Knives, Daggers, and Swords: Collectibles on the Rise

By: Chris Robertson

Whether used in conjunction with Civil War reenactments and
Renaissance Faires, or simply as collectors' items, knives have
never been more popular. From the smallest daggers to the
largest swords, knives of all types are finding their way to the
homes of aficionados across the nation.

The variety of knives and swords used throughout history is
staggering. The abbasi, often decorated with gold, featured a
padded hilt and a straight blade. The alamani was similar to the
abbasi, with the exception that the blade of this Indian sword
was curved. The ardaga, used for parrying, featured a shield
with a blade that was attached to a spear, while the anelace
double-edged knife had a broad blade that was a cross between a
dagger and a sword.

The badelaire, which originated in 16th century Europe, had a
blade that was curved and heavy. The earlier 13th century
baselard featured a straight blade in the shape of a diamond and
was used for thrusting in close combat. The steel beladah was
much like a sabre, but with a guard for the knuckles, while the
bilbo was bore a close resemblance to a rapier.

The craquemarte was a heavy sword, typically used on the seas,
which featured a curved blade. Another heavy sword, the dalwel,
required two hands to use and featured a blade with a square
end. The Greek machera, on the other hand, was a bronze sword
with a single-edged blade typically used for cutting.

Knives and swords have also been used by the military in combat
during modern times. During the Civil War, all U.S. Army
officers were issued swords with brass guards, while Confederate
soldiers carried sabers with 35-inch blades. In World War I,
U.S. military soldiers were armed with trench knives, while in
World War II, sailors in the U.S. Navy carried one of over 30
different fighting knives. Even today, British military soldiers
are equipped with daggers that can be stowed in their boots or
on their belts. Having such equipment is a matter of survival.

In the dark fantasy realm, many aficionados collect fantasy
knives and weaponry. From letter openers to Roman daggers, there
is a knife, dagger, or sword for everyone's tastes. Wizard
Warrior fantasy daggers and Mermaid fantasy daggers have images
on the blades. Starship and other futuristic fantasy blades
appeal to the intergalactic longings of many collectors. For
those who embrace the dark fantasy realm, knives, swords, and
daggers bring skull and skeleton themes to life.

Article Source: http://www.collectibles-articles.com

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