The Bastardsword was balanced in such a way that it could be wielded with either one or two hands, making it an intermediate form between the long sword and the knightly sword. Typically, the blade length ranges from 41 inches (1.0 m) to 47 inches (1.2 m), with a weight of 3 pounds (1.4 kg) to 4.1 pounds (1.9 kg).
The Longsword first appeared around 1250. Early long swords resembled one-handed swords, featuring relatively broad blades that were either parallel-sided or slightly tapered. Later long swords (after 1350) had blades that tapered to a sharp point along their full length, with diamond-shaped cross-sections. This made them strong and rigid thrusting weapons that were effective against plate armour. By the early 14th century, the longsword had evolved into a cutting and thrusting weapon with a sharp point for thrusting and a wide, flat middle section for cutting. The typical longsword had a length of about 48 inches (120 cm) from pummel to tip and had a weight of 2.5 pounds (1.1 kg) to 4 pounds (1.8 kg).
The single handed knightly sword first appeared in the 5h century. These early knightly swords featured a transverse, toggle-shaped pommel, a short wooden grip, and a short, straight crossguard. They had rounded tips and were used for slashing rather than thrusting. By the 12th century, pointed blades had been developed that could also be used for thrusting. The knightâs sword had a blade length ranging from 31 inches (79 cm) to a maximum of 33.4 inches (85 cm).
The saif the islamic sword was similar to european swords with a straight double-edged blade and a straight hilt. It is impossible to say with certainty when exactly the curved hilt and the curved blade were introduced. While the traditional view dates the curved blade to the 14th century, there are too many exceptions to support this theory.
The dagger probably originated as early as the Neolithic period through the use of hand-held spearheads. Contemporary European terms for this weapon were coustel or cultellus, and until the 13th century it was used only by ordinary foot soldiers. From the 12th century onwards, the term dagger became established, deriving from the Vulgar Latin word dagua. Six types of dagger can be identified on the basis of their hilts: the quillon dagger, the rondel dagger, the kidney dagger, the ear-pommel dagger, transitional types and the cinquedea. The blades range in length from 8 inches (20 cm) to 19 inches (48 cm).
Sax or seax, (Old English: seax knife), seems to have first appeard in the 5th century. Although most closely associated with the Anglo-Saxons, the sax was also carried by the Vikings. The sax had a single-edged blade ranging in length from 4.7 inches (12 cm) to 39.3 inches (100 cm). The back was either straight or slightly curved. Beginning in the 9th and 10th centuries, a wider sax developed, whose flat, straight back sloped downward toward the tip at a blunt angle. The sax often featured copper or silver inlaid decoration or rune inscriptions.