[Alexander Pratt]

I have a question regarding the triangular blades used during the 18th century on small-swords. Where the edges ever sharpened? To me it seems as though i would have been a good idea because it would keep your adversaries hands off your blade in a duel. But what do you think?

[Marc-Antoine Jean]

There is a really beautiful one here in Quebec City in a museum. I had the priviledge to look at it closely and I have seen on it aparent traces of sharpeing on the triangular blade. The sword is from around 1750.
So, I think they do have sharpened those blades.
What surprised me was the thinness of the blade even if it was quite wide at its base. There is not more steel in those blades than modern épée blades, the triangular hollow ground shape is really pronounced.