For millennia, edged weapons such as swords, knives and daggers were the arms of choice for warriors around the globe. These razor-sharp blades inspired fear and fascination and helped change the course of military campaigns. In some cases, individual weapons were even given names and became just as legendary as the people who wielded them.
The best bladed weapon-makers in the country go head-to-head in this must-see series.
One of the most influential of the early swords that arose during the Bronze Age, the khopesh was an ancient Egyptian weapon that featured a hooked blade sharpened on its outside edge. Sickle-shaped swords were typically cast from bronze and were believed to have made their way to Egypt via the Middle East. During the New Kingdom period, they became a common military weapon and were prized for their gruesome slashing ability in close-quarters combat. The khopesh also came to have ceremonial value and was often depicted in art or included in the tombs of prominent Egyptians. The boy pharaoh Tutankhamun, for example, was entombed with two sickle swords of different sizes. The khopesh was eventually abandoned in favor of more traditional swords around the 12th century B.C., but not before it had become one of the most iconic weapons of ancient Egypt.
2. Kukri
For centuries, this short, inwardly curved blade has been a traditional tool and weapon in Nepal. Europeans first became fascinated with the kukri in the early 1800s, when the forces of the British East India Company clashed with Nepalese Gurkha warriors in a bloody war. The locals’ prowess with the blades—including their ability to lop off limbs or disembowel a horse with a single blow—persuaded the British to enlist them as volunteer troops in their army. The Gurkhas went on to establish themselves as one of the world’s toughest military units, and their service knives became prized for their distinctive shape, balanced blades and superior chopping and slashing power. To this day, the kukri remains a standard issue Gurkha weapon and serves as the emblem of Britain’s Brigade of Gurkhas, which consists entirely of Nepalese recruits.
3. Falcata
The falcata was a curved, two-foot-long sword that was used by Celtiberian warriors in ancient Spain. Crafted from high-quality iron or steel, its distinctive blade was single-edged near the hilt and double-edged near the point and was designed to combine the chopping power of an axe with the slashing ability of a sword. The falcata is most famously associated with the Carthaginian general Hannibal, who equipped his African troops with it during the Punic Wars against Rome. According to some historians, the sword’s effectiveness in close combat may have played a role in Hannibal’s crushing victory over the Romans at 216 B.C.’s Battle of Cannae.
Ulfberht swords featured in a vikings exhibition in cooperation with the Danish National Museum and the British Museum. (Credit: Soeren Stache/Picture-Alliance/DPA/AP Images)
4. Ulfberht Sword
Beginning in the 8th century A.D., the Vikings terrorized Europe with their ferocious raids on coastal settlements and cities. While only a select few of the Scandinavian marauders carried swords, evidence shows that those who did often possessed finely crafted blades that were centuries ahead of their time. These “Ulfberht swords”—named the signature present on each of their blades—were forged from high-carbon crucible steel and were renowned for their superior strength, flexibility and sharpness. Some 170 Ulfberhts dating from around 800 to 1000 A.D. have been recovered from archaeological sites, but since blades of a similar quality did not reappear in Europe until the Industrial Revolution, their origins have been the subject of considerable scholarly debate. Some historians suggest the Ulfberhts were made from steel imported from the Islamic world, where metalworking was more advanced, while others contend they were forged from an ore deposit located in Germany.
Filipino Bolo knife. (Credit: AJ Photo/Getty Images)
5. Bolo Knife
The bolo knife was originally an all-purpose tool used for clearing brush or harvesting crops, but in the hands of revolutionaries, it became a formidable weapon of war. The machete-like blades originated in the Philippines, where native guerillas used them as improvised arms in the Philippine Revolution, the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War. Despite being severely out-gunned, these “bolomen” often used their knives to gruesome effect. “Their principal weapon is the long, broad-bladed, vicious-looking knife called the bolo, with which they do their deadly work,” an American serviceman named Ira L. Reeves once wrote of the Filipinos. “They make many boasts of their prowess and skill in taking human life, and one of their proudest feats is to sever the head from the body with a single blow.”The fearsome blades later saw action during World War II, and they remain a common weapon in Filipino martial arts.
