A Visual Guide to Knife Blade Shapes and What They Were Designed For

The shape of a knife blade is rarely accidental. Long before modern knives were categorized as drop points, clip points, tanto blades, hawkbills, or trailing points, blade makers were already experimenting with different combinations of curves, points, edges, and thicknesses to make knives better su…

Why Did Sword Canes Almost Disappear?

For centuries, a walking cane could be far more than something used for balance. It was a fashion accessory, a symbol of status, and, in some cases, the perfect hiding place for a long steel blade. Sword canes allowed their owners to carry something resembling an ordinary walking stick while conceal…

What Is the Most Difficult Weapon to Defend Against?

Some weapons are frightening because of their size, speed, or raw power. Others are dangerous for a completely different reason: they are extraordinarily difficult to read. A sword follows relatively predictable lines, but what happens when the weapon bends, changes direction in the middle of its mo…

What Is the Best Weapon for Fighting in Tight Spaces?

Some weapons seem almost unbeatable when there is room to move. A long spear can keep an opponent at a distance, a powerful axe can generate tremendous momentum, and a sword has enough reach to dominate the space around its wielder. Put those same weapons inside a narrow hallway, cramped ship, tiny …