Edged and bladed weapons

An edged, or, is a melee weapon with a cutting edge. Bladed weapons include swords, daggers, and knives. Edged weapons are used to cut, hack, or slash; some edged weapons (such as many kinds of swords) may also permit thrusting and stabbing. Edged weapons contrast with blunt weapons such as maces, and with thrusting weapons such as spears.

Many edged agricultural tools such as machetes, hatchets, axes, sickles, and scythes, have been used as improvised weapons by peasantry, militia, or irregular forces – particularly as an expedient for defence.

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