History Main / SuaveSabre

This trope has variations. The similar cutlass does not enjoy quite the same status because of its association with rough sailors and pirates. Short-curved swords such as the grosse messer and falchion can apply in some circumstances but are often separate. The user of a Suave Sabre does not necessarily have to be of Western origin, but usually at least belongs to a country that has adopted Western-style uniforms, weapons, and tactics as a result of or in reaction to European colonialism. Related to the backsword (a straight single-edged sword), and to KatanasAreJustBetter. See also HeroesPreferSwords which this trope handily goes with.

* ''Anime/SaberRiderAndTheStarSheriffs'': The titular Saber Rider, as AnOfficerAndAGentleman who rides a robotic horse named Steed into battle, is primarily armed with a sabre. He does switch to using his sidearm when necessary, and also has a rifle he uses for long-range sniping.

* The kung fu film, ''Film/FuryOfTheKingBoxer'' starring Creator/JimmyWangYu, in which Jimmy's character uses a sabre instead of the classic Chinese ''jian'' in his other (mostly {{Wuxia}}) films, because the film is set in the 1930s instead of some Ancient Dynasty. He gets to kill scores and scores of corrupt soldiers in one massive fight scene before losing it from throwing the sabre into an enemy rifleman.

** While the Gerudo in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' prefer common scimitars, their champion Urbosa had an ornate saber to match her dignified personality and status. Link can get replicas of it later on.

* The page quote is referring to the Alik'r warriors in 'VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' who do indeed carry scimitars, and for the most part are respected.

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For much of Western European history, curved swords such as the ''saif'', ''shamshir'', and ''tulwar'' have been associated with a barbarous "other", while in the east they were often seen as no different than any other blade. The mingling between East and West in the 17th century gave it a more positive image in the rest of Europe and beyond. In period pieces depicting the 18th or 19th century, a man in uniform was deemed attractive and characters of this stripe are often TheCasanova or CasanovaWannabe. There might be some overlap with MilesGloriosus, as they are often big braggarts who exaggerate their already impressive exploits. They also have a tendency to get into duels because any slight made to their honor is deemed unforgivable without retaliation. Another possibility is that he is an OfficerAndAGentleman in the mold of [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanCivilWar Stonewall Jackson or George Armstrong Custer]]. Soldiers can come from either a gentlemanly or common background, but what they have in common is that the sabre gives them some extra swagger through its association with military service and glory, whether earned or not.

* The page quote is referring to the Alik'r warriors in ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsSkyrim'' who do indeed carry scimitars.