Arya Stark "Needle" - blade shape?

[The14thDr]

The plan is to work on Arya Stark's sword, as well as Jon Snow's "Longclaw".

I've seen some mention that the blade of Arya's sword is shaped like a triangle, with only the front being angled and the back of the blade just being flat. Can anyone confirm whether this is correct, or if the blade has four sides (sort of like a squashed diamond) - like most other swords.

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[The14thDr]

Arya Stark "Needle" - blade shape?

Well over 100 views. Surely one of our resident "sword experts" will be able to help, as I can't really go any further with the build until I know the shape of the blade.

EDIT: with no help forthcoming, I've done some digging and managed to find an answer myself.

 

[akumabito]

Needle is essentially a smallsword, so it should have a triangular blade. Smallswords were thrust-only weapons, and the 'edges' weren't sharpened. Even if they were, it wouldn't cut at all due to the blade shape and the tiny mass of the blade. The commercially available replicas use a simple diamond section blade as they are easier and cheaper to produce.

Man at Arms did a video on their handmade replica:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CouB9aQ9vvc

 

[The14thDr]

Thank you akumabito.
I can't believe it took over 24 hours and almost 250 views for someone to decide to help. [emoji849]

I've managed to find some behind-the-scenes photos which show the triangular blade in greater detail.

 

[akumabito]

You're welcome

Not everyone is into swords, and even pople who are typically don't know much about smallswords. They're not the coolest, most historically significant or most common blades so people tend to gloss over them.

 

[Corewolf]

You're welcome

Not everyone is into swords, and even pople who are typically don't know much about smallswords. They're not the coolest, most historically significant or most common blades so people tend to gloss over them.

Pretty much this. Akumabito is the only one outside of people I personally know that I've ever even heard mention "Smallswords" on anything other than sword forums.

But yeah, he nailed the description and info on this one. Props to him.

 

[The14thDr]

Thank you. I didn't realise that knowledge about "smallswords" was scarce, hence my frustration at having had no replies.

That said, this wouldn't be the first thread where I've asked a question and been ignored (even with something simpler and less "specialist")

 

[Corewolf]

They were mostly popular with nobility pre-renaissance era before the Rapier got really big. Didn't actually see much combat use and were considered "Court" swords (something you'd wear to look impressive while at a high class party) moreso than something you'd actually use in a fight very often. Definitely get overshadowed in Hollywood by the much more popular (and common) rapier and swashbuckler style swords.