Need a better name for a type of Dagger-Spear

[Madman Starryteller]

In my universe, there exist a type of bladed weapon that comes in the base form of a dagger that can be extended into a spear. When you press or hold a button down, a shaft extends in both directions of the handle, extending the blade part and the pommel away from the grip.

I call these "Dagger-Spears" but the name feels simple and a mouthful at the same time. I've had thoughts of naming them something like Daspar, Dagsper, Stildoru, Stildory, or something, but I feel unsure. There is also the issue that I already have an overarching name for most blades in my universe, Matsep, short for Material Separator. So it would be two made-up names in an introductory sentence, which I feel is a bit much. Or is it?

I was inspired by a weapon from Babylon 5 when I concepted this dagger-spear, but there, it was a sort of polearm/stick without any sharp edges. A more blunt instrument.

How would you go about this? What would you name it? What would be a good way to handle this issue?

 

[CatrionaGrace]

Kind of a bladed ASP baton, then. ASP Maybe just call it an expandable spear and not get too fancy?

 

[Madman Starryteller]

Forgot to note, in case it is relevant, the Dagger-Spear is also a traditional weapon, like most Matseps, they're passed down from generation to generation. It is an important part of being a Spherian, as it is the only weapon soldiers and ex-soldiers are allowed to open-carry in civil society. I mean in cities and urban places, where most weapons are not allowed.

So maybe giving it a unique name is warranted.

Kind of a bladed ASP baton, then. ASP Maybe just call it an expandable spear and not get too fancy?

Yeah, kinda like a folded modern baton. Hmm, maybe, but doesn't that put too much focus on it being primarily a spear?

I don't know. Maybe I'm making this into a bigger issue than it needs to be.

 

[CatrionaGrace]

Maybe I'm making this into a bigger issue than it needs to be.

Could be.

 

[Banespawn]

Is this a magical weapon, where it can extend further than the length of the handle would suggest?

If not, I don't think it's practical, based on my research. Unless you're going for a spear that's about 3 feet in total length, you'd need at least 2 extensions from each end of the handle. And then you'd have to deal with the weight and balance, width and grip, and overall sturdiness of the weapon. It might function well as a dagger but very poorly as a spear, or vice versa.

Here is something a bit similar, but it doesn't work the same, and is only 27 inches as a spear:

Hidden Tri-Blade Baton - Transforming Spear Dagger Weapon

You'd probably be better off with two separate weapons that join together. Like, 2 daggers, each with 14-inch blades and 8-inch handles. A button in each pommel extends the handle 7 inches. In one handle, the inner, solid portion extends, while in the other, the outer, hollow portion extends. The inner can then be inserted into the outer and locked into place with a twist. That would produce a double-bladed polearm that is 58 inches in total length. Maybe add an inch to each blade to make it 5 feet exactly.

If you want something longer than 5 feet, then you'd need to combine a dagger with something longer.

I know none of that answers you're actual question, but from what I know of your story, I think you are using technology instead of magic. And if so, you'll want the tech to feel more plausible.

As far as the name goes, I wouldn't try to be so literal. Maybe instead you name it after the person who invented it, or a group of warriors who were first known for using it. Dig into your worldbuilding to find a name that fits.

 

[big soft moose]

Seems to me that a spear dagger would probably become a spagger in general useage

Possibly also becoming a verb in the same way as to chib “ Bob gave him a good spagging blood spraying like water from a hose “

 

[Madman Starryteller]

Thanks for helping me brainstorm, @Banespawn.

I figured it would be made up of some advanced materials for automatic weight distribution, sturdiness regardless of shape, etc. I thought that maybe nanites or micro mechanics would be baked into the blade. An "as long as it is not impossible, then it works," kinda deal.

I think it depend on the blade as well, when it comes to length, some may be 1,5-2 meters, generally.

Sean’s to me that a spear dagger would probably become a spagger in general useage

Possibly also becoming a verb in the same way as to chib “ Bob gave him a good spagging blood spraying like water from a hose “

Now that sounds exclusively British.

"Listen up you curs! It's time to bedevil these bellends and spagger them with our blades!"

