Scabbard or Sheath

[ddean]

I thought I'd finally research which is correct for what.

Oh well.........


The more 'correct' use seems to be,
that if there is a stiff/hard support to the sheath,
especially surrounding the blade completely,
then you have a scabbard style sheath.
Any blade-covering covering the sharp edges being a sheath.

On the other hand,
more 'common' use seems to be,
that a sword fits into a scabbard,
and all other blades are sheathed.

Although you still 'sheath' a sword in a 'scabbard'.

Take your pick.


An useful/interesting site,
though not 100% accurate site (what is.........):

www.swordinfo.com

 

[Nasty]

I like "sheath" for a non-framed unit, "scabbard" for the reinforced surrounding type.

As for the action? Anything can be sheathed...leather, plastic, wood, etc for knives, copper for rooms, Trojans for um...well, sheathed is sheathed after all...

 

[Berkley]

scabbard:
-The case or sheath which serves to protect the blade of a sword, dagger or bayonet when not in use. Usually made of hide or leather, bound with metal
-Thin board used in making splints, the scabbards of swords, veneer, etc.
_v. To put (a sword) into its scabbard; to sheathe.

Note that the verb "to sheathe" has a final "e"", while the noun "sheath" does not.

 

[Yvsa]

I'm with Nasty...
I was always taught that a scabbard was a hard covering while a sheath was made of something soft. Usually scabbards are safer but not necessarily with a khukri.
Scabbards are usually designed to contain the blade in a fall. A sheath is not.
A scabbard can be made of leather or other soft material if it is reinforced around the throat, point, and edges with riveted metal to contain the blade in a fall.
I'm stickin with what I learned, old habits die hard.