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
- Kaskara
- Khopesh
- Mameluke sword
- Nimcha
Eastern African swords
- Billao
- Shotel
Western African swords
- Akrafena
- Ida
- Takoba
Central African swords
- Ikakalaka
- Ikul
- Mambele
- Ngulu
Asian swords
Eastern Asian swords
China
- Dao "sabre"
- * Baguadao
- * Butterfly sword
- * Changdao
- * Dadao
- * Liuyedao
- * Miao dao
- * Nandao
- * Piandao
- * Wodao
- * Yanmaodao
- * Zhanmadao
- Jian
- * Shuangshou jian
- Hook sword
Japan
- Nihonto
- * Bokken
- * Chokutō
- * Guntō
- ** Kyū guntō
- ** Shin guntō
- * Hachiwara
- * Iaitō
- * Jintachi
- * Katana
- * Kenukigata tachi
- * Kodachi
- * Nagamaki
- * Ninjato
- * Ōdachi/Nodachi
- * Sasuga
- * Shinai
- * Shinken
- * Shikomizue
- * Tachi
- * Tantō
- * Tsurugi
- * Wakizashi
- * Naginata
- * Sai
Korea
- Hwandudaedo
- Saingeom
Southeastern Asian swords
Indonesia/Malaysia
- Alamang
- Amanremu
- Badik
- Balato
- Blakas
- Gari
- 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
- Koftgiri
- Malappuram Kathi
- Moplah
- Pata
- Ram-dao
- Urumi
Sri Lanka
- Kastane
Western and Central Asian swords
- Acinaces
- Chereb : ancient Israelite sword mentioned 413 times in the Hebrew Bible.
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:
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 – 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 and slashing, used by legionaries and gladiators, and late Roman light infantry. 3rd century BCE Roman Republic – late Roman Empire.
- * Kopis: one-handed single-edged sword – blade – with forward-curving blade for slashing
- * Makhaira: Greek one-handed, single-edged shortsword or knife for cutting and thrusting
- * Pugio: Roman dagger
- * Rhomphaia: Greek single-edged straight or slightly curved broadsword – blade – for slashing and thrusting
- * Spatha: Celtic/Germanic/Roman one-handed double-edged longsword – blade – 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, 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
- Knightly 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
- * Épée
- * Foil
- * Sabre
North American swords
- U.S. regulation swords