 

[big soft moose]

Weapons general have several names

The designer gives them a fancy name that no one else ever uses

The military give them a logical but over complicated name like “ knife accessory browning automatic rifle”

The grunts who actually have to use them shorten it or give it a slang name as in the K-bar

And individual warriors may give their favourite weapon a name ( as with bilbos sting or Arthur’s Excalibur)

 

[Naomasa298]

A blade rod. Or a brod.

But actually, I wouldn't base its name on its literal function, but what it symbolises. For example, make it absorb light so it's totally black. Then call it a black dagger. And *everyone* knows what a "black dagger" is, not just a dagger that happens to be black.

 

[Stuart Dren]

Since it's carried as a dagger, I would call it a dagger. Some matsep daggers just happen to be telescoping or whatever. What a delight it will be for the reader to learn about it the first time it happens in the story.

Are there commonly daggers that don't extend? We had "motor cars" or "horseless carriages" until the default carriage, car, became the powered one.

 

[defaux]

Could you simply invent a name, or repurpose a word, that is known to be this weapon in your universe?

What comes to mind is something like Pierce Brown's razor in Red Rising.

 

[Madman Starryteller]

Weapons general have several names

The designer gives them a fancy name that no one else ever uses

The military give them a logical but over complicated name like “ knife accessory browning automatic rifle”

The grunts who actually have to use them shorten it or give it a slang name as in the K-bar

And individual warriors may give their favourite weapon a name ( as with bilbos sting or Arthur’s Excalibur)

That's a good point. It may even have different names based on who is the point of view. And if it is alien or even another human group.

But actually, I wouldn't base its name on its literal function, but what it symbolises. For example, make it absorb light so it's totally black. Then call it a black dagger. And *everyone* knows what a "black dagger" is, not just a dagger that happens to be black.

I like this idea. Thanks.

Since it's carried as a dagger, I would call it a dagger. Some matsep daggers just happen to be telescoping or whatever. What a delight it will be for the reader to learn about it the first time it happens in the story.

Are there commonly daggers that don't extend? We had "motor cars" or "horseless carriages" until the default carriage, car, became the powered one.

True, as a first time introduction it might be better to just call it a dagger and then show what it's capable of.

I think these dagger-spears are more common than plain daggers.

Could you simply invent a name, or repurpose a word, that is known to be this weapon in your universe?

What comes to mind is something like Pierce Brown's razor in Red Rising.

Yeah, I'm leaning more and more toward my first thought of Daspar. Especially since it has the word spar in there.

Thank you, everyone! Lots of good ideas.

 

[Seven Crowns]

You could just call it a bayonet. You're re-purposing that word. Of course they don't come with their own pole, but why not? It's your world.
The fur traders had knives that were called scalpers. That's a good term too. Sounds ominous and doesn't need to be explained.

Or just make up something that sounds sharp, but I guess that's what you're asking, haha.

 

[Also]

Just call it something like a Klingon dirk, replacing Klingon with some other demonym appropriate to your universe? At some point you can explain what is distinctive or magical about the [Klingon] variety.

 

[Mogador]

Bob gave him a good spagging

Now that sounds exclusively British.

Give a patriotic Briton a jolly good spagging and he's happy all week.

the Dagger-Spear is also a traditional weapon, like most Matseps, they're passed down from generation to generation

So not the Pocket Spear 2000 then?

 

[Rath Darkblade]

How about Ji (戟)? a versatile, ancient Chinese polearm that combines the thrusting power of a spear with the slashing and hooking capabilities of a dagger-axe or crescent blade. From Wikipedia:

Note also the tiny blade at the end normally held by the soldier on the qinglong ji and fangtian ji - this probably allowed the soldier to 'plant' the ji on the ground and point it outwards, to resist cavalry charges.

 

[Naomasa298]

"Extending pointy thing".

 

[Stuart Dren]

"Extending pointy thing".

Too vague. It should be: "Extending pointy thing for thrusting."

 

[defaux]

Too vague. It should be: "Extending pointy thing for thrusting."

It might want a pronounceable acronym. And one less entendre.

 

[Rath Darkblade]

"Extending pointy thing".

Too vague.

Agreed. That could describe the Pointy-Haired Boss from Dilbert. He extends his presence into people's cubicles whenever they're about to do something useful.

(Yes, I know that's a stretch ...)