The Backsword reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Backsword

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Backsword is a denomination of any type of sword, generally of European origin, that has only one edge, with the back of the sword often being the thickest part of the blade.

Some backswords curved in order to make slicing/chopping action easier, at some expense of thrusting power, but this should not be seens as an overwhelming trend in the type, but rather limited to specialised forms.

Swords of this type include for example the, mortuary sword, sabre, various falchions and the scramasax.