Watch now.Īccording to, the rise of the Elizabethan Rapier can be traced to the invention of early personal firearms. Two finalists head to their home forges to make one of history’s most notorious weapons, the rapier, a sharply pointed sword that can kill with just one thrust. It was designed to be used with brute force rather than precision. They could be wielded from horseback or in hand-to-hand combat and with one or two hands.

Most examples of this type of weapon (depending on the century) had blades typically 28-31 inches in length, with handles that eventually measured around 6 inches as the weapon evolved through the years. Its reputation as a weapon of choice for kings, and the toughest knights and noblemen alike, has also made it one of the more romanticized weapons in history.

Watch now.ĭeveloped during High Middle Ages (from 1000 to 1300 A.D.), the Arming Sword, also known as the Knightly Sword and the Crusader Sword among other names, is the most classic of sword styles. The remaining two bladesmiths head home with just five days to forge the legendary Crusader Sword. The forge heats up as our four bladesmiths struggle create a special Japanese hardening technique on their signature blades.

Blade of the tribes