Types of swords

This is a list of types of swords.

The term sword used here is a narrow definition. This is not a general List of premodern combat weapons and does not include the machete, macuahuitl or similar "sword-like" weapons.

African swords

Northern African swords

• Flyssa (19th century Algeria)
• Kaskara (19th century Sudan)
• Khopesh (Egyptian)
• Mameluke sword (18th to 19th century Egyptian)
• Nimcha (15th to 19th century Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia)

Eastern African swords

• Billao (Somali)
• Shotel (Eritrea and Ethiopian)

Western African swords

• Akrafena (Ghana and Togo)
• Ida (Nigeria and Benin)
• Takoba (Mali and Niger)

Central African swords

• Ikakalaka
• Ikul
• Mambele
• Ngulu

Asian swords

Eastern Asian swords

China

• Dao (刀 pinyin dāo) "sabre"
  • Baguadao (八卦道)
  • Butterfly sword (蝴蝶雙刀)
  • Changdao (長刀)
  • Dadao (大刀)
  • Liuyedao (柳葉刀)
  • Miao dao (苗刀)
  • Nandao (南刀)
  • Piandao (片刀)
  • Wodao (倭刀)
  • Yanmaodao (雁翎刀)
  • Zhanmadao (斬馬刀)
• Jian (劍 pinyin jiàn)
  • Shuangshou jian (雙手劍)
• Hook sword (鉤)

Japan

• Nihonto (日本刀; にほんとう)
  • Bokken (木剣)
  • Chokutō (直刀)
  • Guntō (軍刀)
    • Kyū guntō (旧軍刀)
    • Shin guntō (新軍刀)
  • Hachiwara (鉢割)
  • Iaitō (居合刀)
  • Jintachi (陣太刀)
  • Katana (刀; かたな)
  • Kenukigata tachi (毛抜型太刀)
  • Kodachi (小太刀)
  • Nagamaki (長巻)
  • Ninjato (忍者刀)
  • Ōdachi/Nodachi (大太刀/野太刀)
  • Sasuga (刺刀)
  • Shinai (竹刀)
  • Shinken (真剣)
  • Shikomizue (仕込み杖)
  • Tachi (太刀; たち)
  • Tantō (短刀; たんとう)
  • Tsurugi (剣)
  • Wakizashi (脇差; わきざし)
  • Naginata (なぎなた)
  • Sai (weapon) (サイ)

Korea

• Hwandudaedo (환두대도; 环首大刀)
• Saingeom (사인검)

Southeastern Asian swords

Swords and knives found in Southeast Asia are influenced by Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and European forms.

Indonesia

• Alamang
• Amanremu
• Badik
• Balato (sword)
• Blakas
• Gari (sword)
• Golok
• Kabeala
• Karambit
• Keris
• Klewang
• Kujang
• Langgai Tinggang
• Luwuk
• Mandau
• Niabor
• Palitai
• Pandat
• Parang
• Rencong
• Sewar
• Si Euli
• Sikin Panjang

Myanmar

• Dha

Philippines

• Balasiong
• Balisword
• Balisong
• Bangkung
• Banyal
• Barong
• Batangas
• Bolo
• Dahong Palay
• Gayang
• Gulok
• Kalis
• Kampilan
• Panabas
• Pinuti
• Pirah
• Sundang
• Susuwat
• Utak

Thailand

• Daab
• Krabi

Southern Asian swords

Bhutan

• Patag

Bladed weapons of the Indian subcontinent

• Kirpan
• Tegha
• Sirohi sword
• Asi
• Firangi
• Hengdang
• Talwar
• Kayamkulam vaal
• Khanda
• Malappuram Kathi
• Moplah
• Pata
• Ram-dao
• Urumi

Sri Lanka

• Kastane

Western and Central Asian swords

• Acinaces (Scythian short sword)
• Chereb (חֶרֶב‎, modern Hebrew khérev): ancient Israelite sword mentioned 413 times in the Hebrew Bible.

The Ancient Greeks and Romans also introduced various types of swords, see #Ancient Europe.

Post-classical period

All of the Islamic world during the 16th to 18th century, including the Ottoman Empire and Persia were influenced by the "scimitar" type of single-edged curved sword. Via the Mameluke sword this also gave rise to the European cavalry sabre.

Terms for the "scimitar" curved sword:

• Kilij (Turkish)
• Pulwar (Afghanistan)
• Shamshir (Persia)
• Talwar (Indo-Pakistani)
• Yataghan (Turkish)
• Khanjar (Arabian)
• Saif (Arabian)
• Scimitar (Arabian)
• Zulfiqar (Arabian)

European swords

Ancient European swords

• Bronze Age European swords
  • Harpe: mentioned almost exclusively in Greek mythology
• Iron Age European swords
  • Falcata: one-handed single-edged sword – blade 48–60 cm (19–24 in) – with forward-curving blade for slashing
  • Falx: Dacian and Thracian one-handed or two-handed single-edged curved shortsword for slashing
  • Gladius: Roman one-handed double-edged shortsword for thrusting (primary) and slashing, used by legionaries (heavy infantry) and gladiators, and late Roman light infantry. 3rd century BCE Roman Republic – late Roman Empire.
  • Kopis: one-handed single-edged sword – blade 48–60 cm (19–24 in) – with forward-curving blade for slashing
  • Makhaira: Greek one-handed, single-edged shortsword or knife for cutting (primary) and thrusting
  • Pugio: Roman dagger
  • Rhomphaia: Greek single-edged straight or slightly curved broadsword – blade 60–80 cm (24–31 in) – for slashing (primary) and thrusting
  • Spatha: Celtic/Germanic/Roman one-handed double-edged longsword – blade 50–100 cm (20–39 in) – for thrusting and slashing, used by gladiators, cavalry and heavy infantry. 3rd century BCE Gaul/Germania – Migration Period.
  • Xiphos: Greek one-handed, double-edged Iron Age straight shortsword
  • Xyele: The short, slightly curved, one-edged sword of the Spartans.
• Migration Period swords
  • Spatha: continuation, evolved into
    • Ring-sword (ring-spatha, ring-hilt spatha), Merovingian period
    • Viking sword or Carolingian sword
  • Krefeld type

Post-classical European swords

• Arming sword: high medieval knightly sword
• Backsword
• Baselard
• Carracks black sword
• Cinquedea
• Claymore: late medieval Scottish sword
• Curtana: a medieval term for a ceremonial sword
• Estoc: thrust-oriented sword
• Falchion
• Flamberge
• Hunting sword
• Longsword: late medieval
• Messer
• Misericorde
• Paramerion: Eastern Roman Byzantine sword
• Parrying dagger
• Poignard
• Rondel dagger
• Schiavonesca
• Seax: shortsword, knife or dagger of varying sizes typical of the Germanic peoples of the Migration Period and the Early Middle Ages, especially the Saxons, whose name derives from the weapon.
• Small sword
• Spadroon
• Stiletto
• Viking sword or Carolingian sword: early medieval spatha
• Zweihänder: 1500–1600 Germany

Modern European swords

• Basket-hilted sword
• Colichemarde
• Cutlass
• Dirk
• Dusack
• Executioner's sword
• Karabela
• Katzbalger
• Sgian-dubh
• Swiss degen
• Szabla
• Early modern fencing
  • Feder
  • Rapier
  • Sabre
  • Spada da lato
• Modern fencing (sport equipment)
  • Épée
  • Foil (fencing)
  • Sabre (fencing)

North American swords

• U.S. regulation swords (sabres, and in some instances fascine knives shaped like short swords)

See also

• Classification of swords
• List of daggers
• List of premodern combat weapons
• Lists of swords

References