Katana (Japan)
What traditional folding technique is used to purify and strengthen katana steel?
Folding/tamahagane forging.
What grip style allows for precise control by placing a finger over the guard?
The “fingering” grip.
Scimitars are easily recognized by what blade feature?
A pronounced curved blade.
The term "claymore" comes from a Gaelic phrase meaning what?
“Great sword.”
What type of combat is the rapier primarily designed for?
Thrusting/fencing.
What is the curved shape of a katana called?
Sori.
Which medieval fighting manual author is famous for longsword techniques?
Johannes Liechtenauer.
In which region did early scimitar designs originate?
The Middle East/Persia.
Scottish claymores were primarily used by what type of warriors?
Highland clansmen.
Rapiers were commonly carried by gentlemen for what purpose?
Dueling and civilian defense.
What part of the katana prevents the hand from sliding onto the blade?
The tsuba (guard).
What is the practice of holding the blade with both hands during combat called?
Half-swording.
What combat style are scimitars especially suited for?
Fast slashing attacks.
Claymores are known for having what distinctive guard shape?
Downward-sloping or V-shaped quillons.
What is the ornate protective structure around the rapier’s hilt called?
The swept hilt or cup hilt.
Which class of Japanese warriors traditionally wielded the katana?
Samurai.
Longswords were most popular during which historical period?
Late Medieval to Renaissance (approx. 13th–17th century).
What is the Persian version of the scimitar called?
Shamshir.
What type of combat were claymores especially effective for?
Wide, powerful sweeping attacks.
Rapiers originated and rose to popularity during which era?
The Renaissance.
What is the shorter companion sword often paired with the katana?
The wakizashi.
What is the name for the blunt edge sometimes used for striking armor?
The ricasso or false edge depending on context.
Scimitars became iconic through depictions of which historical warriors?
Ottoman and Arab warriors.
The claymore appears prominently in stories involving what famous Scottish figure?
William Wallace.
What fencing manual by Ridolfo Capo Ferro is considered a foundational rapier text?
Gran Simulacro dell’Arte e dell’Uso della Scherma.