Katana
6. Katana
Few images from Japan’s medieval history are more iconic than that of the lone swordsman holding a gleaming katana. For centuries, these curved, single-edged blades were the preferred weapons of the samurai, the noble warriors who served Japan’s feudal lords and followed a strict code known as Bushido. The best samurai were renowned for their ability to cut down enemies with a single, lighting-fast strike, and their swords were often revered as if they were precious works of art. Perhaps the most famous samurai sword was the Honjo Masamune, an early precursor of the katana that was forged in the 13th or 14th century by the legendary swordsmith Goro Nyudo Masamune. Hailed as one of the most exquisite Japanese blades ever crafted, the sword was owned by the 16th-century warrior Honjo Shigenaga and later passed through several hands before disappearing at the end of World War II, possibly after being stolen by an American serviceman. Despite repeated searches, the treasured national artifact has never been found.
7. Bowie Knife
American history’s most iconic survival knife was named for Jim Bowie, the pugnacious frontiersman who became a leading figure in the Texas Revolution prior to his death at 1836’s Battle of the Alamo. Bowie’s reputation as a knife fighter had been forged nearly a decade earlier in 1827, when he killed a man during a brawl on a sandbar near Natchez, Mississippi. The weapon he used was most likely a thick butcher’s knife, but once word of the duel spread throughout the United States, many pioneers commissioned their own “Bowies” from blacksmiths. The knives soon developed a distinctive look that included a 9 to the 15-inch blade and a clip point, and they became all the rage on the frontier, where they were used for everything from skinning animals and chopping wood to barroom brawls. There were even special schools dedicated to teaching the art of fighting with the Bowie. The blades later fell out of fashion as combat weapons after introducing more reliable pistols, but they continue to be used as hunting and utility knives to this day.
Illustrated Roman Gladius sword
8. Roman Gladius
Perhaps more than any other weapon, the gladius helped make the Roman Empire. Along with the pilum (spear) and scutum (shield), this two-foot, double-edged short sword was one of the primary arms of the legions that conquered the Mediterranean basin. Its design evolved over the centuries, but it typically featured a sharpened point and a firm, reliable blade forged from high-grade steel. Primarily a stabbing weapon, the gladius was at its most effective when used within a disciplined formation where troops could protect themselves with shields while making vicious thrusting attacks against the enemy. “In the hands of the highly-trained Roman legionnaire this was the most deadly of all weapons produced by ancient armies,” the historians Richard A. Gabriel and Karen S. Metz have written, “and it killed more soldiers than any other weapon in history until the invention of the gun.”
Attila the Hun burning townships during an invasion of Italy.
9. Attila the Hun’s Sword of Mars
Many legends swirled around the life of Attila the Hun, the barbarian ruler who became known as the “Scourge of God” for his devastating raids on Eastern Rome during the 5th century A.D., but one of the most famous concerns his personal war sword. According to the ancient historian Jordanes, a Hunnic shepherd presented the finely crafted blade to Attila after unearthing it from a field where his flock was grazing. Believing it a gift from the heavens, Attila proclaimed that the sword had belonged to the Roman god of war Mars and displayed it to the Huns as proof that he was destined to succeed in all his military campaigns. He went on to carry his “Sword of Mars” until his death in 453 A.D., but the fabled blade has since been lost to history.
Meteorite swords are definitely the rarest of all rare swords. You have a greater chance that lighting will strike you than holding a real Meteorite sword in your hand. There are only just few hundred of them in the world right now, and you rarely see them for sale.
Meteorite swords are definitely the rarest of all rare swords. You have a greater chance that lighting will strike you than holding a real Meteorite sword in your hand. There are only just few hundred of them in the world right now, and you rarely see them for sale.
Our Opinion: The Strongest Sword – Longsword. The strongest sword of all time in history would be a bladed weapon that can satisfy many factors mentioned throughout the article. The only weapon that can come close to fulfilling these needs is the Longsword, a jack of all trades.
The oldest known knives were made by humans 2.5 million years ago when blades were made of rock, bone, and flint. These materials were brittle and blades often fractured. So over 6,000 years ago, humans turned to stronger materials, including copper and later iron.
