“And should the said guisarmiers (billmen) have sallets with visor, gauntlets, long daggers, and no swords”. Aymar Cadorat’s instructions (circa 1466, equipment of French Francs-Archers)

"The coustillier (lightly armoured Burgundian/French cavalry similar to English “demi-lance”) […] should have a good dagger of 1 foot long and sharp on both sides.” The archer […] should wear a dagger sharp on both sides and 1,5 foot long. Ordinances of Charles the Bold (Abbeville, 1471)

In accordance with the ordinances concerning the equipment of Louis XI or Charles the Bold troops, this dagger is so long that it is, in fact, almost a short sword !

Worn at the belt, with a buckler shield, it will perfectly complete the equipment of a billman or an archer. Of course men-at-arms could also find this dagger quite convenient as a backup weapon. In Burgundian ordinance companies it was compulsory for each man-at-arms to have one hanging on the left side of his saddle.

It is the ideal weapon for equestrian games, like cutting the apple or catching the rings. Its very light weight is usually much appreciated by all those who do not want to burden themselves with a heavier weapon.