In another post I shared some thoughts about various attributes of sword design. Basically, different kinds of sword exist because no sword is optimized for all contexts and different people want different things out of a sword. In this light-hearted post, I share some of my favorite “best” swords.

Why the longsword is the best sword

When laypersons think of a medieval two-handed sword, they might imagine a heavy, clunky weapon more suited for bludgeoning that graceful fencing. In truth, the secret strength of the longsword is its speed and agility without sacrificing power. A longsword isn’t much heavier than a similar one-handed sword, yet you can use it with twice as many hands. This makes the longsword feel like weapon from a lower weight class while retaining the advantages of a sword in its own weight class. The use of a second hand also makes it easier to start and stop your strikes and put the structure of your whole body behind your blade actions. Most longswords can cut and thrust well and are even effective in and against armour. Smaller longswords (sometimes called hand-and-a-half swords) can also reasonably be used in one hand, granting a certain amount of tactical flexibility.

There’s no doubt about it: the longsword is the king of leverage, excellent at striking and changing direction quickly, and a strong all-rounder.

Why the medieval one-handed sword is the best sword

It isn’t. The medieval one-handed sword is basically a worse longsword. The only thing it has going for it is that it is easier to use in one hand.

And yet, the one-handed medieval sword was far more common and long lived than its two-handed cousin. There are a lot of soft advantages to having a sword that can easily be used in one hand. Most importantly and most obviously, it frees up your second hand.

There’s no doubt about it: when it comes to swords, the the medieval one-handed sword is one.

Why the cutlass is the best sword

A short, choppy cut-and-thrust sword is often called a “cutlass” when intended for use at sea and a “hanger” when intended for use on land. No matter what you call it, this kind of sword is clearly optimized for fighting in enclosed spaces. It is much longer than a knife or dagger, but not so long as to be inconvenient indoors or below deck on a ship. If worn at the side, it is easy to draw in a pinch. It can cut and thrust well and often features excellent protection for your weapon hand.

There’s no doubt about it: when you’re expecting brutal hand-to-hand fighting in close quarters, the cutlass is the best sword you can pick.

Why the sabre is the best sword

The smart curve of a sabre blade is simply iconic. Some people say curved blades cut better than straight ones. Regardless of whether that’s factually correct, a curved blade certainly flows better and some of the best cutting swords ever made are sabres. Beyond the pure aesthetic appeal, the curve of the blade also makes push- and draw-cuts easier and opens up unexpected angles of attack as you thrust or make false-edge cuts around your opponent’s guard.

Other sabres feature an almost straight blade. While they may not have access to all the same trick shots, these sabres are often good all-rounders with a healthy mix of desirable traits: reasonable weight, good hand protection, respectable blade length, and balanced cut and thrust capacity.

There’s no doubt about it: the sabre is beautiful, effective, and versatile. No wonder it may possibly the most popular type of sword in all of human history!

Why the rapier is the best sword

The rapier is the ultimate evolution of the civilian dueling sword, continuing various trends seen among civilian sidearms during the Renaissance to their logical extreme. It typically features the longest blade of any sword that can reasonably be worn at the side, good hand protection enabling extended postures that capitalize on that reach, and a maneuverable point for deadly thrusts, all while retaining a respectable cutting capacity.

While the rapier may not be able to hew off limbs as casually as a beefier cutting sword, you opponent will never get close enough to attempt that in the first place thanks to the rapier’s unparalleled reach!

There’s no doubt about it: in an unarmoured duel, reach is king. And the rapier is the king of reach.

Why the smallsword is the best sword

Detractors will dismiss the smallsword as a gentleman’s accessory – more like a wristwatch than a weapon. But don’t let the dainty features and ornately decorated hilt fool you: the smallsword is perfectly capable of effortlessly piercing a human body. At its core, the smallsword is the answer to the question “What if we took a prison shiv, but make it longer and fancier?”

Sure, most smallswords can’t cut, but when you’re playing for keeps, a well-placed thrust will do the job better anyway. It might be tempting to disparage the smallsword by comparing it to its beefier brethren like the broadsword and sabre, but the feather-light weight of the smallsword (with some examples weighing less than 400 grams) puts the weapon in the same weight class as a hunting knife or dagger. The smallsword effortlessly outranges weapons in its own weight class and, despite its petit proportions, is still agile and deadly enough to hold its own against swords from heavier weight classes.

There’s no doubt about it: pound for pound, the small sword is the best sword there is.