# Types of swords

This is a list of types of swords.
The term sword used here is a narrow definition. This is not a general List of premodern combat weapons and does not include the machete, macuahuitl or similar "sword-like" weapons.

## African swords
### Northern African swords

* Flyssa (19th century Algeria)
* Kaskara (19th century Sudan)
* Khopesh (Egyptian)
* Mameluke sword (18th to 19th century Egyptian)
* Nimcha (15th to 19th century Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia)

### Eastern African swords

* Billao (Somali)
* Shotel (Eritrea and Ethiopian)

### Western African swords

* Akrafena (Ghana and Togo)
* Ida (Nigeria and Benin)
* Takoba (Mali and Niger)

### Central African swords

* Ikakalaka
* Ngulu

## Asian swords
### Eastern Asian swords
#### China

* Dao (刀 pinyin dāo) "sabre"
** Baguadao (八卦道)
** Butterfly sword (蝴蝶雙刀)
** Changdao (長刀)
** Dadao (大刀)
** Liuyedao (柳葉刀)
** Miao dao (苗刀)
** Nandao (南刀)
** Piandao (片刀)
** Wodao (倭刀)
** Yanmaodao (雁翎刀)
** Zhanmadao (斬馬刀)
* Jian (劍 pinyin jiàn)
** Shuangshou jian (雙手劍)
* Hook sword (鉤)

#### Japan

* Nihonto (日本刀; にほんとう)
** Bokken (木剣)
** Chokutō (直刀)
** Guntō (軍刀)
*** Kyū guntō (旧軍刀)
*** Shin guntō (新軍刀)
** Hachiwara (鉢割)
** Iaitō (居合刀)
** Jintachi (陣太刀)
** Katana (刀; かたな)
** Kenukigata tachi (毛抜型太刀)
** Kodachi (小太刀)
** Nagamaki (長巻)
** Ninjato (忍者刀)
** Ōdachi/Nodachi (大太刀/野太刀)
** Sasuga (刺刀)
** Shinai (竹刀)
** Shinken (真剣)
** Shikomizue (仕込み杖)
** Tachi (太刀; たち)
** Tantō (短刀; たんとう)
** Tsurugi (剣)
** Wakizashi (脇差; わきざし)
** Naginata (なぎなた)
** Sai (weapon) (サイ)

#### Korea

* Hwandudaedo (환두대도; 环首大刀)
* Saingeom (사인검)

### Southeastern Asian swords

Swords and knives found in Southeast Asia are influenced by Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and European forms.

#### Indonesia

* Alamang
* Amanremu
* Badik
* Balato (sword)
* Blakas
* Gari (sword)
* Golok
* Kabeala
* Karambit
* Keris
* Klewang
* Kujang
* Langgai Tinggang
* Luwuk
* Mandau
* Niabor
* Palitai
* Pandat
* Parang
* Rencong
* Sewar
* Si Euli
* Sikin Panjang

#### Myanmar

* Dha

#### Philippines

* Balasiong
* Balisword
* Balisong
* Bangkung
* Banyal
* Barong
* Batangas
* Bolo
* Dahong Palay
* Gayang
* Gulok
* Kalis
* Kampilan
* Panabas
* Pinuti
* Pirah
* Sundang
* Susuwat
* Utak

#### Thailand

* Daab
* Krabi

### Southern Asian swords
#### Bhutan

* Patag

#### Bladed weapons of the Indian subcontinent

* Kirpan
* Tegha
* Sirohi sword
* Asi
* Firangi
* Hengdang
* Talwar
* Kayamkulam vaal
* Khanda
* Malappuram Kathi
* Moplah
* Pata
* Ram-dao
* Urumi

#### Sri Lanka

* Kastane

### Western and Central Asian swords

* Acinaces (Scythian short sword)
* Chereb (חֶרֶב‎, modern Hebrew khérev): ancient Israelite sword mentioned 413 times in the Hebrew Bible.
The Ancient Greeks and Romans also introduced various types of swords, see #Ancient Europe.

#### Post-classical period

All of the Islamic world during the 16th to 18th century, including the Ottoman Empire and Persia were influenced by the "scimitar" type of single-edged curved sword. Via the Mameluke sword this also gave rise to the European cavalry sabre.
Terms for the "scimitar" curved sword:
* Kilij (Turkish)
* Pulwar (Afghanistan)
* Shamshir (Persia)
* Talwar (Indo-Pakistani)
* Yataghan (Turkish)
* Khanjar (Arabian)
* Saif (Arabian)
* Scimitar (Arabian)
* Zulfiqar (Arabian)

## European swords
### Ancient European swords

* Bronze Age European swords
** Harpe: mentioned almost exclusively in Greek mythology
* Iron Age European swords
** Falcata: one-handed single-edged sword – blade 48–60 cm (19–24 in) – with forward-curving blade for slashing
** Falx: Dacian and Thracian one-handed or two-handed single-edged curved shortsword for slashing
** Gladius: Roman one-handed double-edged shortsword for thrusting (primary) and slashing, used by legionaries (heavy infantry) and gladiators, and late Roman light infantry. 3rd century BCE Roman Republic – late Roman Empire.
** Kopis: one-handed single-edged sword – blade 48–60 cm (19–24 in) – with forward-curving blade for slashing
** Makhaira: Greek one-handed, single-edged shortsword or knife for cutting (primary) and thrusting
** Pugio: Roman dagger
** Rhomphaia: Greek single-edged straight or slightly curved broadsword – blade 60–80 cm (24–31 in) – for slashing (primary) and thrusting
** Spatha: Celtic/Germanic/Roman one-handed double-edged longsword – blade 50–100 cm (20–39 in) – for thrusting and slashing, used by gladiators, cavalry and heavy infantry. 3rd century BCE Gaul/Germania – Migration Period.
** Xiphos: Greek one-handed, double-edged Iron Age straight shortsword
** Xyele: The short, slightly curved, one-edged sword of the Spartans.
* Migration Period swords
** Spatha: continuation, evolved into
*** Ring-sword (ring-spatha, ring-hilt spatha), Merovingian period
*** Viking sword or Carolingian sword
** Krefeld type

### Post-classical European swords

* Arming sword: high medieval knightly sword
* Backsword
* Baselard
* Carracks black sword
* Cinquedea
* Claymore: late medieval Scottish sword
* Curtana: a medieval term for a ceremonial sword
* Estoc: thrust-oriented sword
* Falchion
* Flamberge
* Glaive
* Hunting sword
* Longsword: late medieval
* Messer
* Misericorde
* Paramerion: Eastern Roman Byzantine sword
* Parrying dagger
* Poignard
* Rondel dagger
* Schiavonesca
* Seax: shortsword, knife or dagger of varying sizes typical of the Germanic peoples of the Migration Period and the Early Middle Ages, especially the Saxons, whose name derives from the weapon.
* Small sword
* Spadroon
* Stiletto
* Viking sword or Carolingian sword: early medieval spatha
* Zweihänder: 1500–1600 Germany

### Modern European swords

* Basket-hilted sword
* Colichemarde
* Cutlass
* Dirk
* Dusack
* Executioner's sword
* Karabela
* Katzbalger
* Sgian-dubh
* Swiss degen
* Szabla
* Early modern fencing
** Feder
** Rapier
** Sabre
** Spada da lato
* Modern fencing (sport equipment)
** Épée
** Foil (fencing)
** Sabre (fencing)

## North American swords

* U.S. regulation swords (sabres, and in some instances fascine knives shaped like short swords)