Types of Swords: A Collector's Guide
Swords are easiest to tell apart by three things: blade shape (straight or curved), number of edges, and how the hilt is held. The Japanese katana is curved, single-edged and held in two hands. The European longsword is straight, double-edged and also two-handed. The rapier is a long, slender thrusting sword for one hand. Scimitars and cavalry sabres curve for cutting, often from horseback. Below is a quick guide to each type, with one example from our range where a listing's measurements check out.
Japanese swords
Katana
The katana has a curved, single-edged blade, a round or squared guard and a long grip for two hands. It was worn with the edge facing up, and its blade is longer than 2 shaku, about 60.6 cm (23.86 in). Its shorter companions are the wakizashi and the tanto. For how the sizes compare, see our Katana Size Guide.
Example: Blue Samurai Katana Sword LE-85BL. 41" with scabbard, 37" without, 26.5" stainless steel blade, 10.5" blue hardwood handle.
Ninja sword (ninjatō)
The ninja sword is usually shown as a short sword with a straight blade and a square guard. Historians have found no evidence for it before the 20th century. It became popular through Japanese booklets and films from the 1950s and 60s, and later through American films and television. Our Katana vs Ninja Sword article covers the differences in detail.
Example: Ninja Sword 27 Inch Black LE-741SBK, 27" overall.
Medieval European swords
Longsword
The longsword was used across Europe from about 1350 to 1550. It has a straight, double-edged blade and a cross-shaped hilt with a grip long enough for two hands, about 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in). Historical examples average 100–140 cm (39–55 in) overall, with blades of 80–110 cm (31–43 in), and weigh about 2 to 3 kg.
Example: 15th Century German Gold Hilt Longsword LE-098, 45" with scabbard and 42" without.
Claymore
The name comes from the Scottish Gaelic claidheamh-mòr, "great sword". The two-handed claymore was used in Scotland from about 1400 to 1700. It is known for forward-sloping cross-guard arms ending in four-lobed (quatrefoil) tips. Historical examples ran about 140 cm overall with blades of 100–120 cm. From the 18th century the word was also used for Scottish basket-hilted swords, so you will see it used both ways.
Example: Fantasy Claymore Real Sword with Black Leather Sheath LE-1844-52, 52" overall. As the name says, it's a fantasy take on the style.
Rapiers and cavalry swords
Rapier
The rapier came from Spain and Italy in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was a fashionable civilian sword, carried for self-defence and duelling. It has a straight, slender, sharply pointed blade for one hand, built mainly for thrusting. Blades were often 104 cm (41 in) or longer. The hilt is complex and protective, with rings, a knuckle bow, and on later swords a cup.
Example: Rapier Fencing Sword with Swept Hilt Guard LE-19986. 47" with scabbard, 43" without, 35.25" stainless steel blade.
Cavalry sabre
The sabre is a curved, single-edged sword linked with light cavalry of the early modern and Napoleonic periods. It stayed the standard cavalry weapon in most armies until the First World War. The last sabre issued to US cavalry was the Patton saber of 1913.
Example: US Cavalry Saber With Scabbard LE-813. 40" with scabbard, 39" without, 32" high carbon steel blade, 7" hardwood grip with twisted wire wrapping.
Scimitars
"Scimitar" is a Western name for single-edged swords with a convex curved blade, typically about 75–90 cm (30–36 in). The style is associated with the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa. It covers regional types such as the Persian shamshir, Turkish kilij and Indian talwar. The curve suits a mounted rider, because the arc of the blade matches the sweep of the rider's arm.
Example: Sinbad Pirate Scimitar Full Size Sword LE-2016. 35" overall, 9" two-tone wooden handle, comes with a leather carrying case.
Viking-style swords
The Viking sword, also called the Carolingian sword, was the common sword of Western and Northern Europe from the 8th to the 11th century. It was usually double-edged with a fuller, a groove running down the blade. Historical examples measure about 84–105 cm overall, with blades of 70–90 cm, and weigh about 1.0–1.5 kg.
Example: Handmade Viking Style Sword LE-4007. 40" overall, 32.5" two-tone high carbon steel blade, 7.5" leather-wrapped steel handle.
Fantasy and mini swords
Fantasy swords are modern designs inspired by films, games, anime and legend rather than a historical pattern. Mini swords are scaled-down swords for shelves and desks. Neither follows historical sizes, so the listing measurements are what count.
Fantasy example: Fantasy Dragon Sword LE-9182. 36.5" with scabbard, 35.5" without, 28.25" stainless steel blade, 7.25" cast metal dragon handle, stainless steel scabbard.
Mini example: Short Masonic Sword LE-156. 20.5" with scabbard, 19" without, 13" stainless steel blade, 6" metal handle.
Wooden practice swords
The best-known wooden practice sword is the Japanese bokken. It is used in kenjutsu training and in arts such as kendo, iaido and aikido, and is traditionally made of red or white oak. The All Japan Kendo Federation specifies a long bokken of about 102 cm and a short one of about 55 cm. A wooden sword is safer to train with than steel, but it can still cause serious injury.
We don't have a wooden sword listing with complete, consistent measurements to use as an example right now. See the sword collection for what's currently available.
Comparison table
| Type | Origin and period | Blade | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katana | Japan | Curved, single-edged, over about 60.6 cm | Long two-hand grip; worn edge up |
| Ninja sword | Popularised in the 20th century | Usually shown short and straight | Square guard; no evidence before the 1900s |
| Longsword | Europe, c. 1350–1550 | Straight, double-edged, 80–110 cm | Cross-shaped hilt; grip mainly for two hands |
| Claymore | Scotland, c. 1400–1700 | Straight, 100–120 cm | Two-handed; forward-sloping guard with quatrefoil tips |
| Rapier | Spain and Italy, 16th–17th c. | Straight, slender, pointed, 104 cm or more | One-handed; complex protective hilt; built for thrusting |
| Cavalry sabre | Early modern and Napoleonic periods to WWI | Curved, single-edged | Light cavalry sword |
| Scimitar | Middle East, South Asia, North Africa | Convex curve, single-edged, 75–90 cm | Curve matches a rider's arm sweep |
| Viking sword | Western and Northern Europe, 8th–11th c. | Usually double-edged, 70–90 cm | Fuller down the blade |
| Bokken | Japan | Wooden, katana size and shape | Training in kenjutsu, kendo, iaido, aikido |
Our swords are listed with details such as stainless or carbon steel blades and various handle materials. Treat them as display and collector pieces unless a listing says otherwise. The difference is explained in Decorative vs Functional Swords.
If one style stands out, browse the full sword collection and compare the measurements on each listing. If you're choosing a katana, the size guide explains what the numbers mean.
