| Collecting swords is a pastime / hobby that has | | | | today as steel. |
| been around for literally thousands of years. While | | | | At this point in time, sword use had become |
| swords are not commonly used in battle today as | | | | widespread and was essential to survival in many |
| they once were, their emotional and aesthetic | | | | areas of the world. The middle ages did not offer |
| attributes still edify collectors and historians around | | | | much change in this regard. While the Viking age |
| the world. Arguably, the sword first became a | | | | did introduce some minor modifications to the |
| significantly popular weapon during the bronze age. | | | | sword, the underlying concept stayed the same |
| In it's initial stages of development, it is likely that | | | | and there were no major innovations. |
| the sword was more or less a variation of the | | | | As time passed sword technology continued to |
| dagger--that is, an evolutionary product stemming | | | | improve as new metals and alloys were |
| from the advancements in knives and daggers. | | | | discovered. Production technology also improved |
| One of the most important additions to the | | | | which allowed swords to be produced more |
| technology at this time was the concept of a hilt. | | | | quickly, more cheaply, and more efficiently. |
| A hilt could provide a firmer grip on the weapon | | | | Swords became a hallmark adorning the waists of |
| and also, in some cases, served to protect the | | | | generals and important battlefield commanders |
| hands, fingers, and even forearms of the wielder. | | | | even after the introduction of the pistol and rifle. |
| Finally, a hilt was also useful in preventing the | | | | In fact, to this day, in many military processions |
| accidental slip of a hand onto the blade itself. | | | | the sword is present and a symbol to be |
| The iron age was also a major period of | | | | respected. Various swords serve as accolades |
| development for sword technology. At this time | | | | identifying important people in militaries across the |
| the swords became more effective and their | | | | world. |
| popularity skyrocketed. One of the most | | | | While this brief history is by no means |
| important advantages provided by iron was the | | | | comprehensive, and I do encourage readers to |
| fact that it lent itself to mass production and a | | | | seek more information on swords elsewhere, I |
| streamlining of the blacksmithing process. | | | | hope it has sufficed to arouse your interest. If |
| Blacksmiths soon found that adding carbon to the | | | | you would like to experience to the world of |
| iron allowed for an improved alloy--what we know | | | | swords yourself, why not try collecting? |