Sword
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A sword is a hand-held weapon made of metal. It has a long blade, and a handle called a hilt. Often there is some form of hand protection, such as a cross-guard or a basket.
There are many kinds of swords. One kind of sword is a sabre (or saber). A sabre is a curved, light, sword, sharpened on one side and at the tip, and was generally used on horseback. A broadsword is a long sword that is sharp on both sides and at the tip. Another type of sword is a foil, used in the sport of fencing, and is long, and thin, with a button at the tip to protect the fencers from injury.
Swords were first created from bronze by blacksmiths in Ancient Egypt around 2500 BC. Soon other cultures adopted them, and they began to spread quite quickly. Before guns were invented, swords were much more common as a weapon. Since around 1575, swords have not been used as much by armies, except as a ceremonial part of uniforms.