Side Ring Parrying Dagger – Hand-Forged Flamberge Main Gauche

Side Ring Parrying Dagger — Hand-Forged Flamberge Main Gauche

The Everest Forge Side Ring Parrying Dagger is a hand-forged reproduction of the Italian main gauche — the off-hand parrying dagger carried alongside a rapier in the fencing schools of late-16th and early-17th century Europe. Its defining feature is a flamberge blade: a dramatic wavy, flame-shaped edge that was prized for catching and controlling an opponent's sword. Hand-forged in Kathmandu by Nepalese master smiths from 5160 high carbon spring steel (recycled truck leaf-spring stock), water-tempered, full-tang. A 16-inch double-edged flamberge blade, a steel side ring guard for the off hand, a leather-wrapped grip, and a leather scabbard — built for collectors, rapier-and-dagger enthusiasts, reenactors, and lovers of Renaissance swordcraft.

This isn't a wall-hanger. It's a real functional dagger built to the same standards as our combat-grade swords and kukris — hand-forged 5160 spring steel, water-quenched, full-tang, sharpened to a working edge. The flamberge profile and side ring give it the unmistakable look of an Italian parrying dagger, while the broad blade and full leather-wrapped grip make it solid and confident in the hand. Whether you are building a Renaissance arms collection, pairing it with a rapier for display, or simply want one of the most distinctive daggers in European history, the Side Ring Parrying Dagger delivers the look of the original and real handmade quality.

Note: This is a historically inspired hand-forged reproduction, not an exact museum copy of any single excavated piece. The original Italian side-ring daggers carried elaborate pierced fullers, engraved pommels and wire-bound grips; our version honours the form — the flamberge blade, side ring and parrying-dagger profile — in a robust, functional build with a leather-wrapped grip. Slight variations in weight, dimensions, grain, or finish may occur due to the handmade nature of the item. It is live, sharpened, full-tang steel intended for collecting, display, and controlled practice — not for edge-on-edge contact sparring or LARP.

What Is a Side Ring Parrying Dagger?

By the late 1500s, European swordsmen fought with a rapier in the dominant hand and a dagger in the other. That off-hand blade — the main gauche, French for "left hand" — was used to parry, trap and bind the opponent's sword while the rapier did the thrusting. The side ring is the giveaway: a loop of steel projecting from the guard that protected the hand and helped catch an incoming blade.

The flamberge, or flamboyant, blade takes that idea further. Its wavy, flame-like edge was believed to grab and slow a sliding blade, and it made an unmistakable visual statement. Flamberge parrying daggers are among the most striking sidearms of the Renaissance, and far less common than the plain straight-bladed daggers of the period. If you have searched for a parrying dagger, a main gauche, a flamberge or wavy-blade dagger, or a side ring dagger, this is that weapon — reborn as functional hand-forged steel.

Our version honours the spirit of the Italian original rather than copying a museum cast. The 16-inch blade has real presence, while remaining a fully functional 5160 spring steel dagger.

Why This Parrying Dagger Stands Apart

Product Specifications

All dimensions and weights are approximate due to the handmade nature of the product.

Customise Your Parrying Dagger

This is a made-to-order dagger. Use the dropdown options at the top of this page to customise your blade before forging. All standard options are included at the listed price — no extra charge for personalisation.

Want a fully bespoke parrying dagger or rapier-and-dagger set? Custom blade profiles, guards, engravings, or matched pairs are available through our Custom Forge service.

Hand-Forged Dagger vs Decorative Wall-Hanger

Search for a parrying dagger or main gauche online and you will find two very different types of product:

Type 1: mass-produced decorative replicas. Stamped or cast stainless steel, hollow or rat-tail tangs, no real edge, no customisation. They photograph well and fail at everything else.

Type 2 (this one): a genuine hand-forged dagger in real 5160 spring steel, full-tang, water-tempered, and sharpened. Built to the same standards as our combat-grade swords and Nepalese kukris, forged by Nepalese master smiths and made to order.

The difference is fundamental: this is a real dagger, not a decoration. Cared for properly, it will outlast any wall-hanger replica by decades.

The Complete Degen & Medieval Collection

The Side Ring Parrying Dagger is part of our hand-forged Degen and medieval European collection — Renaissance and late-medieval swords and daggers, each forged from 5160 spring steel and finished by hand.

Who This Dagger Is For

Renaissance and arms-history enthusiasts — A flamberge side-ring main gauche, one of the most distinctive sidearms of the European Renaissance and a standout centrepiece for any collection.

Rapier-and-dagger collectors — The natural off-hand companion to a rapier. Pair it for display, or commission a matched set through Custom Forge.

Reenactors and living-history performers — A functional, period-feel parrying dagger. A blunt display edge is available at no extra charge where event rules require it.

Fantasy and film collectors — The flamberge wavy blade is a dramatic display piece that suits fantasy and Renaissance-themed collections alike, hand-forged far above mass-produced replicas.

Gift buyers — A knockout gift for the history lover or blade collector in your life. Add free engraving with a name, a date, or a motto for an heirloom piece. See engraving options.

How It's Made

See the full forging process →

What's Included

• Hand-forged 16-inch Side Ring Parrying Dagger with flamberge blade
• Steel side ring guard and leather-wrapped full-tang grip
• Leather scabbard
• Sharpened working edge (or blunt display edge if specified)
• Free standard engraving on request — name, date, or motto
• Care and maintenance guidance for high-carbon steel
• Worldwide tracked shipping, duties and taxes prepaid (DDP)
• Satisfaction guarantee on standard configurations
• Warranty against forging and heat-treatment defects

Shipping, Returns & Warranty

Production time: each Side Ring Parrying Dagger is hand-forged to order after you purchase.

Shipping: worldwide with full tracking on a DDP basis — duties and taxes are prepaid, so there is nothing further to settle on delivery. Full details on our Shipping & Returns page.

Returns: satisfaction guarantee on standard configurations in unused condition. Custom configurations — custom finish, engraving, or colours — are made to order and non-returnable. Full warranty policy.

Warranty: limited warranty against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship.

Secure checkout: all payments are processed through encrypted, PCI-compliant gateways. Checkout security details.

Care & Maintenance

After every use: wipe the blade clean and dry, then apply a thin coat of light oil (mineral oil, camellia oil, or 3-in-1 oil).

The flamberge edge: the wavy profile has more edge length than a straight blade, so take a little extra care wiping and oiling along the curves where moisture can sit.

Leather grip and scabbard: keep the leather away from prolonged damp, and treat it occasionally with leather conditioner. Avoid long-term storage of the blade inside the scabbard.

Rust spots: light surface rust is normal on 5160 carbon steel and is easily removed with very fine steel wool (grade 0000) and a few drops of oil.

Sharpening: a flamberge edge is best maintained with a round or tapered sharpening rod that follows the waves, rather than a flat stone. Avoid power grinders, which can ruin the temper.

Frequently Asked Questions