Fig. 109.—Straight Quillons and Loops.

Fig. 110.—Fantastic Form.

We may divide the shapes of blade into two typical forms with their minor varieties:

I. The curved blade (sabre, shable, broadsword, backsword, cutlass, hanger, scymitar,[435] Düsack, Yataghan, Flissa, &c.) is

  1. a. Edged on both sides (Abyssinian).
  2. b. „ concave side (old Greek, Kukkri).
  3. c. „ convex (common sabre).

II. The straight blade (Espadon, Flammberg, Stoccado, Braquemart, rapier, claymore, skeyne, tuck, small-sword, &c.): the varieties are:

  1. a. The cut-and-thrust, one- or two-handed.
  2. b. The broad and unpointed (headman’s instrument).
  3. c. The narrow, used only for the point.

It is hardly advisable to make a third type of the half-curved blade, adapted equally for tac et taille (cutting and thrusting), which we find in ancient Assyria, in India, and in Japan. It evidently connects both shapes.

The following diagram shows the three forms:[436]