What is a sword? Everyone knows, or have their idéa, of what a sword is. But there is no common exact definition that is and have been valid over time and in all contexts.
Definition of a Sword as a Weapon
Trying a broader inclusive definition of a sword (as a weapon):
A sword is a weapon with a longer blade with a hilt or handle, meant for cutting and/or thrusting.
So basically there are three things defining a sword:
- a longer blade
- has a hilt or handle
- meant for cutting and/or thrusting
The length of a sword varies quite a bit, but is generally considered longer than that of a knife or dagger. Although there are knives and daggers that are longer than some swords. Very roughly, if it is longer than half a meter it can generally be said to be a sword. If it is shorter it is more likely to be a knife or dagger. But to be clear, half a meter is not any commonly agreed length for differentiating a sword from a knife or dagger and there is no exact definition by length.
The design of the hilt or handle varies, but there must be one else it is no sword, merely a blade or a stick. A hilt is the part that is not the blade, usually consisting of a handle with a grip, a guard and a pommel, but there are also swords with a simpler handle only.
It is meant for cutting and or thrusting. Most swords are edged swords with a sharp tip, designed for both cutting and thrusting, but there are swords without a sharp tip designed for cutting only and also pointy swords without any sharp edges, designed for thrusts only.
Some other definitions of a sword
“A sword is a bladed melee weapon intended for cutting or thrusting that is longer than a knife or dagger, consisting of a long blade attached to a hilt.”
WikiPedia
“A weapon with a long, sharp metal blade and a handle, used especially in the past”
Cambridge Dictionary
“A weapon (such as a cutlass or rapier) with a long blade for cutting or thrusting that is often used as a symbol of honor or authority”
Merriam Webster Dictionary
“A weapon having various forms but consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved blade, sharp-edged on one or both sides, with one end pointed and the other fixed in a hilt or handle.”
dictionary.com
Usage of Swords
Work in progress.
Ceremonial and Other
A sword very often symbolises power and strenght. In various times and places all over the world swords have been worn as a symbol, or just for fashion, as much as for the weapon it actually is. There are swords designed and made entirely for ceremonial purpose as well as there are swords made to just look very fancy. And e.g. just take a look at all made up fantasy swords, where the percentage with a practical design is probably quite low.
Swords have and are beeing used in many ceremonies, sometimes with an actual “normal” sword, sometimes with a pure ceremonial sword, not intended for combat. Well known examples are of course the dubbing of knights, with the person dubbing tapping his sword on the kneeling knight-to-be’s shoulders. Or the samurai’s ritual suicide – harakiri/seppuku, where the shorter sword Wakizashi is used to commit suicide by disembowelment. There where also swords designed for beheading specifically. Then often heavier and not designed for thrust, some even without any sharp tip at all.
Anatomy of a Sword
Different swords can vary quite a bit in design all swords do not have the same parts or detailed anatomy. The only parts all swords have in common are the blade and the handle or hilt (the guard, grip and pommel). The blade can be single edged, double edged, sharp or rounded tip and even without a tip at all, straight or curved et.c. There can be a guard of different design. The handle or hilt have various shape and length depending on usage and if designed for one or two hands. Usually (but not always) there is also a pommel, which too can vary in design. And on all this there can of course be ornaments and inscriptions for the mere look and esthetics of the sword.
Work in progress. Anatomy images to be added.
Ornaments and inscriptions
Work in progress.
What is the Difference Between a Sword and a Knife
We have our perceptions of what is a sword and a knife and it is usually easy to tell one from the other. But there are some swords/knifes that aren’t that easy to define what they are. Generally there are two things differentiating a sword from a knife:
- A sword is generally longer than a knife
- A sword is designed as a weapon while a knife is a tool
But there are exceptions to this. There are some quite long knives, even longer than a short sword. And there are some weapons that are called knives and they are not designed as a tool. And then there are some swords/knifes that are something in between. So, often they are easy to differentiate, but there are cases when it’s not so clear what it is.
What is the Difference Between a Knife and a Dagger
What is a dagger then? It can sometimes be hard to tell a knife from a dagger by the mere look. But except for the length of a sword, the difference is the same as that of a sword and knife.
- A dagger is designed as a weapon, a knife is a tool
But clearly here there are also some knives/daggers that can be hard to define what they actually are, or should be called.
Categorization and Types of Swords
Today we often categorize swords into different types or categories. But throughout history swords have not really been categorized the way we do today, if even categorized at all. A sword has often simply been referred to just – a sword.
Categorization can and is done in many ways today, e.g:
- Historical era of usage (e.g. Bronze age sword)
- Geographical origin (e.g. Japanese sword)
- Specific types (e.g. a longsword)
- Purpose (e.g. training, duel)
- Blade (e.g. single edged)
- Grip (single or two handed, or hand and a half, i.e. either one or two hands)
- Material (e.g. wood, iron)
Have a look at the sword type page for more in-depth regarding different categories and types of swords >>.