For most of history, the spear was the preferred weapon of war. Able to hit your enemy from farther away. When they were replaced it was by guns, to hit them from even farther away. If spears were ineffective against armor or shield, they were replaced with axes, hammers, maces. I don't know enough to say for certain but it seems the sword was almost never the "default", "typical", or even most effective weapon for soldiers.

So why is it that swords are what we associate with warriors, knights, vikings, and the like? Why were swords used in knighting ceremonies? Why does culture seem to focus on what was essential the backup third tier option?