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Stone Age
Daggers emerged during the Stone Age. The dagger, or knife, was one of man's earliest tools and was made from bone or stone. These daggers were essential tools, used for hunting, building, cooking, warfare and defense.
Copper and Bronze Ages
When man found ways to forge copper and bronze, daggers went through an evolution. Daggers were a secondary weapon because of their size. Blades had to be kept shorter to maintain the integrity of the metals; longer blades were weaker blades.
Iron Age
When man gained the ability to mine and smelt iron, daggers became stronger. This is also when decorating on the hilt and blade of daggers began. The introduction of steel to the process was a second innovation at the end of the Iron Age.
Medieval Era
In the medieval era, improvements continued to be made as crude blacksmithing practices became more refined. The Japanese discovered ways of folding the steel during the forging process that strengthened blades. Pattern welding also emerged in Europe during this era.
Renaissance
In the early part of the Renaissance, daggers again took on a supporting role as blades grew longer and stronger and the sword became the weapon of the day. Toward the end of the Renaissance, when firearms emerged, swords lost their popularity but daggers remained as a backup to the firearms, in the form of bayonets.
Modern Daggers
From the Napoleonic era through the present day, daggers have remained an important tool in warfare, in spite of the continuing development of firearms and other weapons. Trench knives, ice-pick daggers, punch or push daggers and bowie knives have all served fighting men in close combat and stealth situations.