This comprehensive boxed set offers two authoritative encyclopedias on sharp-edged weapons through history and around the world. The first section of each book is a fascinating overview of edged weapons, from the pole arms and ballock daggers of medieval Europe, and the cavalry sabers of the 17th century to the swords of the Russian Empire and classic commando knives of World War II. The second sections offer complete visual directories, featuring each weapon's capabilities and individual specification.With over 1500 illustrations, this is essential reading for everybody interested in the history of military conflicts and sharp weapons.
"This comprehensive guide to the world's most important edged weapons features profiles of every significant type, make, and use from the last 5,000 years."--Page 4 of cover.
This book examines the history of edged weapons in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East and surrounding areas before gunpowder increased the distance between combatants. It takes a critical look at the relationship between the soldier, his weapon, and the social and political mores of the times; examines the historical background and metallurgic science of the knife, sword, or bayonet respectively; and explores the handling characteristics and combat applications of each weapon. The book is written for those with an interest in exploring the historical beginnings of edged weaponry, how edged weapons have been used in war in different parts of the world, and the value the soldier attached to his weapon. Military, social, and political history is discussed. Although more than one-hundred photos and illustrations are represented, arms collectors or others with detailed interest in the finer points of weaponsmithing may want to look for books that are more heavily illustrated. The book comprises the full series of ten previously published shorter book on specialized edged weapons and regions, each of which can also be purchased separately: 1. Kukris and Gurkhas: Nepalese Kukri Combat Knives and the Men Who Wield Them 2. Machete, Kris, and Throwing Iron: Edged Weapons of Latin America, Indonesia, and Africa 3. Cold Steel: The Knife in Army, Navy, and Special Forces Operations 4. Japanese Swords: The Katana and Gunto in Medieval and Modern Japanese Warfare 5. Chinese Swords: The Evolution and Use of the Jian and Dao 6. Yatagan, Khanda, and Jamdhar: Swords and Sabers of Persia and India 7. Sickle Sword and Battle Axe: Edged Weapons of Ancient Egypt 8. Gladius and Spatha: Swords and Warfare in the Classical World 9. Longsword and Saber: Swords and Swordsmen of Medieval and Modern Europe 10. Pike, Halberd, and Bayonet: Sharp Weapons in Near Modern and Modern Warfare
Drawing on information from grave excavations, illustrations of battle scenes, and many classical and medieval literary sources, this book discusses how contemporaries showed swords were used and illustrates not only the beautiful form of the sword, but also its beauty of function.
Knives and Swords is a highly visual gift book for anyone with an interest in the history of swords and other edged weapons. Split into five main chapters arranged by type, the book showcases more than 300 different weapons including swords, knives, daggers, bayonets, axes, and staff weapons in a catalog-style format. But the book offers far more than this. To help place the weapons in their historical context, the book includes special features on key warriors, from crusader knights to US Marines, and their signature weapons. Spotlight spreads provide an in-depth analysis of a selection of the most historically significant bladed weapons, such as the Renaissance stiletto or the Native American tomahawk. And in addition to chapters covering conventional weapons of war, there are also sections devoted to ceremonial weapons, from sacrificial knives to presentation daggers, and blades developed for specialist roles, such as hunting knives and firearm combination blades.
WITH CHARTS HIGHLIGHTING THE DEFINING FEATURES OF EACH HANDLE, BLAND, HILT AND SHEATH, AND COMPREHENSIVE TECHNICAL AND HISTORICAL INFORMATION, A WORLD OF KNIVES, DAGGERS, AND SWORDS IS HERE, FROM THE INDIAN NATIONAL KHANDA SWORD TO THE QUINTESSENTIAL AMERICAN BOWIE KNIFE.
