The task of classical weapons is to carry out defensive or offensive operations. Since the Stone Age, mankind has evolved, working on the creation of models whose purpose was both specific and unique. So, the masters of antiquity developed a special unusual edged weapon.
How did it all start?
The history of edged weapons stretches into the Stone Age and Paleolithic. Products of that time were widely used during hunting and in internecine battles. These are clubs and clubs. Daggers and knives were also created. Stone products were soon replaced by silicon and bone. The first Paleolithic cold steel is a bow, which at that time was considered the most advanced of all types of weapons and was indispensable both in hunting and in battle. With the opening of copper and bronze, swords, maces, knives and daggers are created. A new era of cold steel began in the era of the Roman Empire, when the main role in the battles was given to the saber.
Edged weapons of the Middle Ages
In the IX century, the evolution of the armament of European countries was influenced by their geographical location. Due to the similarity of folk cultures, the technologies for creating edged weapons by masters from different countries had much in common. A significant contribution to this process was made by the legacy of the Roman Empire. Also, European countries borrowed some elements of Asian weapons. The melee weapons of the Middle Ages used in close combat were classified according to the principle of action. As it was in ancient times.
Types of knives
Historians distinguish the following types of cold weapons:
- Shock. To him belong a mace, a club, a club, a chain, a brush and a pole.
- Pricking. This type of melee weapon can be grip (daggers, daggers, rapiers, stilettos and swords) or a polearm (spears, spades, hornbills and tridents).
- Chopping. To him belong: battle ax, scythe and sword.
- Stitching and chopping: saber, broadsword, checker, scimitar, halberd.
- Piercing and cutting. It includes various types of knives.
Manufacture
The expansion of knowledge about the properties of metal and the technologies for working with it made it possible for gunsmiths to experiment. Very often, weapons were made to order. This explains the presence of a large number of products of various shapes and properties. The development of weapons business was influenced by the emergence of manufactory production: special attention of gunsmiths was now given to combat qualities, rather than a decorative component. Nevertheless, ancient edged weapons are not without their individuality. Each such product, depending on the workshop in which it was manufactured, had its own special feature: marking or brand.
Any model is made for a specific purpose: for defense or for offensive. There is also an unusual edged weapon designed to deliver the enemy as much torment as possible. The geography of such creations of masters is very wide. It covers territories from Asia to Egypt and India.
What is hopesh?
This unusual edged weapon is a sickle, the basis for the creation of which were Sumerian and Assyrian swords and axes. Hopes were made in ancient Egypt.
For work, iron or bronze was used. In its design, this unusual edged weapon had a wooden handle and a sickle, which allows disarming the enemy by clinging to a shield. Also, with the help of a hopesh, chopping, stabbing and cutting blows were carried out. The design of the product provided the effectiveness of its use.
Mostly hopesh was used as an ax. It is very difficult to prevent a blow with such knives, in addition, it is able to break through any obstacle. Throughout the blade, only its outer edge was subject to sharpening. Hopesh easily pierced chain mail. The reverse side was able to break through the helmet.
Fancy indian dagger
In India, an unusual edged weapon was created - Qatar. This product is a kind of dagger. This unique blade cold weapon differs from daggers in that its handle has the shape of the letter “H” and is created from the same material as the blade.
As a support for the hand, Qatar has two parallel thin bars. Used as a piercing weapon that can pierce chain mail. The possession of Qatar testified to the high status of the warrior.
Ancient Nubian Throwing Knife
Klinga - this is the name given to the unusual edged weapons used by the warriors of the Azanda tribe, which was located on the territory of ancient Nubia. This product is a throwing knife consisting of several blades.
The blade size was 550 mm. The device of this edged weapon was three blades extending in different directions from the handle. Kling was intended to inflict the most painful blows on the enemy. The Nubian throwing knife served as a very effective weapon. In addition, it was a distinctive sign confirming the high status of the owner. Kling was used only by experienced and well-deserved warriors.
Unique Chinese Crossbow
Before the start of the conflict with Japan (1894-1895), the Chinese warriors were equipped with a unique and very formidable weapon of the time - the Cho-ko-nu multi-loaded crossbow. This product used the pulling and lowering of the bowstring. The whole structure worked with one hand: a bowstring was pulled, a bolt fell into the barrel and a descent was made. Cho-ko-well was a very effective and fast weapon: within twenty seconds, a Chinese warrior could fire about ten arrows. The distance for which this crossbow was intended reached 60 meters. In terms of its penetrating ability, cho-ko-well gave small indicators. But at the same time, the weapon had a high speed. Often, various poisons were applied to the arrowheads, making the cho-ko-well a truly deadly weapon. If we compare this ancient Chinese product with modern similar models, then in its simplicity of design, rate of fire and ease of use, the cho-ko-well has much in common with a Kalashnikov assault rifle.
What is makuahutl and teplopodilya?
Makuahutl - this name was given to a wooden sword used in battles by the Aztecs. In addition to the material from which it was made, the mahuahutl differed from the rest of the similar weapons in the presence of pointed pieces of obsidian (volcanic glass). They were located along the entire length of the wooden blade. The size of the sword ranged from 900 to 1200 mm. Due to this wound, the makuahutla were especially terrible: pieces of glass tore apart the flesh, and the sharpness of the blade itself was enough to cut off the head of the enemy.
Tepostopilya is another formidable weapon of the Aztecs. By design, this product resembled a spear consisting of a tip and a handle. Arm length reached human height. The blade, the size of which corresponds to the palm, like a makuahutl, is equipped with very sharp pieces of obsidian. Compared to the Aztec wooden sword, the spear had a larger radius of destruction. A successful strike of thermal stability could easily break through the armor and body of a person. The design of the tip was designed so that when it fell into the flesh of the enemy, the point could not be immediately removed from the wound. As conceived by the weapons masters, the jagged shape of the tip was supposed to give the enemy as much torment as possible.
Non Deadly Japanese Kakute
War rings or kakute are considered unique military products that were widely used by warriors in Japan. Kakute is a small hoop covering a finger. The Japanese combat ring is equipped with one or three riveted spikes. Each warrior used primarily no more than two such battle rings. One of them was worn on the thumb, and the other on the middle or index finger.
Most often, the kakute on the finger was worn with spikes inward. They were used in situations where it was necessary to capture and hold the enemy or inflict minor damage. Combat rings with spikes turned outward became gear brass knuckles. The main task of kakute is to suppress the enemy. The Japanese battle rings were very popular with the ninja. Kunoichi (female ninja) kakute spikes were treated with poisons, which enabled them to carry out fatal attacks.
