Brief Description:  A medieval glaive is a European polearm featuring a long wooden shaft topped by a single-edged, curved blade. Measuring roughly 2 meters (6–7 feet) long, it combines the reach of a spear with the slicing power of a sword, making it a highly versatile infantry weapon.

Anatomy of a Glaive:

The Blade: Typically 45 to 60 centimeters (18 to 24 inches) long, the blade is single-edged and curves convexly. It was usually affixed to the haft via a socket configuration like an axe head rather than a traditional sword tang.

The Shaft: Fashioned from durable wood (such as ash), it gave foot soldiers critical reach against both infantry and mounted cavalry.

Additional Features: Many historic glaives were fitted with langets (metal strips extending down the wood) to prevent the shaft from being easily severed. Some variations, known as glaive-guisarmes, also incorporated rear hooks or spikes to pull riders off their mounts.