Atkinson Swords

The mechanical shaping of edged weapons to achieve certain forms or design motifs is common across the world. Carving on the flats of the blade is an essential step in certain decorative processes such as a koftgiri. Other times, the carving may itself achieve the desired design features, as in okir.

Quite a range of tools may be used depending on the region. Chisels, files, drills and saws of various types are used. See for example these engraving chisels from western Europe (early 1800’s). 

Filing is used primarily on the non-sharpened edges of blade. This is often combined with inlay. In some cases, the appearance of a design on a filed edge is only apparent when looking at it straight on. 

Filing or carving of the blade near the tip, especially along the top edge, may have both a functional purpose as well as be a prominent decoration. For example, the serration along the top edge of this lawi ayam from Sumatra, Indonesia may be useful as a sword-catcher (to lock up the opponent’s blade during a parry). In some parts of the Philippines, this type of feature on a blade might used as a “tickler”, i.e., to catch an opponent’s clothing as a taunt.

The most elaborate mechanical shaping of blades is perhaps found on the keris from Indonesia. The suite of decorative shaping of both edges and the blade itself is termed “ricikan” or “perabot”. 

One design feature found on swords across the world is the presence of holes in the blade. The meaning of the holes is a matter of debate in most cases. Certain configurations of holes are known to have religious symbolism. For example, the Hindu trimurti is symbolized by three closely spaced holes, as in the kujang shown below.

The meaning of these holes drilled into the blade of a Khyber Salawar from the Pashtun tribe in Afghanistan have been said to signify a warriors prowess in battle, but that interpretation is hotly debated.