a brief lesson on swords

alright, this is going to be a brief lesson on swords. i'm putting it in miscellaneous only because i can't think of where else to put it.
first is the broadsword. these can be found in hand and a half or 2 handed forms. the blade design is primarily for thrusting which is why it has the triangular tip. a variations include claymores and bastard swords. claymores are designed as cleaving style blades which is why they tend to be heavier as such the tips tend to be slightly rounded.


next is the cutlass. these swords are a sort of hybrid between a broadsword and a saber. they have more weight than a saber and therefor are better suited for cleaving while the curved blade allows for slicing attacks and fighting in enclosed spaces. thrusting is seldom(if ever) done with a cutlass.


the gladius. a blade made popular by the roman empire. it's very short and if it weren't for the heft of the blade would otherwise be ill-suited for cleaving. the pointed tip allows for thrusting attacks. there are many variations of this sword type.


the katana, a favorite worldwide. this sword is primarily designed as a slicing blade and ill-suited for thrusting attacks. thanks to the swordsmanship techniques used with this sword it can sever limbs like a cleaving blade by slicing. the katana is one of three swords worn and utilize by samurai the other two being the wakizashi (or short sword) and the tanto (dagger) these companions are smaller versions of the katana. typically the wakizashi is used for close quarters fighting and the tanto primarily for seppuku (ritual suicide) or for women to defend themselves.


the nodachi. the blind warriors sword. this is the japanese version of the sword cane. the straight blade is ideal for thrusting attacks and thanks to the techiques used can effectively make slicing attacks. however its lack of heft makes it ill-suited to cleaving attacks.


the rapier. a straight, lightweight blade designed for parries, and thrusts. cleaving and slicing attacks are virtually nil with this style blade. there are other variations, the foil, etoile, etc.


the saber. a favorite amongst the armed forces of the west. its lightweight design makes it ill-suited for cleaving attacks while its curved blade is ideal for slicing attacks and since the curve is mild it works for thrusting attacks as well.


lastly the scimitar. a more deeply curved blade than the saber makes it ideal for slicing attacks, however the blades heft makes it superb for cleaving attacks. thrusting attacks are virtually nil