Cutlass is a wide and curved blade sabre whose origin is found in Iberia. It comes from the arabic word "al-janyar" which means dagger. We could appreciate somme similarities between them and pirates sabre and the european cutlass.
Cutlass Characteristics
Cutlass is shown as single-edged sabre with a wide and curved blade. Iis a light sabre and can be made in different sizes, short (70 cms length) and long (100 cms length). All of its parts are usually amde of metal (knob, handle, guard...) but according to the model handle can be made of leather.
Sometimes cutlass have some protections for the warrior's fingers and/or hand. Its curved blade could be really sharpened and its width degree changed according to the kind of cutlass it was. Arabic Cutlass hand in their handles several decorative motifs, normally related to arabic style flowers. European Cutlass were more simplier and they remind of boarding sabres.
Cutlass' origin
We can confirm that Cutlass was created during Middle Age and late after that exported to Italy. Italian Marine Republics used it as a boarding or marine sabre. We must take into account that thanks to ship trips people could import spices, materials and weaponry. Many experts think that Cutlass is a perfect mix of arabic and turkis culture, maybe that's why we have a huge variety of cutlasses.
It's said that Cutlass is the predecessor of the following sabres:
- German Messer.
- English Cutlass.
- French Cutlass.
- Italian boarding sabre.
- Persian Shamsir.
- Spanish Falchion.
- Chinese Dao.
Cutlass is considered an exceptional sabre due to their special gravures and shape. We can not forget that it became one of the most lethal weapons in Iberia conquest by muslims. We are talking about a collection item which is available in our catalogue. If you need further information do not hesitate to contact us.