The Katana (14th-16th century) - The katana is a type of Japanese sword known for its distinctive curved blade and long handle. It was used by the samurai class of feudal Japan and is still widely regarded as one of the best swords ever made.
1. Excalibur: King Arthur's Sword – British Isles. Owned by the renowned King Arthur of Camelot, the legendary sword Excalibur is considered to be one of the most popular swords in European folklore.
The oldest swords ever discovered are the Arslantepe swords. Found in modern-day eastern Turkey and dating to around 3300 BC, these first swords predate the production of bronze and are made of an arsenic copper alloy.
But one of the fiercest and most difficult weapons to use is the ancient whip sword known as the urumi. The urumi may very well be one of the most dangerous melee weapons ever — not only for foes but also for the person using the weapon.
Hungarian legends refer to it simply as "az Isten kardja", the sword of God. Priscus's description is also notable for describing how Attila used it as both a military weapon and a symbol of divine favor, which may have contributed to his reputation as "the Scourge of God," a divinely-appointed punisher.
The Muramasa is a real historical sword, but it has several legends and folklore connected with it. As time passed, tales were added, and today, it is known in history as the wicked and cursed Japanese sword.
1. Khopesh. One of the most influential of the early swords that arose during the Bronze Age, the khopesh was an ancient Egyptian weapon that featured a hooked blade sharpened on its outside edge.
Swordsmiths specialize in forging blades that are over 24 inches long to craft swords from steel. Swordsmiths use a variety of steels to forge swords, such as high carbon steels and different types of pattern-welded steels, commonly called Damascus steel.
The earliest use of the Hidden Blade can be traced back to the fifth century. One of the original assassins, named Darius, used the device to kill King Xerxes I. Its design was relatively simple. It consisted of a sizable blade extending from a release system located on the wrist guard.
The claymore was a deadly weapon and a devastating tool on the battlefield. With their average length falling to around 130cm, the claymore offered a mid-ranged combat style and the combined length, dual handed wielding, and weight meant that the claymore could easily sever limbs or even decapitate with a single blow.
1. Miyamoto Musashi—Japan's Sword Saint. Miyamoto Musashi in the Duelling Hall. The life of Japanese samurai Miyamoto Musashi is obscured by myth and legend, but this “sword saint” reportedly survived 60 duels—the first of which was fought when he was just 13 years old.
Trishula – The trident of Shiva, stylized by some as used as a missile weapon and often included a crossed stabilizer to facilitate flight when thrown. Considered to be the most powerful weapon.
The Sword of Goujian (Chinese: 越王勾践剑; pinyin: Yuèwáng Gōujiàn jiàn) is a tin bronze sword, renowned for its unusual sharpness, intricate design and resistance to tarnish rarely seen in artifacts of similar age.
Stone tips are one of the earliest forms of weapons assumed by archaeologists, with the earliest surviving examples of stone tips with animal blood dating to around 64,000 years ago from the KwaZulu-Natal, in what is now South Africa.
The Flaming Sword is a phenomenally powerful divine weapon, the most powerful weapon in the Universe. God split the sword into three pieces after Lucifer Morningstar's rebellion. The weapon has the power to cut through anything, including the gates of Heaven and even the fabric of reality itself.
Thor: Love and Thunder will continue that tradition with All-Black the Necrosword, which Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) uses in his mission to slaughter every deity who ever lived. In the comics, the Necrosword is a weapon that gives its user powers close to a god.
In most depictions Michael is represented as an angelic warrior, fully armed with helmet, sword, and shield, in the style of a Byzantine officer, which is typically found even in Western depictions, though some late-medieval ones have him in contemporary knightly armour.
Ngombe Ngulu swords are one of the unique bladed-edged weapons and one of the most terrifying swords in history. Their characteristics are complete with unusual elements that might render them useless for real battle formations. But the Ngombe Ngulu is very effective in ceremonies and executions.
The Cursed Blade is a 4-Star sword that raises the attack stat of any character who equips it. This is beneficial for those whose abilities increase from a higher attack number, be it pure damage potential, or a healing effect.
