MacheteA machete (; Spanish pronunciation: [maˈtʃete]) is a broad blade originating from Central America. It is used either as an agricultural implement similar to an axe, or in combat like a long-bladed knife. The blade is typically 30 to 66 centimetres (12 to 26 in) long and usually under 3 millimetres (1⁄8 in) thick. In the Spanish language, the word is possibly a diminutive form of the word macho, which was used to refer to sledgehammers.
BackswordA backsword, or pallasch (British Army: heavy cavalry sword), is a type of cavalrysword, characterised by having a sabre-style hilt with a single-handed grip, but with a long straight blade, allowing it to effectively thrust in a cavalry charge. In oversimplified terms, a backsword could be called a straight sabre, and vice versa, the sabre a curved backsword.
FalchionA falchion (; Old French: fauchon; Latin: falx, "sickle") is a one-handed, single-edged 32–38-inch (81–97 cm) sword of European origin. Falchions are found in different forms from around the 13th century up to and including the 16th century. In some versions, the falchion looks rather like the seax and later the sabre, and in other versions more like a machete with a crossguard. TypesThe blade designs of falchions varied widely across the continent and over time.SwordA sword is an edged, bladed weapon intended for manual cutting or thrusting. Its blade, longer than that of a knife or dagger, is attached to a hilt and can be straight or curved. A thrusting sword tends to have a straighter blade with a pointed tip. A slashing sword is more likely to be curved and to have a sharpened cutting edge on one or both sides of the blade. Many swords are designed for both thrusting and slashing.
Basket-hilted swordThe basket-hilted sword is a sword type of the early modern era, originating in the mid-16th century, characterised by a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand. The basket hilt is a development of the quillons added to swords' crossguards since the Late Middle Ages. This variety of sword is also sometimes referred to as the broadsword, though this term may also be applied loosely and imprecisely to other swords.
BladeA blade is the sharp, cutting portion of a tool, weapon, or machine, specifically designed to puncture, chop, slice, or scrape surfaces or materials. Blades are typically made from materials that are harder than those they are intended to cut. This includes early examples made from flaked stones like flint or obsidian, evolving through the ages into metal forms like copper, bronze, and iron, and culminating in modern versions made from steel or ceramics.
FalxThe falx was a weapon with a curved blade that was sharp on the inside edge used by the Thracians and Dacians. The name was later applied to a siege hook used by the Romans.
HiltThe hilt (rarely called a haft or shaft) is the handle of a knife, dagger, sword, or bayonet, consisting of a guard, grip, and pommel. The guard may contain a crossguard or quillons. A tassel or sword knot may be attached to the guard or pommel. PommelLook up in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
SabreA sabre or (American English)saber ( ) is a type of backsword with a curved blade associated with the light cavalry of the early modern and Napoleonic periods. Originally associated with Central European cavalry such as the hussars, the sabre became widespread in Western Europe during the Thirty Years' War. Lighter sabres also became popular with infantry of the early 17th century.
Messer (sword)A messer (German for "knife") is a single-edged sword of the 15th and 16th century, characterised by knife-like hilt construction methods. While the various names are often used synonymously, messers can be divided into several principal groups: A Bauernwehr ("peasant's knife" or "peasant's sidearm") or Hauswehr ("home/household knife") is a single-handed knife, used for utility and defence. Typical blade lengths range from 15 cm (5.9 in) lengths up to around 35 cm (14 in).CutlassA cutlass is a short, broad sabre or slashing sword with a straight or slightly curved blade sharpened on the cutting edge and a hilt often featuring a solid cupped or basket-shaped guard. It was a common naval weapon during the Age of Sail.
Age of SailThe Age of Sail is the period in European history from the mid-15th or 16th century to, at the latest, the mid-19th century, in which the dominance of sailing ships in global trade and warfare culminated. Marked by the introduction of naval artillery, the Age of Sail ultimately reached its highest extent at the advent of steam power.
Tang (blade)A tang or shank is the back portion of the blade component of a tool or weapon where it extends into stock material or connects to a handle – as on a knife, sword, spear, arrowhead, chisel, file, coulter, pike, scythe, screwdriver, etc. One can classify various tang designs by their appearance, by the manner in which they attach to a handle, and by their length in relation to the handle.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.