Bilbo (sword)

The bilbo is a type of 16th century, cut-and-thrust sword or small rapier formerly popular in America.^[1] They have well-tempered and flexible blades and were very popular aboard ships,^[2] where they were used similarly to a cutlass. The term comes from the Basque city of Bilbao,^[3] Bilbo in Basque, where the metal (bilbo steel) was extracted and later sent to Toledo, a city in the center of Spain, where these swords were forged and exported to the New World. These swords were also sold to merchants of every European nation, including England.

A 1600–1650 bilbo with a Solingen blade and a Spanish hilt.

For the fictional dagger, see Sting (Middle-earth).

Etymology

Bilbo (Basque: labana bizkaitarra, Spanish: daga vizcaína, lit. 'Biscayne dagger') is an English catch-all word used to very generally refer to the "utilitarian" cup-hilt swords, found all over America. They usually had a wide, relatively short sturdy and well-tempered blade, were comparatively unadorned, and were considered practical and utilitarian. The grip was often covered with wire, rather than plain nut.

See also

• Dirk
• Falchion
• Cutlass