Haja-no-Ontachi. The longest known ōdachi is the Haja-no-Ontachi (Great Evil-Crushing Blade). Its length is 465 centimetres (183 in) with an overall weight of 75 kilograms (165 lb).
Oil is frequently used for quenching because it transfers heat very quickly and without causing significant distortions. While water-based caustic quenchants are even faster, but the severity at which they do it can distort or even crack some materials.
There are three types of forges to choose from: solid fuel, gas, and electric induction. The forge above is one of the least expensive and simplest forges, but experienced fabricators can build forges that are more energy-efficient, larger, and/or more powerful.
To increase the stealth capabilities of the Hidden Blade, Assassins would cut off their ring finger. This would allow the blade to extend naturally from the hole created by the user's missing appendage. The cutting of the ring finger also held a deep significance for the Brotherhood.
During the battle of Endor, Wing Commander Adon Fox served as Blade Leader until his death during the battle. After the battle's success, the human male Braylen Stramm was given the title.
The strongest metal to forge a sword is Tungsten, but it will be really difficult to forge a sword made out of this metal. Realistically, the strongest metal you can forge a sword with is very high-carbon steel. This is difficult to make because it requires very high temperatures to produce.
Longsword. This is an art practiced using both the hands. It's a very difficult technique to master, considering the size and weight of the sword. The attack moves are similar to fencing, which include the thrust, parry, and strike.
One of the most famous and deadly swords in human history is the Roman gladius. This blade may have derived from those of Celtic mercenaries. Its relatively short and thick blade made it effective for thrusting.
No other region in the world has had a more profound impact on the development of swordsmanship through the years than Japan, which is why it's home to some of the greatest sword masters in history. Kamiizumi Nobutsuna was a renowned samurai in 16th-century Japan.
Titanium is lightweight, strong and corrosion resistant, but it is not the ideal metal for a sword blade. Most titanium blades are brittle and cannot retain a sharp cutting edge. They are also lightweight, making them inefficient for slashing attacks and blocking.
Impact strength determines how much energy a metal can absorb through impact without shattering or fracturing. Tungsten, which is Swedish for "heavy stone," is the strongest metal in the world.
Steel is an iron and carbon alloy that is stronger and more fracture resistant than other types of iron. It is the best metal that can be used for making swords, and this why steel swords have been used throughout history and evolving over the decades.
Description. The Ultimate Blade is an amazingly clean and quick, simple way to remove excess paint from stone chip repairs, overspray, paint runs and dust nips on painted automotive body panels.
The earliest Knives were made of Flint. The first Metal Knives were symmetrical double edged daggers, made from Copper...the first single eged knife was made in the Bronze Age 4000 years ago. These Knives would have been used for hunting, cooking and Carpentry.
While high-carbon steel is widely regarded as the best metal for a sword because of its strength and longevity, other metals, such as Damascus steel, can also be used to make distinctive and attractive blades.
The Cursed Blade is a 4-Star sword that raises the attack stat of any character who equips it. This is beneficial for those whose abilities increase from a higher attack number, be it pure damage potential, or a healing effect.
The Astral Blade is a craftable Hardmode broadsword that autoswings. It has a considerable swing speed and has a much higher base critical strike chance than average. The weapon's damage, knockback, and critical strike chance is boosted by the remaining percentage of target's health.
There are 108 blades to be obtained throughout Muramasa Rebirth. Make sure you play characters under one save file to attain all the blades! Once you completed both stories, the blades will be shared between Momohime and Kisuke.
Stone tips are one of the earliest forms of weapons assumed by archaeologists, with the earliest surviving examples of stone tips with animal blood dating to around 64,000 years ago from the KwaZulu-Natal, in what is now South Africa.
The best sword that evolved, due to the need to adapt to mounted combat, was the curved Turko Mongol saber. There are instances where it is slightly curved like the Scimitars or dramatically curved like the Persian Shamshir.
Not at all. The tungsten would not make a good blade because it is not very flexible or reliable. Tungsten could be used to create a sword's blade, but it would be too heavy and break too easily. Tungsten is also very hard to work and build with, making it even more difficult.
Introduction: My name is Errol Quitzon, I am a fair, cute, fancy, clean, attractive, sparkling, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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