Types of swords
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Further information: Classification of swords and List of premodern combat weapons
§ Swords
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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 or similar "sword-like"
weapons.
African swords
North African swords
Flyssa (19th century Algeria)
Kaskara (19th century Sudan)
Khopesh (Egyptian)
Mameluke sword (18th to 19th century Egyptian)
Nimcha (18th century Morocco and Algeria)
East African swords
Billao (Somali)
Shotel (Eritrea and Ethiopian)
West African swords
Akrafena (Ghana and Togo)
Ida (Nigeria and Benin)
Takoba (Mali and Niger)
Central African swords
Mambele
Asian swords
East Asian swords
China
Main article: Chinese sword
Dao (刀 pinyin dāo) "sabre"
Baguadao (八卦道)
Butterfly sword (蝴蝶雙刀)
Changdao (長刀)
Dadao (大刀)
Liuyedao (柳針刀)
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
Main article: Japanese sword
Nihonto (日本刀; にほんとう)
Bokken (木剣)
Chokutō (直刀)
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)
Dōtanuki
Korea
Main article: Korean sword
Hwandudaedo (환두대도; 环首大刀)
Saingeom (사인검)
Southeast 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
Celurit
Gari (sword)
Golok
Kabeala
Karambit
Keris
Klewang
Kujang
Langgai Tinggang
Luwuk (sword)
Mandau
Niabor
Palitai
Pandat
Parang
Rencong
Sewar
Si Euli
Sikin Panjang
Trisula
Myanmar
Dha
Philippines
Balasiong
Balisword
Bangkung
Banyal
Barong
Batangas
Bolo
Dahong Palay
Gayang
Gulok
Kalis
Kampilan
Panabas
Pinuti
Pirah
Sundang
Susuwat
Utak
Thailand
Daab
Krabi
South Asian Swords
Bhutan
Patag
Bladed Weapons of Indian subcontinent
Kirpan
Tegha (curved sword)
Sirohi sword
Asi
Firangi
Hengdang
Talwar
Kayamkulam vaal
Khanda
Malappuram Kathi
Moplah
Pata
Ram-dao
Urumi
Sri Lanka
Kastane
West and Central Asian swords
Acinaces (Scythian short sword)
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 history
Falx
Gladius
Harpe (Greek mythology)
Iron Age sword
Falcata/Kopis (swords with forward-curving blade)
Makhaira (Ancient Greek sabre)
Xiphos (Greek term for the Iron Age sword)
Migration period sword
Spatha [Greek-Roman sword]
Post-classical history
Main article: Oakeshott typology
Arming sword (high medieval knightly sword)
Curtana (a medieval term for a ceremonial sword)
Longsword (late medieval)
Backsword
Falchion
Estoc (thrust-oriented)
Claymore (late medieval Scottish)
Paramerion (Eastern Roman Byzantine sword)
Seax
Viking sword (early medieval spatha)
Zweihänder (1500-1600 Germany)
Modern history
Cutlass
Early modern fencing
Rapier
Sabre
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)
