This 38-inch cutlass features bronzed steel fittings and an antiqued high carbon stainless steel blade -- no shiny department-store look in this one. In fact, it looks like it may have seen a little use already. Ornamentation is simple and doesn't look out of place. The handguard is the most decorative part of the sword, created with a turned and forged look appropriate to the sword's history, and the scabbard is embellished with the very important skull and crossbones.

The sword's rat-tail tang handle is secured in place with a turned metal pommel. The grip of non-slip wire wrap keeps the sword firmly in hand even when the weather turns a little bloody. The tapered blade has a crude look that fits the weapon well, since many of the cutlasses of the day were ground down from heavier blades after years of hard use and reworking.

The Black Beard Pirate Sword is costume or display quality, but it has a more authentic look and functional feel than many other fanciful blades. If you're not careful, this one may pull you too deeply into the spirit of the occasion. You'll need to provide your own parrot and eye patch, but this is all the cutlass you'll need.

See the Pirate Cutlass with basket hilt for another classic choice in the Caribbean pirate tradition.

Find this Black Beard Pirate Cutlass:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this sword on eBay:

Edward TeachBlackbeard1680 1718English Pirateholding swordnaval battle US $8.99   Auction Ends: 28d 18h 18m

Blackbeard the Pirate Sword ID Holder Cigarette Case or Wallet MADE IN USA US $12.99   Auction Ends: 28d 10h 29m

The brass pommel, hardwood grip, and brass handguard place this 46-1/2-inch-long sword a level or two above the usual fantasy sword. Lack of plastic really enhances the feel of this heavy, high carbon stainless steel blade. The 34-inch cutting edge could have been inspired by the ancestor of the mameluke sword, now carried as part of the U.S. Marine Corps dress uniform. True shamshirs from the days of the Persian Empire were different in form from this simplified modern blade. Made for slashing, the long, curved, narrow shamshirs tapered only near the point. Shamshirs were built light for attacking from horseback, but Bud K.'s version better resembles a pirate's cutlass. The heavy forward section could do a decent job of chopping and piercing if the blade was combat steel. The curve of the hardwood grip does increases the holding friction during a swing and encourages some swordplay tests, so be careful. This is a massive sword you'll be tempted to try out.

As a collector's piece for display, it's pleasing with cast ornamentation on the pommel and handguard that lends to the more modern fantasy weapon look of this blade. The sword's stitched leather sheath could hang from the belt or a shoulder strap, but the metal snap fittings aren't to be trusted. Stitching on the sheath is a little rough, but it's functional.

The gleaming single-edged blade won't require much maintenance. Provided with a false edge -- shaped but not truly sharpened -- it's a grand sword for re-enactments and collections, but cutting practice may do the blade some damage.

Find this Shamshir Warrior Sword:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this sword on eBay:

18 c Ottoman Turkish Sword shamshir damast wootz blade US $3,200.00   Auction Ends: 15h 37m

OTTOMAN TURKISH KILIJ KILIC antique islamic sword old shamshir indo persian US $1,999.00   1 Bid Auction Ends: 1d 16h 6m

The 38-inch-long sword's 2-1/4-inch high carbon 440 stainless steel blade fits a solid hardwood scabbard covered with dark leather that matches the character of the sword itself. This replica weapon's scabbard deserves as much attention as its 26-inch polished blade. You'll probably prefer to display this weapon in the sheath, since the gleaming stainless steel doesn't match the dark steel of the Tang Dynasty, the historical setting of the House of Flying Daggers story. Ground with a single bevel and flat spine, the sword does match the style of many heavier weapons of old China where the broadsword was one of the most common soldier's arms. All this one lacks visually is the dark patina of old combat steel.

Similar to Captain Jin's sword, Leo's broad sword has its own unique style with a heavy cutlass blade and squared hand guard. In the story of these two Tang Dynasty police captains, each man appeared to follow the same ideals, but beneath the surface, the two detectives fought for different reasons. To some degree, the similarities and differences of their personal broadswords symbolize key themes of the movie -- one man more refined and the other more brutal, but both focused towards the same grim ending.

Find this House of Flying Daggers Sword:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this sword on eBay:

HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS Captain Jin CHINESE SWORD New US $54.95   Auction Ends: 25d 10h 46m

HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS Wuxia Movie CAPTAIN LEO CHINESE SWORD with SCABBARD New US $54.95   Auction Ends: 22d 7h 58m

The Cutlass isn't overly heavy with a blade that matches the saber concept more closely than it does the old seaman's cutlass. That's fine for modern pirates but would have marked you as an officer in the old days -- common sailors used heavy blades that required less skill to operate. The stainless steel blade of this saber matches up to a steel basket hand guard and grip. Again, the parts are more solid than fancy, giving the sword a more realistic look than many flashier reproductions.

Assembly standards are typical of low cost items from China, so you may have to tinker with things yourself to get everything lined up just right. I've seen the same faults in training swords from China, which otherwise were good quality blades. These usually aren't major problems -- just the mark of someone who works for twenty cents a day, and in most instances it's only a matter of tightening something up. Whether it's a bargain sword or a bargain fishing pole, I've become accustomed to getting out the epoxy glue and doing the final touches myself.

The scabbard's burnished metal fittings display designs appropriate to the pirate trade, including crossed matchlock pistols reminiscent of Jack Sparrow's adventures and the mandatory skull and crossbones. A detailed pirate's galley decorates the basket guard of the hilt.

