History of the Sword

The evolution of the blade parallels humankind’s development of metallurgic technology. About 5000 years ago the Minoans developed metal-working technology, using primarily copper, gold and silver. The addition of tin to copper yielded a bronze alloy which was strong enough to make blades of reliable use.

By 4000 years ago, raiders of the Mediterranean, presumably from Russia, had developed double-edged weapons that could be used for cutting as well as stabbing. Because of the new stresses placed on blades used in this fashion, gradual advances were made in the shapes of the blade and tang to prevent the swords from essentially falling of their hilts during combat.

By about 2600 years ago the Assyrians controlled much of the middle-east, and their empire was founded on the ability to make blades of iron. European tribes at this time were also developing long iron swords, probably based on the Assyrian technology. By 2500 years ago, iron was used almost exclusively for edged weapons. The iron long sword ultimately proved to be too much even for the Roman Empire, and changed little from that time until the Middle Ages.

During the Middle Ages, swords became heavier and more ornamental. Because of the added weight of the sword, the quillon, or hand guard, was developed. This essentially prevented the hand from slipping off the handle and onto the blade itself. Through the Middle Ages, the quillon became more elaborate, sometimes forming a basket to protect the entire hand and making the sword nearly impossible to drop.

In the early Middle Ages, swords were the weapons of knights and nobility, to be used both from horseback and on foot. By the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance, military tactics dictated the formation of large armies. Swords began to be issued to foot soldiers of all ranks to be used as their primary weapons. At this time, the traditional role of the knight began to evolve into the horsed cavalry, and their swords were used almost exclusively from horseback. Broadswords began to evolve into the modern saber.

The saber continued to be a weapon of use in warfare until World War I. Since that period, the new technologies developed in the American Civil War have advanced considerably, and the sword is now used primarily for decorative and formal purposes rather than combat.

Somewhat less is knows about the evolution of edged weapons in Asia prior to the Renaissance era, but beautifully ornamental swords and daggers from Asian regions have been dated back to the 1300’s. These include the Indian talwar, bhuj and bagh nakh; the more modern Indian Khanda; the Indonesian kris and mandau; and of course the daisho, haikuchi, hamidashi, kwaiken and nagamaki of Japan. The most historic of the swords of Japan is the tachi, the first samurai sword.

To Make A Sword

To Make A Sword. Requirements: - Bryce 4. - Adobe Photoshop 5.0. Synposis: In photoshop we are going to create the template for the blade and guard using black and white images. ... - The ...

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anvilfire Guru page for February 21 - 29, 2000

...is that the folks that ask what material to make a sword out of on this page don't have a.....I REALLY need to write a "So you want to make a Sword?" FAQ. . . As I metioned ...

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Sword Making : For Beginners who wish to learn to be a swordsmith

...tools. Most that come to us asking how to make a sword are quite naive about the.....find a Master Swordsmith to teach me how to make a sword." These are serious but often.....find a ...

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Blacksmithing and Metalworking Q&A : anvilfire Guru page : Setembe

...understood. It won't teach you how to make sword- it could help you learn to be a.....is enough to make any normal woman want to make a sword, especially if he was offering.....need to ...

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How to build a Dagorhir Sword

... 2-4 inches above the thumb when holding the sword. Secure counterweight and sticks tightly with duct ... There are many ways to make a hand guard from the rapier's ...

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Weapons, how to Make and then Use them

Sword Making Has how to make rapier hilts as well. Sword Forum Magazine On-Line Really snazzy-looking.

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How to make a War Sword

This is the full list of equipment needed to make a sword. Part2 How to Grind and prepare the blade Shaping and contouring the blade: You have...

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7090. D2 Tool Steel To Make A Sword Blade

Feb 28, 2001. I don't know what D2 is but I do know how to make a good conseling sword but you would need a dremel to cut the metal.

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Stories about morris dancing, sword dancing, folk music, folklore

Ashley's new Morris On album - it's grand, son 22 March 2002 Ashley Hutchings created a folk phenomenon with the legendary Morris On album in 1972. Son Of Morris On followed in the Eighties ...

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HowStuffWorks - How Sword Making Works

Learn how swords are made. Provides a step-by-step guide to making a sword at home.

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