Real Swords

In feudal Japan, the short sword wakizashi served as an efficient secondary weapon of the samurai, who traditionally carried it with the katana. The warrior wore it indoors when the longer sword was set aside at the entrance and utilized

One of the lesser known Japanese swords, the nagamaki is a long sword with an extra-long handle, usually as long as the blade itself. It is often confused with the naginata polearm, but the samurai warriors actually used it as

Throughout Japan’s history, the sword has evolved to suit the fighting styles of each period. Sometimes called nodachi, the odachi was the extra-long sword the samurai used during the Nanbokucho period, from 1336 to 1392. The warriors wielded it differently,

In the Middle Ages, swords served as a symbol of the status and prestige of medieval knights. Medieval sword and blade designs adapted to military tactics of the time, with some that were more suited for thrusting and others for

Amongst the thousands of Viking age weapons discovered throughout recent history, Ulfberht swords were one of the rarest and most highly prized. Forged and distributed between the 9th and 11th century, they are identified by the letters inlaid on the

For centuries, the sword was the weapon of choice in settling personal disputes, dueling, and war. Today only a few martial artists and modern fencers are familiar with the lethally effective fighting arts practiced since antiquity. The medieval and Renaissance

A sword hilt comes in a wide variety of forms depending on the period and origin. The portion of a sword below the blade known as the hilt consists of a hand guard, handle or grip, and pommel. Most medieval

Swords were carried in scabbards that protected them from rain and damp while protecting everything else from their sharp edges. Scabbard construction and decoration styles varied, and each feature often reflects the fashion of the time.  Let’s explore the history

The crusader sword, commonly known as an arming sword or knightly sword was the weapon the medieval knights used throughout the crusading era from 1095 to 1291. Generally straight and double-edged, it was efficient against the chain mail armor of

Disguised as an ordinary walking stick, a sword cane conceals a long slender blade. Sometimes called swordstick, it served as a self-defense weapon and a symbol of the wealth and status of the owner. Today, a sword cane generally refers

One of the most famous swords in European legends, the Excalibur belonged to King Arthur of Camelot. In Arthurian legends, the magical sword protected the king and his knights. There are varying accounts on how he obtained the sword, but

Longer than a dagger and subtler than an ax, the sword was the most highly regarded of all weapons. Fitted with a grip and a hand guard, it has a long blade for thrusting or cutting. Swords have several possible

Pirates had a fearsome reputation, from targeting ships to launching attacks on coastal towns. During the Golden Age of Piracy, pirates used the cutlass sword for hand-to-hand combat on crowded decks. As a short sabre, it was efficient for chopping

Of all the famous Japanese swords, the kodachi （こだち） is a short sword that is one of the more popular and mysterious swords due to its pop-culture footprint from anime and video games. This article discusses the history, characteristics, and

From the 9th to the 11th century, the Vikings raided and took control of areas of Europe and beyond. The Viking swords, including the Ulfberht sword blades, were just a few of the weapons that give us insight into one

Most recognized for its long, slim blade, the rapier served as a civilian weapon throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, but it gradually became more associated with the court, dueling, and fashion. The swept-hilt and cup-hilt rapiers are perhaps the

Fencing is a sport and art of swordsmanship using blunted weapons. First featured in the modern Olympic games in 1896, it remains an integral part of the event. A modern fencer uses one of the three weapons—the foil, épée, and

Of all the two-handed swords, none are as impressive as the German zweihander and the Scottish claymore. These early Renaissance swords were longer and more powerful than medieval swords, hence being called great swords. Let us explore the history of