Summary
Bell Cranel, the protagonist of theDanMachiseries, is well known to battle monsters way above his level again and again. Using countless weapons, Bell has defeated various monsters. But unfortunately, the adventurer needs more and more weapons, as very few weapons can keep up with his growth and match his power, except the Hestia Knife.
Unlike other weapons, the Hestia Knife is literally aweapon forged by a god with godly attributes. Its attributes, origin, and significance are all things that impact the overall story ofDanMachiin one way or another. After all, it’s more than a simple weapon and much closer to being a member of the Hestia Familia. A very fascinating concept.
Origins And Significance Of The Hestia Knife
The Story Behind The Iconic Knife
Despite its astronomical value, the Hestia Knife came about because of a goddess’s innocent love for a young boy who sought good equipment to hunt down stronger monsters. At the time, Bell Cranel was level 1,nothing but a budding adventurer, but Hestia saw it fit to have the God of the Forge, Hephaestus, craft the knife herself. Interestingly, the materials used to forge the knife were Hestia’s hair and divine energy (Ichor). Essentially, the Hestia Knife became a weapon forged with materials as symbolic and godly as a goddess’s hair and essence.
While Hephaestus declared that the value of the Hestia Knife could not truly be priced, she gave Hestia a figure of 400 million valis to make it even somewhat repayable. Considering high-level adventurers like Ottar and Ais own weapons priced around 100-200 million valis, the Hestia Knife’s price far exceeds even the most elite gear in Orario. However, Hephaestus calls it slightly defective for a very unique trait.
Unique Abilities Of The Hestia Knife
What Makes It Special?
Like an adventurer,the Hestia Knife can absorb experience and continually grow stronger with its user,making it a very unique weapon. Most weapons will eventually have to be replaced, but not the Hestia Knife because Bell won’t ever be able to “outgrow” it. This allows it to ever remain relevant to Bell Cranel and more than a memento.
Interestingly, Hephaestus refers to it as defective, as the Hestia Knife can only be used by a member of the Hestia Familia. Rather than a weapon, the Hestia Knife is likened to being more of a familia member. Moreover, whileall members of the Hestia Familiacan technically use the knife, the knife will only respond to someone blessed by Hestia herself, as said by Hephaestus. Meaning, more specifically, the knife reacts to anyone with Hestia’s falna (blessed by Hestia), rather than just familia membership.
Aside from its divine craftsmanship and connection to Hestia, the Hestia Knife serves as an indestructible weapon, at least by normal means. To have it possibly destroyed would mean the involvement of a god or power on the level of a god.While using abilities like Argo Vesta, Bell has damaged many weapons, showing that most can’t handle those abilities of his. However, the Hestia Knife serves as the only exception. With time, the Hestia Knife will possibly become Bell’s greatest weapon asset as it’ll be able to keep up with his ever-growing abilities.
The Symbolism Behind The Hestia Knife
A Knife With Hieroglyphics
The Hestia Knife has an incredible build with nice hieroglyphics that make it seem ancient and ‘godly’. However,the hieroglyphics actually mean somethingand serve as more than just a decoration.
Over time, some core fans of the series have been able to translate it.
“The First Three Lines:
The truest of silver and brilliance of mithril, shapes thy body. The true light shall be clouded if touched by others. Take care, as only one who shares your blood, can draw this blade.
On The Edge:
You are the Goddess Hestia’s double. The flame of hearth that splits the shadow, the one who cuts through the path of your master. You are to be the forever companion, protecting your master.
The Four Lines At The Back Side Of The Knife:
The master of blacksmithing, Hephaestus being an Olympic ally of Hestia, to smelt this weapon. Marked by the Faruna, God’s Blade, you are our beloved Familia. Commanded to be equal to the name of Hestia. Share your strength and give glory to the ones who share your blood. The name of your master, Bell Cranel. You become the other half of your master; may you smile together, rage together, cry together, hurt together, travel together, surpass hardships together, and grow together. Excelia be your food, sharpen your edge, reach new height together.
On Bell’s Back:
Thou shalt be the first genus with whom thou hast shared thy blood. Human, child of mediocrity. He has no power and has branches of all possibilities. A race blessed with numbers and prosperity. A child of the original species imagined by God. An unknown brilliance that can reach anything. ”
The hieroglyphics on the knife say a lot about its deeper purpose and the weapon’s unique connection to Bell. With each line, the knife’s role as Bell’s eternal companion is highlighted alongside the divine origin of the knife. The inscriptions on the knife and Bell’s back show that the knife is more than just a weapon—it’s an extension of Bell himself,reflecting his growth and the limitless potentialHestia sees in him. However, while the knife may always remain with Bell, it might not always be his primary weapon.
Would The Hestia Knife Last With Bell Or Ultimately Be Replaced?
The Possible Relegation To Being A Secondary Weapon
Despite possessing the Hestia Knife, most of Bell’s boss battles except the one against the Minotaur have been fought with a sword. With this, many fans question if the knife will eventually literally grow into a sword or if it’ll be relegated to Bell’s secondary weapon. After all, while the knife is able to grow with Bell, he seems to prefer weapons with a longer reach, and a knife doesn’t seem to work best against large monsters.
The possibility of the knife being relegated to a secondary weapon is highly possible; however, with time, few weapons would be able to withstand Bell’s full power. And so, while Bell may use other types of swords predominantly, the Hestia Knife could serve as aform of epic finisher to conclude a battle. However, even this is contested, as Bell has hardly ever finished a battle with his knife, but it has served him in many dangerous situations.
Regardless of the role it’ll play in future battles, the Hestia Knife will undoubtedly remain an irreplaceable part of Bell’s arsenal. Its ability to grow alongside him ensures it will always be relevant, even as he faces stronger foes.
DanMachiis available to watch onCrunchyrollandHulu.
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