Find this Pirates of the Caribbean Cutlass:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this cutlass on eBay:

LEGO PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN MINI FIGURE YEOMAN ZOMBIE CUTLASS 2 FACES NEW US $6.32   Auction Ends: 22d 23h 51m

Black Pirates of the Caribbean Cutlass Sabre Sword US $39.97   0 Bid Auction Ends: 6h

Actually, there really is a strong resemblance both in form and in function, since the fighting cutlass originally was a short heavy blade designed for chopping work. With a hand guard added, it became a crude but effective fighting weapon popular with sailors and pirates. Later on in history, the practical working ability and hand protection made it the preferred tool for hand-harvesting sugar cane on Caribbean plantations.

In this lighter design, with a Kraton grip and no basket hilt, the Cutlass Machete serves well for today's camping and bushcraft needs. Break trails, clear a campsite, chop kindling, and when you're done, slip the 1.12-pound knife back into the leather and Cordura belt sheath to keep it handy. Hollow ground with a stout edge angle of 20 degrees and tempered to HRC 52-54, the knife holds up well to harsh treatment. If honed razor sharp, it could be a decent butcher knife for field dressing big game, but the intention behind this combination cutlass and machete is much less delicate work.

Find this Ka-Bar Machete:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this cutlass on eBay:

Ka Bar New Cutlass Machete Knife 1248 US $49.99   Auction Ends: 25d 18h 12m

KA BAR 1248 All Black Cutlass Camping Machete NEW US $53.85   Auction Ends: 26d 5h 8m

This lighter version of the cutlass was more commonly used by officers and cavalry than by common sailors and soldiers. Officers and horsemen were better trained in the use of fighting blades and favored a more refined weapon with a longer reach. The full tang construction of this replica is durable, but not equal to the cutlass of that era.

Although training in the use of this sword officially ended in the U.S. in the 1930's, the cutlass was still being manufactured in World War II and was an official part of the arsenal until 1949. The last official design, little changed from the sword that inspired this recreation, saw its last use on the battlefield during an incident at Inchon in the Korean War.

Today its most common use is the one this sword will likely see--as a piece hanging on a collector's wall, or as part of a re-enactment uniform.

Find this U.S. Navy Cutlass Replica Sword:

• Find this sword on Amazon.com

Find this sword on eBay:

Cold Steel New 1917 Cutlass US Navy Replica Sword 88CS US $145.99   Auction Ends: 19d 18h 30m

COLD STEEL 1917 CUTLASS US NAVY SWORD 88CS NEW US $159.90   Auction Ends: 29d 1h 59m

So, the cutlass is a must have if you're going to be a pirate, and this cutlass is a pretty decent example. Perhaps not the best blade to take into a heated battle, but a cutlass is mostly for show in these days of pirating anyway. The stainless steel blade is straight, rather than slightly curved as some cutlasses can be, and balanced nicely with the solid steel wraparound basket guard. The real attraction to this pirate cutlass is its decorative attributes. The detail of the basket intricately depicts a galley with all sheets to the wind, while the scabbard throat shows a menacing skull and crossbones.

If you collect pirate stuff, this cutlass would be an awesome addition to your booty. Do I recommend picking one up? Aye, matey.

Find this Pirate Sword:

• Click here to find this sword at Amazon.com

This reproduction of that old military weapon sports a cup style brass handguard, leather wrapped handle and brass fittings on the black leather wrapped sheath. It may not meet the exacting standards of a Civil War Reenactment Troop, but it's definitely close enough for pirate costumes. The sword which actually inspired this replica probably dates back to the late 1800's.

This blade is at the higher end of the costume offerings that are readily available and popular due to the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. In today's pirate world one would definitely have the upper hand when armed with this cutlass, since most of your opponents will be packing plastic.

Find this Cutlass:

• Click here to find this sword at Amazon.com

Find this sword on eBay:

New Leather Rapier Epee Cutlass Sword Holder Nice Renaissance Fair Pirate Look US $11.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 4h 39m

Pirates of Caribbean Cutlass Sword Basket Guard Saber US $41.97   0 Bid Auction Ends: 5h 54m

The Cold Steel company has been making these replicas to be true militaria collector's items. It's an exact copy of an original, featuring the signature twenty-five inch, sweeping blade, as well as a guard made of eighteen gauge, #1055 carbon steel.

All components have been specially treated to resist rusting. The handle is just shy of five inches and is made of sculpted hardwood. It is secured to the base with heavy brass rivets.

The sheath is a leather scabbard made of high-quality leather with brass and copper fittings. The sword weighs 33.7 oz.

Model # is 88CS.

More info on this US Navy Sword:

• Click here to find this sword on eBay

Find US Navy Swords on eBay:

US Navy Sword US $500.00   Auction Ends: 30m

Vintage US Navy Sword Belt US $29.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1d 1h 21m

Vintage US Navy Sword Case And Cover US $16.05   2 Bids Auction Ends: 1d 1h 25m

U S Navy Model 1852 Officers Sword Scabbard Softcase US $69.95   Auction Ends: 1d 15h 50m

US SWORDS book USA Army Navy Sword Saber 246 pages paperback edition US $39.59   1 Bid Auction Ends: 1d 19h 47m

PRINCIPLES of SQUAD INSTRUCTION FOR THE BROADSWORD book US Navy Sword Saber US $20.52   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1d 19h 47m

Springfield 1870 US Navy Rifle Sword Bayonet Remington US $76.00   7 Bids Auction Ends: 2d 3h 18m

US Navy Officers Sword and Scabbard 31 with Cloth Liner Black Carrying Case US $175.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 2d 3h 32m

Great Vintage US Navy Silver Sword Pin With Gold Navy Crest US $5.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 2d 4h 17m

US Navy Officers Sword belt new condition US $25.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 2d 6h 55m