Dirk (Scottish Gaelic: Biodag) is a Scots word for a short dagger; sometimes a cut-down sword blade mounted on a dagger hilt, rather than a knife blade. The word dirk could have possibly derived from the Gaelic word sgian dearg (red knife), via dearg [ˈdʒʲɛrəɡ], shifting to Scots "dirk" [ˈdɪɾk]. It may also have been a corruption of the Low German terms Dulk or Dolk.[citation needed]
In Bronze Age and Iron Age Scotland and Ireland, the dirk was actually considered to be a sword. Its blade length and style varied, but it was generally 7–14 inches (170 to 350 mm). Scottish dirks can range from less than 6 inches (150 mm) to around 20–25 inches (600 mm). However, the blades of Irish versions often were as long as 21 inches (530 mm).
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In medieval Scotland, the dirk was a backup to the broadsword, and was wielded by the left hand while the shield was carried on the arm. Dirks were used to swear an oath upon in Celtic cultures.[citation needed] After the Battle of Culloden, the British government troops were aware that the Highlanders normally swore on their dirks, so, to prevent future uprisings or rebellions against the throne, they made them swear an oath never to "possess any gun, sword, or pistol, or to use tartan:
| “ | ... and if I do so may I be cursed in my undertakings, family and property, may I be killed in battle as a coward, and lie without burial in a strange land, far from the graves of my forefathers and kindred; may all this come across me if I break my oath." | ” |
Nearly every Scottish male at the time of the oath had a dirk. The dirk was small and was carried everywhere the owner went. The dirk was worn in plain view suspended from a belt at the waist.
Another shorter dagger tucked into a coat sleeve or stocking as part of Highland dress is known as a Sgian Dubh, derived from the arm pit dagger or sgian achlias. To this day, a real or false dirk is sometimes worn as a part of traditional Scottish attire. They were also used in Wars and Gladatorial Battle.
In addition to these traditional weapons, other styles of dirk were worn by European and American forces on land and sea. Easier to carry than swords, dirks gained favor as lighter side arms among many military and naval officers during the 17th through 19th centuries. In some navies, they continued to be worn by midshipmen and cadets well into the 20th century. Numerous examples of naval dirks have survived from the earlier age of sail, some with histories of use during naval engagements. Most naval dirks were worn primarily on dress occasions, however, and consequently although attractive many were not designed for use in battle.
Naval and other dirks were commonly made with either double-edged or single-edged blades, and there was no standard blade configuration. Reference books covering naval dirks invariably show the popularity of both blade types. As a consequence, historically there were about as many naval dirks mounting single-edged blades as those with double-edged blades. Some dirks have single-edged blades that also have a false edge near the tip, a feature that could be useful in a backcut.
In the United States, dirk is a term used in the knife laws of several states. While it generally means any double-edged knife, the legal meaning may vary from state to state.
DIRK, a dagger, particularly the heavy dagger carried by the Highlanders of Scotland. The dirk as worn in full Highland costume is an elaborately ornamented weapon, with cairngorms. or other stones set in the head of the handle, which has no guard. Inserted in the sheath there may be two small knives. The dirk, in the shape of a straight blade, with a small guard, some 18 in. long, is worn by midshipmen in the British navy. The origin of the word is doubtful. The earlier forms were dock and duck, and the spelling dirk, adopted by Johnson, represents the pronunciation of the second form. The name seems to have been early applied to the daggers of the Highlanders, but the Gaelic word is biodag, and the Irish duirc, often stated to be the origin, is only an adaptation of the English word. It may be a corruption of the German Dolch, a dagger. The suggestion that it is an application of the Christian name "Dirk," the short form of "Dieterich," is not borne out, according to the New English Dictionary, by any use of this name for a dagger, and is further disproved by the earlier English spelling.
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Dirk
Dirk
Dirk
Dirk is Lloyd Irving's adoptive dwarf father. He shares some dwarven skills, and of course Dwarven Vows which Lloyd learns to live by.
Not much is known about Dirk, exept that he forged the Eternal Ring a ring that allows even a human to wiled the Eternal Sword. Early in the game he mentions that he has a present for Lloyd when he comes back all grown up. It turns out this present was none other than the "Vorpal Sword" which ,apparently, Dirk forged himslef. Dirk is quite famous in Sylvarant getting forging requests from people all over the declining world.
In my opinion, some people may say that since Lloyd has two fathers, Kratos Aurion and Dirk Irving, that they are gay. However, Dirk and Kratos are not married, plus Kratos was already once married to Anna ??? (maiden name unknown). Otherwise Lloyd would not have been born, thereby relinquishing that suggestion forever.
Dirk found Lloyd in the Iselia Forest. However, if you chose Kratos to in the nighttime Flanoir scene, you will discover that Dirk actually recieved Lloyd from Anna right before she died in human form. She managed to regain control temporaraily
long enough to beg Dirk to look after Lloyd as Kratos was wounded at the time. However, after his recovery, Lloyd still remained in Dirk's care.
Reason number 1.
Kratos had lost the will to fight back and rejoined Cruxis after betraying them, after learning of Mithos' true intentions.
Reason number 2 being...
Kratos had left Iselia Forest and Iselia for that matter.
   | Article on dirks and various other Scottish weapons - Sword Forum International | swordforum.com |
| | Spotlight: The Scottish Dirk - myArmoury.com: The Scottish Dirk |
| | Bernard Levine's discussion of US state law on knives - KNIFE LAWS of the 50 STATES - Introduction and LINKS |
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