dolken

Dolken is the Dutch term for daggers, a class of short stabbing weapons designed for close combat. A dagger typically has a blade between 15 and 45 centimeters, a handle, and a guard. Dolken have served as weapons, tools, and symbols across European history, with a range of blade shapes and fittings depending on period and culture.

Design and variants: Historical dolken include double-edged blades for thrusting and single-edged varieties for slashing. Notable European types include the rondel dagger, the Baselard, and the poignard. Hilt materials ranged from wood and bone to metal; guards can be simple crosses or more elaborate. Some daggers featured concealed or off-set blades for disguise or self-defense.

History: Daggers have long been used for personal defense and close-quarters combat. In the Low Countries and elsewhere in Europe, dolken were carried by soldiers and civilians alike. With the rise of firearms, daggers increasingly served as secondary weapons, tools, and later as ceremonial or collectible items.

Modern use and law: Today dolken are primarily collected, studied, or used in historical reenactment and martial arts. In many countries daggers are regulated by weapon laws that restrict possession, carry, or concealment.

See also: dagger, rondel dagger, poignard, Baselard, stiletto.