The world of historical weapons is brimming with different sword patterns. These are among the most commonly represented. See if you know what these were!
Arming Sword
This is your basic cruciform pattern; it typically has a short, double-edged blade with a small hilt meant to accommodate one hand, along with a crossguard.
Hand-and-a-Half
Also double-edged, the hand-and-a-half pattern is about the same as an arming sword, with a slightly longer blade and a slightly larger hilt.
Long/Great/Bastard Sword
Also called a Zweihӓnder in German, great or bastard swords typically had a very long blade, 30” or more, with a longer, broader hilt meant to accommodate both hands.
Hanger
Hanger is a generic name for a small pattern, typically with a short, single-edged, curved blade and a basket hilt, meant to serve as a side arm. They’re called hangers because they were worn hung from a belt or frog.
Cutlass
A cutlass is a type of hanger that generally had a short, broad, single-edged blade and a full basket hilt that fully protected the wielder’s hands.
Gladius
The gladius was a short pattern with a double-edged blade and a short hilt, meant to be wielded with one hand, common around the time of the Roman empire.
Sword Cane
A sword cane is a special type of pattern that holds a blade concealed within a cane.
In a sword cane configuration, when the sword is sheathed, it appears as an innocuous cane.
Scimitar/Shamshir
Both the scimitar and shamshir patterns are very similar; they consist of a long, swept blade with a trailing point and a short hilt with a crossguard. The shamshir or scimitar would be intended to be wielded one-handed.
Falcata
This is a short pattern with a broad, leaf-shaped blade with a single edge. It is much heavier by the point and meant to be swung, similar to a cleaver.
Falchion
This pattern is similar to a hand-and-a-half, but with a single edge. A falchion would typically have a crossguard.
Claymore
This is a Scottish pattern. It usually has a long double-edged blade and a hilt that can accommodate a two-handed grip. The signature of a claymore are its forward-sloping quillions, which may or may not have been tipped in quatrefoils.
Viking Sword
Viking swords were one-handed and had short, broad, double-edged blades. They typically had small, one-handed hilts with lobed pommels.
Saber
A saber is a single-edged pattern with a thin, swept blade and, typically, a basket hilt or a hilt with a D-guard. It is predominantly a military pattern.
Rapier
Rapiers have thin, flexible, double-edged blades and a basket hilt. They are meant to be thrust and are light enough to be wielded with one hand.
Wakizashi
The wakizashi is a Japanese sword pattern with a short blade with a single cutting edge and a ray-skin wrapped hilt, meant to be wielded with one hand.
Katana
The katana is the same as in pattern as the wakizashi but it is meant to be wielded two-handed.
Odachi Sword
An odachi is like a very big katana that is intended to be wielded with two hands; typically they have blades greater than 30 inches.
Where to Find Battle-Ready Swords and More
Are you looking for a place where you can learn more about sword patterns or even explore battle-ready swords? Visit True Swords to learn more – they carry many of these (and many other) patterns.
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