Educational purpose only. This post documents historical practices related to executions and aims to educate about historical procedures. We do not glorify violence or hate.
The Dark Reason Executioner’s Swords Were Flat
Throughout history, execution by sword took the heads of countless individuals. But these swords were not pointed—they were flat. This design was deliberate, prioritizing efficiency and effectiveness to deliver a single, clean blow.
1. Designed Solely for Cutting, Not Stabbing
A combat sword needs to be versatile. It must slash, thrust, and quickly adapt during a fight. An executioner’s sword had only one job: to sever a head in a single, decisive motion .
It was simply a specialized tool for a specific task. The executioner did not need to parry or thrust; he only needed to cut. As one historical weapons expert notes, the heavy, flat blade could be balanced further out toward the tip to create a powerful cut, as quick recovery from a swing was unnecessary .
2. The Practical Reason: A Cleaner, More Powerful Cut
The flat, un-tapered blade design created a specific weight distribution that aided the executioner. By not tapering the blade toward a point, the sword’s center of gravity sat further toward the tip .
This gave the sword a powerful, heavy swing, almost like an axe. This design choice also meant the blade was incredibly durable. A thin, tapered point would be unnecessary and fragile. A thick, flat, and blunt tip was far less likely to chip or break on contact with bone, ensuring the blade could be used repeatedly without failing .
3. The Symbolic Reason: A “Dishonest” Weapon
The flat tip also carried significant symbolic weight. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a sword was a symbol of honor, chivalry, and the warrior class. It was a “noble” weapon, intended for use in the “honest” business of war .
Beheading, however, was the work of the executioner—a task considered “dishonest” and performed by a social outcast . Even touching an executioner’s sword could mark you as dishonorable .
The rounded or square tip was a visible marker, setting the tool apart from a weapon of war and reinforcing the low status of the executioner’s craft. Some blades were even etched with gallows or torture wheels—symbols that further marked them as instruments of punishment, unsuitable for combat .
4. The “Three Holes” Theory and Other Details
Some executioner’s swords feature three small holes punched near the tip. There are a few theories about why :
Increasing the strike’s power: The holes allowed small lead weights to be added, increasing the sword’s swing weight for a more powerful blow when dealing with a particularly thick neck .
A mark of infamy: The holes were intended to prevent anyone from sharpening the tip to use the sword in a duel or battle, as this would make the sword “unbalanced” or structurally compromised .
Executioner’s swords were often inscribed with grim mottos such as: “When I lift my sword, I wish the poor sinner eternal life” .
Primary Sources:
Deutschlandmuseum Berlin — Medieval Executioner’s Sword
The Cleveland Museum of Art — Executioner’s Sword (blade dated 1634)
Hever Castle — Feature Friday: Swords
Art of Sword Making — Executioner’s swords
MyArmoury.com — Concerning Executioner’s Swords