13. The Kilij was the go-to weapon of more than one Asian empire, with its awesome slashing power complemented by an iconic look
Originally developed by Turkish swordsmiths – the word kilij literally means ‘sword’ in Turkish – the weapon spread in popularity throughout Central Asia and large parts of Eastern Europe. A number of cultures adopted it as their own, discarding traditional straight-bladed weapons for the more effective curved sword. Above all, it was used to slash and cut, though it could occasionally be used to thrust, giving the kilij an advantage over the Persian shamshire sword, for example. The secret lay in the double-edged tip. This flared out at the very top, helping make the end of the weapon stronger and more powerful.
It was said that a skilled warrior could use a kilij to cut through human bone in a single swipe. And it wasn’t just effective – it looked good too! According to some historians, Turkish warriors liked the look of the sword, believing it made them appear both more fearsome and more elegant than enemies with straight blades. By the mid-19th century, however, the weapon had fallen out of favor. Keen to modernize and keep up with European powers, the Turkish Army abandoned the kimij, equipping its soldiers with western-style sabers instead.