![]() So a skilled samurai would practice for hundreds of hours to both draws it and attack an opponent in a single move. The slightest delay in drawing your weapon might prove fatal. From 1100 onward dueling and close-quarters combat ruled the day. More than a feared weapon in movies, books, and video games it was the choice of the Samurai and was a symbol of social class. ![]() Far riskier than using other means to hunt bears, boars, and deer, it allowed the hunter to get up-close to a wild beast and kill it with a single thrust proving his skill and bravery. So effective were these blades that they were adapted for and very popular in hunting. If it didn’t kill on the first thrust, you could count on it to maim and disable. You could grip the weapon solidly and put all your weight behind it for maximum effect. Often two-handed they could puncture and separate any armor with a strong thrust. Medical care, not being what it is today, oftentimes could not heal a serious thrust from the sharp, wide blade.Įstoc swords were long, needle-like blades with a very focused purpose- to get through chain mail and plate armor with deadly efficiency. Though it could cut off an enemy’s limbs if it was sharp enough in close quarters combat, the Roman gladius was used a great deal as a thrusting weapon. They saw the effectiveness of this simple short sword used by Celtic mercenaries who fought for Hannibal and adopted it as their own. According to some historians, the design didn’t even originate with Rome. The gladius cut out an empire and policed it for 800 years. The Roman Gladius, most of the known world What better way to do that then create a sword made of sharks teeth? You weren’t just fighting a shark tooth wielding warrior, but the spirit of the predator the teeth came from, a double whammy! Honestly, this could be one of our favorites, very imposing and wicked-looking even though it may not have been all that practical. The Koa was created by Polynesians and Hawaiians to utilize the natural resources available to them AND take full advantage of the terrifying reputation of the ocean inhabitants which fit their mythology. Your list may differ, but we can all agree that the edged weapons of history have made their mark: So, on that cheery note here are some of history’s most fearsome swords and cutting blades. But be assured the purpose was the same- to inflict as much damage as possible on your foe. Different parts of the world had their own take on what was best for the tactics used in their respective countries. The effectiveness of a sword changed with the times and was not immune to fashion cues. It wasn’t unusual for a design to be created or a current tool altered to maximize the destruction against defenses of the day like shield or armor. Over the centuries, the longer version, swords have become the best option for the battlefield and many have a fearsome reputation. When did the first knife fight break out? When the second blade was created. He has lectured at several schools and Universities, WMAW, HEMAC, 4W, and ICMS at Kalamazoo.It’s no secret that since Man had the ability to shape stone and metal starting thousands of years ago, they’ve also been slashing, stabbing, hitting, and basically wreaking havoc on each other ever since. He has taught and published on the history of arms, armor and western martial arts for over 30 years. He has given presentations on historical arms at events including Longpoint and Combatcon, and presented scholarly papers at, among others, The International Congress on Medieval Studies.Ĭraig Johnson is the Production Manager of Arms and Armor and Secretary of The Oakeshott Institute. He is a historical martial artist and a former university professor of cultural geography. is Vice President of Arms and Armor and a member of the governing board of The Oakeshott Institute. The grip is antler and the guard is worked steel mounted on a single edged hunting sword.Ĭheck out the video below for some more information. Here is a more naturalistic Gothic hilt sometimes referred to as the Gothic Bough style.
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