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Hand-and-a-half swords developed around the mid-15th century and were used well into the 16th century. They featured long handles with half-grips and so could be wielded with one hand or two. The typically tapered blades were longer than arming swords but did not possess the double-hand grips of heavier war-swords. Perhaps because hand-and-a-half swords did not legitimately belong to either of these sword families, they were also known as bastard...

1. German Bastard SwordA replica of the famed Wallace Collection and a perfect example of a true bastard sword. A good bastard sword has dimensions nearly identical to a one handed sword, but the grip is extended and the pommel stretched so that a second hand can comfortably be used. Thus they are also known as hand-and-a-half swords. These swords came to prominence as a cavalry weapon. They allowed enough reach to be used from horsebac...

Fantasy Swords. For many of us, this was the first foray into the world of arms and armor ownership. The out of this world and awe-inspiring designs of these blades made them an attractive first purchase. In many cases the swords where replica models of popular blades from the films, books, and television (like J. R. R. Tolkien's Sting or the sword of Blade from the Marvel movie series) making them even more desirable. While these blades tend to...