Medieval Weapons - The Passion of Swords

Medieval swords can add pride and glory to any weapon collector. These swords of the medieval period had very innovative designs. Many of them also had etchings on the blade.

In this article, we talk about some medieval swords which should be present in the collection of a weapon collector. These swords are very exquisitely designed and do not come cheap. These swords are expensive. Remember, all beautiful things in life come at a price, right!

The Scottish claymore sword is one of the most prominent medieval swords. The Scottish sword is a sword used by the Scottish highlanders. This sword is a two handed sword and it has a cross hilt. The Scottish swords were used by the highlanders of Scotland to fight against the English between the 15th and 17th century.  The length of this sword is approximately about 140 cms inclusive of the grip and the blade. The blade alone spans a length of 42” and weighs 2.5 kilograms.

Another sword worth its presence in the collection of weapons is the Longsword. The longsword was used extensively in the European countries in the period between the 13th and 17th centuries. Every part of the longsword is used for offensive purposes in a combat. The grip of the sword is 6”in length and the blade of the sword is 35” long. The blades are double edged and weigh anywhere between 1 kg to 2kgs. This is the sword that you see people holding with both hands while in combat. The longsword is a multipurpose sword because it is used for striking, cutting and thrusting. Now that makes it a wonderful sword, doesn’t it!

The Rapier is a beautiful and aesthetically designed sword which is a must buy for a sword collector. This sword was used greatly in the European countries in the 16th and 17th centuries. This sword is long and slender and has a sharply pointed tip which is why it was mainly used as a thrusting weapon. The Rapier has a complex hilt which is aesthetically designed to provide protection to the user’s hand. The blade of the sword is about 1 meter long and .98” in width and weighs about 1 kg.

The Flamberge is another sword with a unique design which can adorn your collection. The blade of this sword is shaped in the form of waves which imparts a flame like structure. Hence, this blade is also called the flame-bladed sword. The blade was designed in the form of waves because during combat, these swords would cause friction and vibrations that would slow down the opponent’s sword.

In medieval times, dozens and dozens of medieval weapons were introduced.  And because there were different armors and different fighting techniques used, medieval weapons were often altered and redesigned to suit the owner and to maximize function and maneuverability.  A trained soldier who could learn to maneuver a very strong and well-built sword could be a deadly enemy on the battlefield.

Throughout the centuries, the primary weapon of knights was definitely swords.  Though there were a lot of medieval weapons to choose from, the sword held the most honor and prestige to wield and master.  From long swords like the Cold Steel Hand-and-a-Half Sword, opted for their long range to great swords like the Beowulf Sword, opted for their strength and endurance. 

Like any of the medieval weapons, the first sword over 2000 years ago has changed dramatically to further its function; from the short and predominantly for stabbing to longer and stronger swords of the 13th century.  After that, the sword has taken into a lot of considerations and function adaptation for its knight – to stab, to slice, to slash, to thrust and especially to block. 

Today, as we are modernized and civilized enough to discuss our predicaments and conflicts over meetings and civilized discussions – the appeal of taking justice into your own hands and fighting for honor remain – thus the popularity of medieval weapons replica.    Though there are dozens of different weapons, from swords to warhammers to mace to flail to axe; the medieval sword remains to be the most popular of all.

But mostly, enthusiasts love to collect movie and epic swords: The original Rambo knife from Rambo Movie, Dagger of the WitchKing from Lord of the Rings and Sword of Hiro Nakamura from Heroes the TV Series are among the best sellers.

In the past, a medieval knight had to choose a sword to master and his mastery over the sword would be a matter of life or death.  Though we are blessed that we no longer have this dilemma; we choose our medieval weapons according to design, taste and craftsmanship.  The medieval weapons have evolved and changed over the centuries – a true document of the development in metalworking and blacksmithing technology.

There are so many styles and kinds of medieval swords available that it may be overwhelming when you are looking for the right one. Even if you want several swords for a collection, choosing the ones that are most suitable and meet your requirements is not always easy to do. There are many things to keep in mind when determining the best sword to buy such as manufacturer, purpose, materials and style, as well as whether you need a battle ready or replica medieval sword.

There are so many medieval swords available mainly because it was an era when bladed weapons were used all around the world. This means there are different time periods within the general Middle Ages era, as well as different styles that developed in the various regions around the world like, for example, Japanese & Samurai swords, Chinese Swords, Scottish Swords or even Viking Swords. Each country had its own sword making methods and the swords also had their own characteristics so you should know beforehand what general time and region you are looking for. If you want a collection comprising of medieval swords from all regions then you will need to find the best piece or two for display since having more will mean that the collection will be too extensive to show in only one room.

Not all medieval swords are replicas, though. Some of them styled after the typical kinds are swords can also be fully functional and battle ready, which means that you can use them as you want to. This includes for demonstrations, battles and competitions. If you do want a functional sword then it is important to know the basics of using a sword and to know if you can handle a one handed sword or if it is better that you purchase a two handed sword.

There are many places where you can buy medieval swords. The best place to look is on the internet, because there are so many online stores that carry various models from the many different manufacturers. Before deciding on one particular medieval sword it is highly recommended to look at what is available and then pick out the most suitable piece.

One of the most common medieval swords is the longsword. This type of sword was mainly seen during the late medieval period. Longswords are caracterized by their lengthy cruciform hilts. The hilts could be as along as 6 inches providing the perfect space for two hands. The blade was double-edged and could reach as much as 35 inches. The weight of these swords could vary greatly depending on the size. The weight was between 1kg and 3kg.

The longsword was used to strike, cut and thrust, but the great thing about this type of sword is that their shape were designed with offensive purposes in mind. All parts of the sword could be used in combat including the pommel and the crossguard.

The longsword are often refered to as :

- Hand & a Half
- Greatsword
- Bastard sword

Medieval warfare weapons are like a passion for me, i love everything about them. I own a nice collection of medieval swords, Japanese & samurai sword and any other type of swords that can be added to my collection. I guess it is fair to say that it is a passion.

Do you share that passion too?

The medieval Weapons can be separated in many sections. Too keep things short; here is just a small resume of the categories of weapons that could be found in the medieval times.

• Axes
• Daggers & knives
• Swords
• Blunt Weapons
• Polearms
• Tactic
• Ranged
• Siege
• Warships
• Armour
• Fortification

Personally i have a huge preference for the medieval swords and any other types of swrods. What about you?