Sabres

WHERE TO BUY A SABER

There are many collectors and lovers of sabers. In our Zetan Medieval Shop you can buy sabers of all kinds; For collectors, functional sabers, sabers of the land army, American army, Napoleon's saber, cavalry sabers, marine sabers and many others.

HOW ARE THE SABERS

Sabers are traditional bladed weapons used in fencing and in warfare. They consist of a long, sharp blade, a hilt, and a fore-end. The blade can be straight or curved and is usually made of steel or high-performance alloys. Sabers are primarily used for cutting and stabbing, and have been used throughout history by different cultures and at different times. Currently, sabers are still used in military ceremonies and in fencing sports. They are also often used in the artistic practice of historical fencing and in martial arts training.

WHAT TYPES OF SABERS ARE THERE?

There are several types of sabers used in different times and cultures. Some of the best known include:

•  The cavalry saber: This saber was used by horsemen during medieval times and the 19th century. Its blade is straight and designed to cut, with a specific handle to hold with one hand. It also has a forend to protect the user's hand.

•  The sword saber: It is a long and narrow weapon with a straight and narrow blade.

•  The American Saber: This saber was used by American soldiers during the American Revolution and the Civil War. It is similar to the cavalry saber, but has a shorter and lighter blade, designed to be used on horseback or on foot.

•  The infantry saber: It is a shorter and lighter saber than the cavalry saber, designed to be used by infantry soldiers. It has a straight blade and a smaller forend.

•  The Japanese saber: Japanese sabers, known as katanas , are famous for their curved blade and great length. They are used in traditional Japanese fencing, laido, and kendo.

•  The Persian saber: It is a curved saber with a long and sharp blade, used by Persian soldiers and warriors. The blade is curved and often has intricate decoration.

•  The medieval saber, which was used by knights and foot soldiers in medieval times, has a straight or curved blade, with a hilt and forend, and was used primarily for slashing and stabbing.

•  The musketeer's saber was used by musketeers, soldiers with experience handling firearms, during the 17th century and early 18th century. It was lighter and more maneuverable than infantry sabers, and was used for melee defense.

• French  Champane Saber Briquet : Widely used in light cavalry and some infantry troops receiving the name of boarding saber. It was also widely used in the American Civil War.

•  The Spanish troops also used the saber in the war in Morocco, the Red Army used the Shashka saber , becoming the last standard bladed weapon.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SABERS

Before describing the characteristics of the saber, we are going to explain the differences between the saber and the sword, since, although they are very similar, there are notable inequalities between one weapon and another.

First of all, we must look at the format of the blade: Sabers have a curved blade, as opposed to swords that have a straight blade. Other differences between these two weapons are weight and counterweight. Sabers are lighter and their balance point is located near the handle. These two quirks make the saber an easier weapon to wield, and increase its speed in combat. More differences are determined by their design and use. The sabers are typical of the cavalry, instead the swords were used both in the fight on horseback and on foot. It is also very interesting to note that the fighting style between these weapons is very different, and it is due to the curved blade of the saber. Its geographical origin is very different, since the sabers come from the Middle East and Asia, while the swords were born in Europe.

There are several types of sabers, each with specific characteristics and uses :

1. Cavalry saber : As its name indicates, it was used by the cavalry in the field of combat. Its blade was curved, the edge sharp, and the hilt conformed to the hand, improving grip even if the knight was wearing gloves.

2. Infantry saber : Shorter and lighter than the cavalry saber, it was used by the infantry in hand-to-hand combat.

3. Hunting Saber : Used by hunting practitioners. Its blade was shorter and wider than the other sabers.

4. Dueling Saber : Wielded in duels and individual combat. Its blade has a longer and thinner blade than the other sabers.

5. Martial art saber : In many disciplines of the art of Japanese combat, different types of sabers are used, adapted to the practiced discipline. For example, kendo.

6. Ceremonial saber : Used in military and official ceremonies. They were generally very ornate. They were not usually used in combat. There are many types depending on the country and the time.

Sabers can also be classified according to their geographical origin :

1. Persian Saber : Known as a shamshir , it features a curved, single-edged blade. Widely used by Muslims in the Middle Ages. It seems that its origin is in Persia.

2. Ottoman Saber : Emblem of the Ottoman Empire. Its blade is curved with a long handle. Used by the janissaries, the best infantrymen in the empire, it was also adopted by military commanders and the nobility.

