Throughout history, owning a nicely crafted knife or sword isn’t merely a matter of survival, rather it was more about honor and tradition. Whether you are interested in the military issued swords or survival knives, they have played a tremendous role in shaping history. They have always been a popular subject of fascination long ago. The sharp blades are inspired by diverse and dynamic cultures. Here we have discussed some of the oldest knives & swords in history that are still being used and highly recognized around the world.
Balisong
It is frequently referred to as the butterfly knife. It features a blade with two handles that cloak around the blade in the closed position. When we talk about history, the origin of the balisong comes with many controversies. You will primarily come across two schools of thought – some people believe the knife is originated from the Philippines while others associate the origin with France. While balisong tradition is widely observed in the Philippines, still a lot of research and physical evidence is required to explore the area. Those who claim the origin of the balisong from France frequently resemble it with a measuring tool known as Pied Du Roi (“foot of the king”). Irrespective of its origins, balisong is renowned for performing flipping – a common hobby for most knife enthusiasts.
Karambit
Undoubtedly, Southeast Asia is the hometown of many innovative knife designs. One of the most incredible and popular knife styles is karambit. As per the traditional stories, the overall design of Karambit is inspired by the tiger claws. Originally, it was immensely used as a farming tool to pull out the roots, and soon people started recognizing its cutting potential. This creative design ultimately spread and received great appreciation across Asia and very soon in Europe as well. For its curved design, it can be conveniently hit on the weak points such as elbows and knees that make it deadly of course.
Katana
For many centuries, the single-edge and curved blades were the highly preferred weapons of the samurai – the noble warriors. Samurai were primarily appointed as the official guards of feudal lords and were required to follow a strict code known as Bushido. The best-renowned samurai were the ones who could destroy the enemy with just a single sword strike. Considering the noble glamor, one illustrious samurai sword was the Honjo Masamune. It is also known as the early forerunner of the katana that first came somewhere between the 13-14th century. Hailed as one of the leading exquisite Japanese blades ever created. It was passed over the generations and started disappearing by the end of World War II.
Kukri
Kukri is a short and curved blade that was commonly used in the Nepalese military tradition. It was the time when the British military from the East India Company had a battle with Nepalese Gurkha soldiers. They were surprised by the disastrous capabilities of the Kukri. The Nepalese were able to cut down an entire animal or chop off arms and legs with just a single strike. This encouraged the British military to incorporate it into their fighting arsenal.
Roman Gladius
Maybe more than any weapon, the gladius has remarkably helped in establishing the Roman Empire. The double-edged short sword along with pilum (spear) and scutum (shield) has massively contributed to the occupation of the Mediterranean basin. The design is continued to transform over the centuries, though generally, it had a sharpened and a firm point and a dependable forged blade. Commonly used as a stabbing weapon, it worked efficiently for troops to make fierce thrusting attacks against the opponents while protecting themselves with shields. Powerful!
Ulfberht Sword
In the 8th century A.D., the Vikings threatened Europe with their violent raids on coastline municipalities and settlements. They had finely crafted blades that were ordinarily known as Ulfberht swords – the signature on these blades suggest their name. These swords from crafted from premium-carbon crucible steel known for superior strength, sharpness, and flexibility. Approximately 170 Ulfberhts were found from archaeological sites that date back 800 to 1000 A.D. Though the blades of the same quality were never seen in Europe until the Industrial Revolution.
We hope you have enjoyed reading the article. Have we missed any eminent knife or sword with a fascinating history? If yes, feel free to write to us in the comment section below. We would highly appreciate your input.
