Knives And Swords

Knives and Swords is a highly visual gift book for anyone with an interest in the history of swords and other edged weapons. Split into five main chapters arranged by type, the book showcases more than 300 different weapons including swords, knives, daggers, bayonets, axes, and staff weapons in a catalog-style format. But the book offers far more than this. To help place the weapons in their historical context, the book includes special features on key warriors, from crusader knights to US Marines, and their signature weapons. Spotlight spreads provide an in-depth analysis of a selection of the most historically significant bladed weapons, such as the Renaissance stiletto or the Native American tomahawk. And in addition to chapters covering conventional weapons of war, there are also sections devoted to ceremonial weapons, from sacrificial knives to presentation daggers, and blades developed for specialist roles, such as hunting knives and firearm combination blades.

This comprehensive boxed set offers two authoritative encyclopedias on sharp-edged weapons through history and around the world. The first section of each book is a fascinating overview of edged weapons, from the pole arms and ballock daggers of medieval Europe, and the cavalry sabers of the 17th century to the swords of the Russian Empire and classic commando knives of World War II. The second sections offer complete visual directories, featuring each weapon's capabilities and individual specification.With over 1500 illustrations, this is essential reading for everybody interested in the history of military conflicts and sharp weapons.

"This comprehensive guide to the world's most important edged weapons features profiles of every significant type, make, and use from the last 5,000 years."--Page 4 of cover.

This book explains the metallurgy of steel and its heat treatment for non-metallurgists. It starts from simple concepts--beginning at the level of high-school chemistry classes--and building to more complex concepts involved in heat treatment of most all types of steel as well as cast iron. It was inspired by the author when working with practicing bladesmiths for more than 15 years. Most chapters in the book contain a summary at the end. These summaries provide a short review of the contents of each chapter. This book is THE practical primer on steel metallurgy for those who heat, forge, or machine steel.

WITH CHARTS HIGHLIGHTING THE DEFINING FEATURES OF EACH HANDLE, BLAND, HILT AND SHEATH, AND COMPREHENSIVE TECHNICAL AND HISTORICAL INFORMATION, A WORLD OF KNIVES, DAGGERS, AND SWORDS IS HERE, FROM THE INDIAN NATIONAL KHANDA SWORD TO THE QUINTESSENTIAL AMERICAN BOWIE KNIFE.

Swords and other weapons with handles, or hilt weapons, were originally designed for use in melee, or confused fighting, where combatants were little more than an arm's length apart. Wars are now often fought over much larger distances with much more elaborate methods, but for thousands of years swords, knives, daggers, machetes, axes, and other blades were the weapons of choice in any conflict. Even today, infantryman carry some sort of knife into battle. Swords & Hilt Weapons is an illustrated guide to these remarkable tools. From the simple stone knives manufactured during ancient times to today's albion swords, it offers a complete visual history for experienced swordsmen or anyone fascinated by the beautiful construction of a steel blade. Readers will learn about the anatomy of a sword--from the point, to the blade, to the grip--and the differences between one made in Central Europe and one made in Central Asia. What's better: a battle-axe or a bayonet? Become an expert with Swords & Hilt Weapons!

Showcases photographs of more than three hundred swords, knives, and daggers from history--from the finely crafted swords of the Japanese samurai to the brutal but functional bayonet of World War I infantrymen.