Dummy question about swords

[19-3Ben]

A sword is a cutting tool. Obviously it has some heft behind it (some swords more than others. I'd never want to compare a Claymore with a Rapier) but does have an edge that it counts on for cutting the opponent.
Well, in battle or any other combat, it would have been whacked against all manner of hard things. Two swords clashing (parry), striking a piece of armor, a missed swing that hits a rock, etc...

Now, I know how careful we all are about protecting our blades because the edge of the blade hitting something hard can chip or roll an edge, or otherwise dull the edge.

So it stands to reason that edges of swords saw lots of abuse and would likely have dulled considerably in battle. Sure you'd want to sharpen it before going to battle, but some of these fights lasted hours if not days, and I would think the edge of a sword would get pretty well buggered during that time. Is this accurate? If so, did the sword just become a dull, blunt impact weapon during the fight and get used to strike and potentially break skin and bones rather than counting on the edge to sever or cut through?

So long story short, I'd love to know how the issue of edge sharpness was address back in the days when swords were one of the primary weapons used in battles.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

The edges do get buggered up, and there's plenty of work that has to be done to put them back to rights. For most European war swords, they weren't hard tempered on the edges so the metal didn't chip as much as deform. It doesn't really have to be razor sharp to get the job done. Worry not, the chips, nicks and dings in the blade will do wonderful as cutting devices in their own right. Great swords especially don't really need to have a sharp edge. In fact, the edge of my flamberge isn't sharpened at all. 6 feet of sword moving at a great roaring clip is no joke. Many of the techniques for properly using great swords require grasping the blade in front of the guard. No bueno if razor sharp. My Katzbalger is a much much smaller sword, but same thing. Sharp pointy end, not so pointy edges. It's made for poking mostly. Oh sure, swing it fast enough and it will go through an arm, but that's bonus usage.

Japanese swords on the other hand are razor sharp, but you don't use the edge of a Japanese sword to block or parry.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Use of the edge to block and parry with the Katana is hotly contested but I was taught in 2 styles that it is appropriate. Parries are usually done with the flat or a slapping motion but blocks we were taught were all edge to edge.

Katana edges are "dressed" in modern times and in cutting competitions and sharp edges are a product of precision polishing other wise. Samurai used to pound their blades into sand before battle on occasion to blunt the edge and prevent chipping of a razor sharp edge - the katana blade geometry is more of an "apple seed" grind with a lot of meat behind the edge. Swords use in executions were considered to be poor blades if they chipped or blunted but Katana were routinely polished to keep them in pristine shape. Most of the blades we see now days that are very old are a fraction of the actual blade from long ago....some have been polished so many times that the core iron shows thru the folded skin steel and these blades are considered to be "tired" but the phenomenon is common.

Blades are finite and oxidize no matter how well cared for. They are tools and consumables unfortunately. I'm not knowledgeable about Western blades but have cut with a lot of broadswords and such. The Western sword is a different animal than the Kats I am familiar with.

Used to teach Kenjutsu and several styles of Japanese swordsmanship until 2009. Lead instructor teaching and studying Kenjutsu, Iaido, Shinkenjutsu etc. Made a few swords - fitted and polished a few for other makers as well.

VooDoo

 

[hso]

but some of these fights lasted hours if not days,

While the battle might, the indivduals can't.

The simplest answer is the most useful - edges were blunted and damaged and then redone as opportunity allowed.

 

[rcmodel]

Any ancient army had armorers following then around just like they still do to keep weapons in working order.

You dull it in battle?
An armorer sharpened it and pounded the dents out of your helmet while you were sleeping it off.

rc

 

[Claymore1500]

I've got a claymore that in no way has a sharp edge, but at 9 pounds with a good two handed swing, it will part your hair clear down to your belly button.

 

[Piraticalbob]

Above replies about blunt swords still being capable of of cutting are correct; As a boy in Florida I used to cut oranges and other citrus in half using my father's unsharpened military academy sabre - - which wasn't much appreciated.