3. Saber saber : Originally from Europe and used in a considerable way in the 19th century, by the cavalry of some European armies. It has a curved blade and straight handle.

4. Japanese Saber : Known as a katana , it is the most famous and significant sword in Japan. There are many variants, with different names. Its blade is long and curved, the handle long and the tsuba (guard) quite large.

5. Chinese saber : Known as dao . Its blade is straight and single-edged. In some, the blade has a slight curve. Its use time is from the Han dynasty to the Qing dynasty.

6. Hungarian saber : Known as a szabla . Used in Hungary in the 18th and 19th centuries. Its blade is curved and the handle has a crescent shape. These sabers are famous for the beauty of their decoration.

5. Indian Saber : Known as talwar , has a curved blade and a single edge. Widely used in Medieval India. The cuts they produced on their enemies were concise and very penetrating.

6. Russian saber : Known as a shashka . Its blade is has a flat or slightly curved blade. It had a single edge. Used during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was a very versatile weapon, and the same thing made very precise cuts that could hit punches.

7. North American Saber: The American cavalry saber , used in the American Civil War. Curved blade and straight handle. The cavalry charges using this saber are very famous.

10. Egyptian saber : Known as a kilij . It has a curved blade and a single edge. Used in Egypt in the 19th century. It is a very beautiful saber for its extraordinary decoration.

11. Spanish saber : Also known as rapier . Used during the 16th and 17th centuries in Spain and Italy, where the best swordsmen of the time were. Its blade was flat and its hilt long and thin. He was highly regarded back then for his finesse. Its use by European fencers was very notable.

12. Philippine sabre : Known as a kampilan . Its blade is long, straight and has a curved tip. It was a single-edged weapon.

13. Turkish saber : Known as a yatagan , it has a curved blade and a single edge.

14. Argentine saber: The criollo saber , was used in Argentina during its War of Independence against Spain.

As we have been able to observe in the description of the sabers related above, we can say that almost all countries have their own saber.

Westerners use the word katana to indicate all types of sabers or swords originating in Japan, but this is not true, since in that country there are different types with their own characteristics. Some examples are:

Tachi : Predecessor of the katana , it is part of the Daito (swords with a length greater than 60 cm). It had a blade about 78 cm in length. The Tachi was used by the cavalry against the opposing infantry. And it was very effective, since its special format allowed cutting from bottom to top. From the last part of the 15th century, it ceased to be used in combat and became a ceremonial saber, especially intended for the wealthiest samurai.

Nodach i : It was handled with two hands. Very similar to the Tachi , but with much larger dimensions. Handle between 30 and 33 centimeters. Blade, greater than 90 centimeters Its appearance and design is similar to the Tachi , but with dimensions for the handle between 30 and 33 cm and a blade length greater than 90 cm. Used by the infantry to fight against the cavalry and also in close combat.

Katana : It is the ancestral Japanese saber framed in the Daito group . The approximate length of the blade was 70 centimeters. It is a development of the Tachi specially forged for combat on foot. Used since the mid-12th century by the bushi , who were the warrior class. Contrary to what happened with the Tachi , it was worn with the edge up, held by an obi (belt).

Kodachi : It means small Tachi . Its characteristics are similar to the Tachi but with a blade length of 60 centimeters. Worn by the samurai of feudal Japan since the end of the 12th century.

Wakizash i : It looks very similar to the katana , but its length was smaller, since it measured between 30 and 60 centimeters. Usual weapon of the samurai , which often carried along with the katana . This set is called Daisho .

Tanto : This weapon is like a dagger with one or two edges. The blade measured between 15 and 30 centimeters. It has a Tsuba (handguard) and at first glance it is very similar to a katana.

Hamidash i : Similar to tanto, but with smaller Tsuba .

Aikuchi : Similar to tanto, but without Tsuba .

Laito : It is not a real weapon, but for training, but it is similar to a katana used to practice the modern laito . Its design is just like a real saber, but with essential features required for a training weapon. Its blade is not sharp, and is made of an alloy of aluminum and zinc. This allows training, in the form of kata, in a protected way

WHAT DOES THE SABER MEAN IN THE OFFICERS?

The Saber, in the military world, carried by officers has an undoubted symbology. Its bearer must carry it with honor, practice authority with equanimity, and exercise moral integrity throughout his life. "Do not draw me without cause or reason and do not sheathe me without having used me with honor."