Tlingit Raven Dagger

Fighting daggers were common in the historic period culture of the Tlingit and other northern Northwest Coast groups. All were large knives at the least, while some were long enough to be considered short swords. Some were made of a single length of steel from the tip of the blade to the ends of the pommel, forged by Native metalworkers. One of the best of these was a woman whose name was Saayeina’aat, who is associated with several surviving large daggers. Others were made like this; single blades mounted to a wood grip with an inlaid and carved pommel. Some examples feature pommels made of whale or walrus ivory, similarly inlaid with pieces of abalone shell, obtained via trade from California and Mexico. This pommel most likely represents Raven, a prominent moiety crest that is known as the opposite of the Eagle crest.

The blade of this dagger shows evidence of having been forged from a file. The fine, parallel rows of teeth can still be made out on the sides of the blade. Before the advent of electric grinders, files were the primary tool for shaping metals. When they were worn out and dull, they became good material to make into something else. Some were forged into double-edged, flat back, symmetrical shapes, while others became single-edged, pointed forms such as this.  

Steven C. Brown 

March 2022