DAGA comes from the Latin word "daca". It is shorter than a sword but longer than a dagger, varying from around 30 to 40 cm in length.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Daga usually has a double blade and knuckle guard but some versions do not have a guard or protective feature and others, only a very short guard. When the dagas have very long blades they are called "caronero daggers" because in Argentina, they used to be carried between the two leather blankets (caronas) of a horse saddle, with the end of the dagger sticking out in front.
LEFT-HAND DAGAS
During the first half of the 16th century, two-handed sword fighting was growing in popularity and the daga started to be gripped in the left hand with a sword in the right. Said daga, known as a "left-hand daga", or "sail dagger", was used for the purpose of breaking the edge of the enemy’s sword, and inflicting wounds at short distances. This type of weapon originated from Italy but it soon spread across Europe. The daggers were usually made to match the companion sword and included a ring on the guard to protect the thumb. Sometimes the blades were equipped with indentations designed to break the blade of the enemy’s sword with a twist of the wrist.
The quintessential Spanish left-hand dagger was known as a "sail dagger", typical of the 17th century and featuring a triangular blade, wide ricasso, a depression to rest the thumb on, straight quillons, and a triangular knuckle guard that curved toward the grip.
****If the daga you would like to buy is out of stock, the estimated time for a new piece to be made is approximately 20 days.****
