Whether used in conjunction with Civil War reenactments and Renaissance Faires, or simply as collectors' items, knives have never been more popular. From the smallest daggers to the largest swords, knives of all types are finding their way to the homes of aficionados across the nation.
The variety of knives and swords used throughout history is staggering. The abbasi, often decorated with gold, featured a padded hilt and a straight blade. The alamani was similar to the abbasi, with the exception that the blade of this Indian sword was curved. The ardaga, used for parrying, featured a shield with a blade that was attached to a spear, while the anelace double-edged knife had a broad blade that was a cross between a dagger and a sword.
The badelaire, which originated in 16th century Europe, had a blade that was curved and heavy. The earlier 13th century baselard featured a straight blade in the shape of a diamond and was used for thrusting in close combat. The steel beladah was much like a sabre, but with a guard for the knuckles, while the bilbo was bore a close resemblance to a rapier.
The craquemarte was a heavy sword, typically used on the seas, which featured a curved blade. Another heavy sword, the dalwel, required two hands to use and featured a blade with a square end. The Greek machera, on the other hand, was a bronze sword with a single-edged blade typically used for cutting.
Knives and swords have also been used by the military in combat during modern times. During the Civil War, all U.S. Army officers were issued swords with brass guards, while Confederate soldiers carried sabers with 35-inch blades. In World War I, U.S. military soldiers were armed with trench knives, while in World War II, sailors in the U.S. Navy carried one of over 30 different fighting knives. Even today, British military soldiers are equipped with daggers that can be stowed in their boots or on their belts. Having such equipment is a matter of survival.
In the dark fantasy realm, many aficionados collect fantasy knives and weaponry. From letter openers to Roman daggers, there is a knife, dagger, or sword for everyone's tastes. Wizard Warrior fantasy daggers and Mermaid fantasy daggers have images on the blades. Starship and other futuristic fantasy blades appeal to the intergalactic longings of many collectors. For those who embrace the dark fantasy realm, knives, swords, and daggers bring skull and skeleton themes to life.
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Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon
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