tolkiens legendarium - Why did Sting glow blue when Orcs were near by?

Out of all the ancient blades made by Elvish weapon-smiths in Gondolin, why was Sting given a distinctive and unique glow whenever an Orc was close by?

Secondly, why would they put it on such a relatively small weapon, as opposed to Orcrist or Glamdring?

Answer

Orcrist and Glamdring were supposed to.

"being the work of Elvish smiths in the Elder Days these swords shone with a cold light, if any Orcs were near at hand,"

In the Fellowship of the Ring (the novel), Glamdring glowed with a "pale-light".

From The Hobbit (the novel):

They buried Thorin deep beneath the Mountain... Upon his tomb the Elvenking then laid Orcrist, the elvish sword that had been taken from Thorin in captivity. It is said in songs that it gleamed ever in the dark if foes approached, and the fortress of the dwarves could not be taken by surprise.

Peter Jackson, in the Fellowship of the Rings (EE) commentary, upon being asked why Glamdring didn't glow in the Mines of Moria, responded with 'budgetary cuts?' and something about 'running out of blue'- as such, it seems that it was an oversight.

Comments

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Both the elves and the dwarves were famous for their metal work in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but what is the difference between what they made, and which one had the better skill of making amours and swords? Answer James Christopher's answer sums up the second part of your question well, but as to the difference in what they made, a little more detail is needed. Once the Elves learned to forge with steel, the shape of the sword changed, now being able to take on the form of a great broadsword or a light and agile curved sword. Additionally, they took great pride in decorating their swords. As we see in the Lord of the Rings , some swords like Sting had magical properties such as glowing blue when orcs are near. As far as the use of Mithril, lotr.wikia has two contradictory passages: Thus, Elven blades became renowned as great weapons, capable of performing deeds beyond the skill of their handlers and were even more glorious when the use of Mithril was allowed to the Elves. ...

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