Edged and bladed weapons

Blades and edged weapons have been used throughout history for combat, hunting and in ceremonies. Bladed weapons include swords, knives and, in more recent times, bayonets. Edged weapons are used to hack and slash but, depending on the weapon, to also thrust and stab. Not all swords, knives and bayonets have blades, but points – intended for thrusting rather than slashing. Other dedicated edged weapons include battleaxes and poleaxes.

Many edged tools, especially agricultural tools such as axes and scythes, have been used as improvised weapons by peasantry, militia, or irregular forces – particularly as an expedient for defence.

Edged weapons and blades are associated with the premodern age but continue to be used in modern armies. Combat knives, machetes and bayonets are used for close combat or stealth operations and are issued as a secondary or sidearm. Modern bayonets are often intended to be used in a dual role as a combat knife. Improvised and dedicated edged weapons were extensively used in trench warfare of the First World War. Entrenching tools and shovels were modified to take an edge and used as weapons.