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)
Seme (dagger) (Kenya)

Western African swords

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

Central African swords

Ikakalaka
Ikul
Mambele
Ngulu

Asian swords

Eastern Asian swords

China

Dao (刀 pinyin dāo) "sabre"
Baguadao (八卦刀)
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/Malaysia

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

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
Koftgiri
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 #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)
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 – 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 – 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 – for slashing (primary) and thrusting
Spatha: Celtic/Germanic/Roman one-handed double-edged longsword – blade – 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
Hunting sword
Knightly 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)