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1 comments about CS88ND - COLD STEEL NAVAL DIRK.

1. This is Cold Steel's "interpretation" (their word) of a Navy midshipman's sidearm of the 18th or 19th century. I emphasize that it is an interpretation rather than a straight replica. I have never seen a historical example quite like this. Most naval dirks I have seen sport ivory handles.
   
   The grip on this one is, however, more to my taste than the ivory, to be honest. It is made of real buffalo horn, with brass spacers, guard, and pommel. The monochrome photograph here doesn't capture the gold tone of the brass accents. The wood and leather scabbard is also amply outfitted with brass. It's an altogether handsome package.
   
   The blade is thick in cross-section and quite sturdy, despite its fine appearance, and yet it is incredibly nimble. It is essentially a spike with a handle on it, designed mainly for traveling from point A to point B in the fastest, straightest line possible. It certainly succeeds in this, and while its strong suit is the thrust, its edges are just sharp enough (and can easily be made sharper) to get some slashing done-- and, more importantly, to discourage an opponent from grabbing the business end of the weapon. It is also substantial enough for effective parrying and blocking.
   
   The naval dirk has long been used as uniform equipment and a symbol of office in the maritime services. I do not know for sure how extensively it was used as a weapon, even during the age of sail, but the consensus seems to be that it was well-suited to fighting in boarding actions on the crowded decks of relatively small ships. It might also serve as a "main gauche" or off-hand dagger for someone wielding a saber or cutlass in his dominant hand.
   
   I have also heard that the dirk served as a sort of "pig-sticker" used by young officers to keep order among their own subordinates, especially below decks. I imagine that jabbing the point of this thing in a sailor's hind end would be very persuasive. This theory paints a rather unromantic picture of Naval service in the time of wooden ships.
   
   Either way, it's clear that the dirk is suited to lightning thrusts in extremely tight quarters, and yet its length gives the wielder quite a reach over ordinary knives and daggers. This qualifies it for home defense use, especially in rooms and hallways where there is no space to swing a bat, a cutlass, or a meat axe.
   
   Lastly, although it is not quite historically accurate, I think it's dressy enough for period costume.
   
   In sum, this is one long knife or short sword that I wouldn't want to live without.

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