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.

Howstuffworks "How Sword Making Works"

> Search HSW and the Web. Main > People > Culture. How Sword Making Works ... by Jeff Tyson Table of Contents ... The development of a Japanese...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

[Jewelry making - Article 00032] - [Orchid] Japanese sword

... Rolling Mill Next by thread: Re: [Orchid] Japanese sword Index(es): Message Thread Orchid Resources ... Search | Orchid Forums & Archives | Jewelry Making Articles | Galleries | The ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Modern Japanese Sword Smiths, Polishers and More

Articles on Japanese sword making, polishing, glossary, and list of further resources.

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Met Special Topics Page | The Japanese Blade: Technology and Manufactu

... and the beauty of a finished sword. Japanese smiths traditionally use tama-hagane, steel produced in a tatara smelter from iron-rich sand. Modern smiths making Japanese swords in the ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Japanese sword making - Briefme.com

Suggest a new site in this Category Top » Arts & Crafts Japanese sword making Site: http://nosyuiaido. com/nosyu.htm The word "old," as we use it, is put into perspective when this town ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Sword Making

The making of the sword All steel swords face a basic dilemma: the steel has to be hard so it can be ... to over come this problem, but among them the Japanese solution - the combination of ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

JAPANESE SWORD MAKING COMPETITION

... Bijutsu Token Hozon Kai (NBTHK) holds a sword making competition in Tokyo. Below are the results ... that the Agency for Cultural Affairs of the Japanese government designated Kokan ...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Japanese sword making

Japanese sword making. Archived thread, to continue discussion post a new message in the active Mediaeval Sword Reader's Forum...

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

swords' making steps

Sword Making Steps ... 1. Decide which kind of sword you are going to make.

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]

Richard Stein's Japanese Sword Index

Extensive resource for understanding Japanese sword art includes a visual glossary and articles about sword-making, history, and care.

[ Click To Open In A New Window ]