Hey, /k/. I'm not much of a sword guy, so I come here to

>>32169292
A cutlass is shorter and used in shipboard action.

A saber is primarily a cavalry weapon meant to be used against people on foot. As such, they need to be fairly long.

Cutlasses are generally shorter

Sabre is generally longer. Cutlass seems more of a sword used nautically wear as a sabre seems more something an officer or someone on horseback uses.

>>32169292
Cutlasses have shorter wider blades and usually a more full handguard. The handguard is often painted as well because carbon steel and salt water don't mix terribly well.

A cutlass typically has about a 25" blade. A cavalry saber is usually 8-12" longer.

>>32169349
>>32169337
>>32169335
>>32169371
cool, that makes sense, thank you.
Another question if I may, why do swords like these often have curved blades? What purpose does it fulfill?

>>32169389
Curved blades have less of a surface along its edge resisting the material it hits. This makes for a more efficient cutting weapon.

>>32169389

A really intense curve improves cutting ability as >>32169417 said but more commonly it's just an aesthetic choice as a slight curve doesn't make a marked improvement. Straight, single-edged blades just offend our sense of symmetry.

>>32169389
Smaller point of percussion on a cut and easier draw.

>>32169389
Good for a slashy slash

https://youtu.be/tsvPZkysXao

>>32169389
blacksmith got drunk and bent it when he tried to make it normal. once he sold a few he had to keep up the charade rather than admit it was a mistake or he would of went out of business

Sabers are also heavier at the top part of the blade and generally duller, it does more crushing then cutting.