Longsword vs Short Sword: Which is Better?

Among the vast array of historical blades, the longsword and the short sword are perhaps two of the most distinct and frequently debated. While popular media often simplifies or misrepresents them, these weapons represent fundamentally different approaches to combat, shaped by their design, handling characteristics, and the environments they were used in.

This article delves beyond mere length to explore the unique attributes, strengths, weaknesses, and historical contexts of the longsword and the short sword, examining how these iconic blades dictated different fighting styles and roles on the historical battlefield.

Clarifying What We Call a Longsword and a Short Sword

I know that many sword-related terms can often be confusing, and one common example is the distinction between shortswords and longswords. The term shortsword is actually a general category used to describe any sword with a relatively short blade. This category includes a wide variety of historical types, such as the Roman gladius, the Japanese wakizashi, the xiphos, the cutlass, and many others.

Longswords, on the other hand, typically refer to a specific type of long, double-edged sword that was primarily used with two hands by knights during the Middle Ages. While it’s not incorrect to refer to other longer types as longswords, the comparison we’re focusing on here is specifically centered around the main medieval longsword type.

Longsword Vs Short Sword Design

Longswords are designed with long blades measuring between 80–115 cm, sharpened on both sides. While the blade shape can vary, it is mostly double-edged and ends in a strong point, making it suitable for both cutting and thrusting. The hilt is also elongated, intended for two-handed use, and features a prominent crossguard—often straight—that serves both functional and protective purposes. The pommel, which comes in various shapes, helps balance the weapon and secure the grip.

Shortswords, on the other hand, vary widely depending on type, period, region, and function. They can be either single- or double-edged, but in general, they measure between 30–60 cm in length, making them significantly shorter than longswords. Their blades may be straight, slightly curved, or broad—like the Roman gladius or some Chinese examples and they are designed mostly for one-handed use. Now, let’s compare few specific types.

Medieval Longsword vs Roman Gladius

The Roman gladius is a type of shortsword used by Roman soldiers during the late Republic and early Imperial periods, mainly for close-quarters combat. It features a short, double-edged blade with a strong, tapered point. Its shape and compact size make it highly effective for both thrusting and cutting, and in some cases, it can even deliver more powerful blows than a longsword.

Unlike longswords, the gladius does not include a prominent protective guard. Instead, it features a simple guard designed primarily to prevent the hand from slipping onto the blade. When used in combination with its rounded or bulbous pommel, it offers a secure and stable grip, keeping the wielder’s hand well-positioned and safe. As a one-handed sword, the gladius was typically used in conjunction with a shield on the battlefield—unlike the longsword, which was often wielded with two hands and without a shield.

Medieval Longsword vs Japanese Wakizashi

The wakizashi is a Japanese shortsword traditionally used in combination with the katana by samurai warriors. It features a single-edged, slightly curved blade that is effective for both cutting and thrusting—though primarily designed for cutting. Unlike medieval longswords or the Roman gladius, the wakizashi was used as a secondary or backup weapon, typically employed if the samurai dropped the katana or in tight spaces where longer blades were difficult to maneuver.

For this reason, it is generally less effective than weapons like the gladius, and notably less powerful than the longsword in terms of force. However, it excels in close-quarters combat and confined environments. The wakizashi includes a guard known as the tsuba, although it offers less hand protection compared to the guard of a longsword. Its pommel also does not serve as a counterweight or as a stopper to prevent the hand from slipping. A typical wakizashi blade measures between 40–50 cm in length—nearly half the length of a longsword’s blade.

Longsword vs Cutlass

The cutlass (also called a sabre) is another type of shortsword, designed with a medium-length, broad, single-edged blade. It was commonly used by sailors and naval infantry in close combat—but not exclusively. In fact, the cutlass served many practical purposes beyond fighting, such as cutting ropes, clearing brush, and performing other tasks that required a sharp edge.

In single combat, it was generally less effective than the longsword due to its shorter reach. However, its compact size and lightweight design made it highly practical to carry at all times and to use whenever necessary. Another advantage it had over the longsword was its hand protection. Cutlasses typically featured more robust guards—often in the form of a cup-guard or multiple rings—providing greater defense for the wielder’s hand during combat.

Advantages of the Longswords

One of the most immediate advantages of the longsword was its superior reach compared to earlier, shorter swords or one-handed blades. This extra length allowed a wielder to engage an opponent from a greater distance, providing a defensive buffer and enabling attacks that could land before an opponent could fully close the gap.

Coupled with this reach was the increased power afforded by using two hands. Gripping the sword with both hands allowed for much greater force generation in cuts and strikes, capable of defeating lesser defenses or delivering devastating blows. You could use it for cutting, thrusting, half-swording, grappling, and both one-handed and two-handed techniques.

Advantages of the Short Swords

First off, let’s talk about maneuverability and speed. This is where short swords truly shine. Their reduced length makes them incredibly quick in your hand. Imagine fighting inside a crowded shield wall, a narrow hallway, or even just in a dense forest. A long sword is a nightmare in tight spaces. A short sword, however, is agile and much easier to swing and control without getting tangled up. This speed also translates into faster attacks, quicker parries, and less time needed to recover between movements.

They are generally much lighter than their longer counterparts. This means a couple of important things. For one, they are less fatiguing to wield for extended periods. You can keep fighting longer without your arms feeling like lead weights. For another, they are often more accessible and easier for individuals of various strength levels to use effectively. Though they may not offer the same offensive reach, short swords are very effective defensive tools. Depending on the type, such as single or double-edged, which impacts offensive options, they largely share the same core advantages.

Disadvantages 

The compact size of the shortswords makes them light and easy to maneuver, however, their biggest strength is also their main weakness: reach. When you’re facing someone with a longer weapon – be it a spear, an axe with a long haft, or even a longsword – you are immediately at a disadvantage. You have to get inside their reach to hit them, which means you’re in danger of being hit yourself before you can even land a blow. They also generally lack the sheer force and leverage of a larger weapon, making them less effective against heavy armor. 

Longswords have the advantage of longer blades, providing greater reach. However, they are heavier, which can make them slower and more challenging to handle. Despite the possibility of using them with a single hand, optimal effectiveness requires the use of both hands.

Which Triumphs

In single combat without armor or extra equipment, the longsword would probably win. Its lengthy blade offers superior reach and allows for better management of the distance. This also makes it easier to land successful strikes. Despite that shortswords are faster and easier to control, longswords are still fast enough to prevent a shortsworder from outmaneuvering them.

Last Words

The differences between these two swords are so profound that one’s strengths often translate directly into the other’s weaknesses.

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