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Stilettos are narrow, triangular daggers used for stabbing and thrusting, popular during the European Renaissance. They were favored by assassins for their concealability. The term stiletto comes from the Italian word for dagger. Stilettos have a hollow grind and were used by knights, thieves, and the armed forces. They made a brief comeback in World War I and II and are still made for military use today.
A dagger is a type of dagger designed specifically for stabbing and thrusting. Stilettos became extremely popular during the European Renaissance, because they could be used quite effectively against armored knights. Assassins in particular have favored the use of the dagger, as this blade is extremely easy to conceal, making it a great tool for those wishing to conceal their intentions. The shape of this knife was borrowed by shoe factories for a particular type of high heel famous for being extremely narrow and long.
The term “stiletto” is a diminutive of the Italian stilo, which means “dagger”. This term probably derives from the Latin stilus, or “spike”. The origins of the term suggest that the stiletto may have Italian origins, or simply that it became very popular in Italy. Certainly stilettos were widely used in Renaissance Italy and the blades may have originated in this region of Europe.
Classic stilettos are relatively short daggers with thin, tapering blades that appear triangular in cross section. Since the blades have no specific cutting edge, they are better suited to thrusting and stabbing, using the sharp tip of the knife as a weapon, rather than the edge. The dagger’s narrow design makes it an excellent tool for digging into crevices of armor and clothing to deliver a killing blow. Stilettos are typically created with a hollow grind, creating a channel in the blade which is known as a fuller; this channel in turn generates the characteristic triangular cross-section.
If you are a fan of historical fiction, you may have come across some stiletto heels or stiletto-heeled characters sticking out of various parts of the body. These blades were extremely common up until the 20th century, especially in Europe, and were carried by a wide range of people. In addition to assassins, stilettos were also worn by knights, for use as close quarters weapons, by thieves and by many members of the armed forces. In all cases, people used the blades for silent, close-up work, and usually used spiked heels with the intent to kill.
In both World War I and World War II, the stiletto experienced a brief comeback. WWI trench knives were based on the stiletto design, for example, and many people outside the trenches also carried these small but very effective knives. Many knife companies continue to make stilettos for military use, and these companies typically sell similar versions to civilians who feel they need such a knife.
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