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 or similar "sword-like" weapons.

Northern African swords

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

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

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

Bhutan

 * Patag

Bladed weapons of the Indian subcontinent

 * Kirpan
 * Tegha (curved sword)
 * 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 (, 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.

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)

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 – – 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 – – 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 – – for slashing (primary) and thrusting
 * Spatha: Celtic/Germanic/Roman one-handed double-edged longsword – blade 50 – – 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)