Cutlasses
Cutlasses are types of sabers that are short and broad and were typically used for slashing. They often had a slightly curved blade and the handle often had a full guard. The name Cutlass first appears in the late 1500's and was known as the sailor's sword. A cutlass wasn't just used for battle, seeing as it was solid and small enough that sailors could keep it on them at all times and used it to cut through heavy sailing ropes, wood and sails made of canvas.
The flat blade also made a cutlass good for beating one's opponent with the flat or side of the blade, should you have wanted your opponent to remain alive. It has actually been documented that cutlasses were used by some famous pirates like William Kidd, but were typically used more for intimidation than for actual sword fighting.
Cutlasses were also used on land by those other than pirates or sailors as it is very similar to a machete both in appearance as well as versatility. Farmers and woodsmen would use it to cut through forests and plants, and soldiers in the cavalry used it because it was small and heavy which made the cutlass good in combat.
Cutlasses were used by both the British and United States Navy's and were used by the American's as late as World War II. Today, the British use a cutlass for ceremonial purposes only, but Chief Petty Officer's in the U.S. still carry them.
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