Legendary swords: 5 weapons that made history

A sword can be simply defined as "a long, narrow-bladed bladed weapon with a hilt and guard, used for cutting and thrusting." But the fact is that they have always been seen as a symbol of bravery and nobility, due to the legends involving battles in which such weapons were used!

In this context, take a look at 5 models of legendary swords! Learn about some weapons responsible for stories that have spanned generations, with many of these legends serving as inspiration for blacksmiths and cutlers over the years, keeping the cutting culture alive to this day!

1. The legendary Excalibur

It's impossible to think of legendary swords and not think of Excalibur! According to the stories told, it was the weapon of the famous King Arthur, who would have become the ruler of Britain between the 5th and 6th centuries, precisely after managing to pull the iconic sword from a stone — an act that would prove his divine right to royalty.

Legends describe Excalibur as an extremely powerful weapon, with a shine capable of blinding its opponents and, of course, capable of cutting through the heaviest armor. Even its scabbard was said to have special properties, such as preventing its bearer from bleeding to death!

The fact is that the accounts of its dimensions, shapes, and other characteristics served as the basis for the definition of greatswords as we know them today.

2. Claymore, William Wallace's greatsword

It was in the cinema, through the movie Braveheart — winner of 5 Oscars in 1995 and starring Mel Gibson — that many learned about Claymore, the sword wielded by William Wallace during the Scottish people's battles for the country's independence!

Wallace was one of the main leaders in the Scottish Wars of Independence, which occurred between 1296 and 1328, becoming a martyr after his execution in 1305. His actions on the battlefield — using the Claymore to defeat his adversaries — along with his ideals of resistance were crucial for Scotland's independence.

The important sword disappeared after Wallace's death, not appearing in any historical record until 1825. In that year, it was sent for reforms to the Tower of London and, after its recovery and identification, was retrieved by the Scottish government in 1888. Today, it is located in the Wallace Monument in Stirling.

3. The Sabre of San Martín

History also features legendary swords in South America, still representing the spirit of the people in search of freedom! The Saber of General José Francisco San Martin y Mantorras — or simply, San Martín — is an important symbol in Chile, Argentina, and Peru precisely because of the military leader's importance in the independence of these countries!

The curved sword was San Martín's favorite, appearing in several portraits of the general and in accounts of its use in pitched battles. The military leader himself frequently praised the beauty and characteristic effectiveness of sabers, being lighter and easier to use with precision.

After his death in 1850, the important piece remained in the possession of the Argentine government and was transferred to the National Museum of Buenos Aires to be exhibited to the public.

4. Kusanagi, the Japanese sacred treasure

With all the Japanese tradition from the samurai era, it is clear that the country would have a traditional katana as a representative on this list. The weight of Kusanagi in local culture, moreover, is so great that the weapon is considered one of the three sacred Japanese relics!

In Japanese mythology, the sword was said to have been discovered by the God of the sea and storms (Sussanoo) in one of the tails of an eight-headed serpent defeated by the deity itself. Kusanagi, then, would pass through generations until Prince Yamato Takeru became its wielder and brought another chapter to the weapon's history.

Japanese stories say that Yamato was ambushed in a forest and trapped in a fire. Then, by using the blade to cut the grass around him (hence the name, which means "grass-cutting sword"), he noticed that the weapon was capable of redirecting fire and used this magical property to defeat his enemies.

Legend has it that Kusanagi is along with the other two sacred Japanese treasures — the curved jewel and the eight-span mirror — in the Atsuta shrine, visited to this day for the objects' relevance in Shinto belief.

5. Goujian, the Chinese Excalibur

Perhaps the most mysterious sword on the entire list, the Goujian was discovered in 1965 in impeccable condition, but thorough analyses revealed that the weapon was over 2000 years old. Its origin is unknown, as the artifact was found during excavations of unknown tombs in the Hubei region.

But the fact is that its structure made of copper and tin was preserved by an equally impressive scabbard. The leather protection kept the blade virtually vacuum-sealed, ensuring its impeccable condition even after being buried and submerged for more than 2 millennia.

The quality of the sword was such that even immediately after its discovery, the Goujian was able to cut through a stack of more than 20 sheets with little effort!

All the mystery surrounding the weapon gave it a mystical aura among many Chinese, who began to consider the sword as an object, to some extent, divine, like Excalibur. In any case, the item was included in the list of national treasures of China and is on display at the Hubei Museum.

Since we're talking about scabbards, what do you think about learning about the most famous models and how to choose them?

Now you know more details about 5 of the most legendary swords in history! These special weapons, which constantly float between reality and myth, go far beyond their physical aspects, blending with the history of many peoples.

Such importance also means that pieces like these have inspired blacksmiths to increasingly improve their techniques in search of producing their own masterpieces. In a way, this concept remains alive in cutlery to this day and continues to evolve!

Want to delve deeper into the subject? How about checking out more details about what cutlery is with us? You are invited to discover the world of cutting instrument production, and you can always count on the Cutelaria Cimo blog to be your guide!

Aproveite e compre junto

Cimo

Cimo 10" Carbon Steel Machete with Aluminum Handle and Sheath - 1040/10 C/B

R$ 100,65

COMPRAR AGORA

Cimo

Cimo 12” Carbon Steel Machete with Aluminum Handle and Sheath - 1040/12 C/B

R$ 104,64

COMPRAR AGORA

Cimo

Cimo 14” Machete with Wooden Handle and Sheath - 1030/14

R$ 70,09

COMPRAR AGORA

Cimo

Cimo 16 Carbon Steel Machete with Aluminum Handle and Sheath - 1040/16 C/B

R$ 112,18

COMPRAR AGORA