is epic.

Pics of broken spear showdown?

Sir Omarad wrote:
Very classic. we both stared at each other with broken spears, we both dropped them and drew daggers, after a flurry of moves I missed my stab to his eyes as he moved in and got me with an undercut to the armpit.

Payn wrote:
I have a fishbat that I call the MFB. 2.5 inch rattan planed down to 1 and a quarter. Around 18 inches long. I love it.

Payn, got a pic?

[Adriano]

Well, I carried my back-up dagger in some fights at Gulf Wars. Didn't use it, and it really got in the way. (Just stuck in my belt.)

So if I keep carrying it, I'll need to make a cool hanging sheath like some of you guys. And I might never use it, but it'd be a nice touch of authenticity. Maybe I can make something for Fools War.

[Sir Omarad]

Pics of broken spear showdown?

Sir Omarad wrote:
Very classic. we both stared at each other with broken spears, we both dropped them and drew daggers, after a flurry of moves I missed my stab to his eyes as he moved in and got me with an undercut to the armpit.

I wish!
Epic fun.

[Eamonn]

I got a chance to pull mine at a practice a few weeks ago. I definitely heard the choir of angels when the thrust hit. And I also highly recommend you practice drawing. I fumbled for mine and thought I was dead, as did everyone watching. The only person who didn't see me reaching for it and missing was my opponent. He had my polearm haft in his right hand, and I kept him busy fighting for it back as I was drawing my dagger. Great fun.

[Vitus von Atzinger]

You must not wear your dagger vertically in the front near your navel- this is a bad idea. You also need to teach yourself -through studying what your opponent is paying attention to- exactly when you can draw and strike. Sometimes I draw while my target is looking at another person for a few beats.

[Thomas MacFinn]

Adriano, if you wear it, practice drawing it and using it. If you don't practice using it, don't bother to carry it.