Cutglass

“The cutlass landed before Akileas with a loud clang. It wasn’t anything like the elegant rapiers that Akileas was accustomed to using. The broad blade reminded him of a simple farming tool. ‘Pick it up and fight or die like a dog,’ the captain snarled through his black beard. Akileas knew that if he ever wanted to return home and take revenge on his traitorous brother, he would have to fight. Holding the captain’s gaze, he grabbed the cutlass and stood up.”
— Excerpt from Roses under a Black Flag, a popular Horasian novella, 1040 FB

The cutlass (or boarding knife, as it is sometimes known in tales of high-seas adventure) is good for more than just capturing enemy ships. Pirates, seafarers of all kinds, and even crafters employed by harbor businesses often carry these stocky swords, which are well-suited for fighting in the cramped spaces in and around sailing vessels. As for drawbacks, the cutlass does not hold up well against heavy two-handed weapons, but in all fairness, it was not made for that purpose.