Templar Dagger of Prince Henry the Navigator

Armour-Piercing Templar Dagger of Prince Henry the Navigator, 15th Century

Tribute to Prince Henry and Historical Context

This weapon is crafted in honour of Prince Henry the Navigator (1394–1460), the prominent Portuguese Infante and Grand Master of the Military Order of Christ. It was precisely this order that became the direct successor to the dissolved Knights Templar on the Iberian Peninsula in the 14th century, which perfectly explains the weapon's designation as a Templar dagger. The original template for this dagger dates back to the 15th century, a time when heavy plate armour dominated the European battlefields. Weapons of this type, often called Panzerstecher, rondel, or quillon daggers, were specially designed so that their strongly tapered profile and sharp point could pierce the vulnerable gaps and joints in plate armour. It was the ultimate weapon for relentless close-quarters combat.

Construction and Weapon Design

This product from Paul Chen (Hanwei) stands out with its highly authentic historical design. The blade is forged with a pronounced central ridge (diamond cross-section), providing it with the extreme rigidity required for thrusting. The handle is covered in black leather for a consistently secure grip, complemented by a simple yet highly functional brass-coloured crossguard and a massive pommel. The price of the weapon also includes a precisely stitched black leather scabbard. This scabbard features a practical loop, allowing it to be easily and securely attached to a belt.

Safe Usage and Care Principles

Although the dagger possesses a very sharp point and is made from high-quality materials, the source information does not explicitly state that it is designed for practical cutting or thrusting tests. Therefore, we must strongly warn you that, for safety reasons, this is a decorative product unsuitable for practical use, particularly for contact fencing (HEMA, SCA) or man-to-man combat. The sharp blade poses a real risk of serious or fatal injury. Never use the dagger to strike hard objects or armour. To keep the steel blade rust-free for a long time, carefully wipe it with a dry cloth and conserve it with a thin layer of armour oil every time you draw it from the scabbard. Care for the leather parts of the handle and scabbard using a high-quality beeswax leather balm to prevent the material from drying out and cracking.

Recommended Accessories

To accompany this magnificent armour-piercing dagger, we highly recommend acquiring a historically accurate 15th-century one-handed sword, a thick leather belt with a brass buckle, and a high-quality padded gambeson, which together will create a flawless historical knightly ensemble.

Technical Parameters of the Dagger

The above data may vary slightly from piece to piece due to the manual manufacturing process.