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 (19th century Algeria) Kaskara (19th century Sudan) Khopesh (Egyptian) Mameluke sword (18th to 19th century Egyptian) Nimcha (15th to 19th century Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia)
Eastern African swords Billao (Somali) Shotel (Eritrea and Ethiopian) Seme (dagger) (Kenya)
Western African swords Akrafena (Ghana and Togo) Ida (Nigeria and Benin) Takoba (Mali and Niger)
Central African swords Ikakalaka Ikul Mambele Ngulu
Asian swords
Eastern Asian swords
China
Dao (刀 pinyin dāo) "sabre" Baguadao (八卦刀) Butterfly sword (蝴蝶雙刀) Changdao (長刀) Dadao (大刀) Liuyedao (柳葉刀) 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
Nihonto (日本刀; にほんとう) Bokken (木剣) Chokutō (直刀) Guntō (軍刀) Kyū guntō (旧軍刀) Shin guntō (新軍刀) 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) Naginata (なぎなた) Sai (weapon) (サイ)
Korea
Hwandudaedo (환두대도; 环首大刀) Saingeom (사인검)
Southeastern Asian swords Swords and knives found in Southeast Asia are influenced by Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and European forms.
Indonesia/Malaysia Alamang Amanremu Badik Balato (sword) Blakas Gari (sword) 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 (Scythian short sword) Chereb (חֶרֶב, modern Hebrew khérev): ancient Israelite sword mentioned 413 times in the Hebrew Bible. The Ancient Greeks and Romans also introduced various types of swords, see #Ancient Europe.
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:
Kilij (Turkish) Pulwar (Afghanistan) Shamshir (Persia) Yataghan (Turkish) Khanjar (Arabian) Saif (Arabian) Scimitar (Arabian) Zulfiqar (Arabian)
European swords
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 48–60 cm (19–24 in) – 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 (primary) and slashing, used by legionaries (heavy infantry) and gladiators, and late Roman light infantry. 3rd century BCE Roman Republic – late Roman Empire. Kopis: one-handed single-edged sword – blade 48–60 cm (19–24 in) – with forward-curving blade for slashing Makhaira: Greek one-handed, single-edged shortsword or knife for cutting (primary) and thrusting Pugio: Roman dagger Rhomphaia: Greek single-edged straight or slightly curved broadsword – blade 60–80 cm (24–31 in) – for slashing (primary) and thrusting Spatha: Celtic/Germanic/Roman one-handed double-edged longsword – blade 50–100 cm (20–39 in) – 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 (ring-spatha, ring-hilt spatha), 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 (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)
See also Classification of swords List of daggers Lists of swords
References