Saber, Sabre, Sword?

First question of the workday: Is there a difference between a Sabre and a Sword. Clearly some people think so. My initial response was I would say yes, that a Sabre is curved and Sword not.HOWEVER, let me get back to you on that.

Therefore, after some simple research and reading dictionary references this is what I have come up with:

A Sword is a straight blade that is usually always a two-sided edge. Although sometimes on a sword, the blade can be slightly curved. In addition, you will find occurrences where a straight, two-sided edge with no curve is called a Sabre and not a Sword.

A Sabre is a curved, one-sided edge and often has a hand guard.

So, if you are still confused. A Sabre is curved and will usually have a hand guard; also, the blade will be one-sided. A Sword is usually straight and if curved is not curved very much. In addition, a Sword will have a two-sided edge to the blade (very rarely will it have a one-sided edge) and no hand guard.

When to reference as a Sabre: Curved blade with hand guard, definitely called a Sabre.

When to reference as a Sword: Straight or slightly curved blade with either one or two-sided edge and no hand guard. Moreover, you could call this a Sabre too.

Perplexity should be well under way.

Just a note, Sabre is the British version of the word Saber.