Before you buy a sword, you should know the names of its different parts. These are known as pommels. They are made of different materials. For example, pommels made of steel may have more features or be made of a softer material. Besides pommels, the sword’s tang is also called tang.
Full tang
When you’re looking to buy a sword, you may have heard of a full tang sword. Those blades feature a tang that sticks out from the pommel, and they need to be made of one solid piece of steel. Full tang swords don’t have any welding or extra steel. You can buy these swords from a Chinese company that’s very popular in the Ren Faire world.
Cross guard
The cross guard is a sword part that extends from the hilt towards the blade. The extension is usually decorative and serves a dual purpose, as it protects the fingers and the sword when it is in use.
Pommel
The pommel is a key part of a sword and is often inlaid or engraved with designs. In some cases, it may even be gilded or mounted with jewels. Pommels have many types and shapes, and they vary in their historical significance. A system of pommel classification was introduced by Ewart Oakeshott in 1964. The types are listed below, and subtypes are indicated by numbers.
Ricasso
There are three main parts of a Ricasso sword: the hilt, the pommel, and the blade. The hilt secures all the other parts of the sword together and counterbalances the blade, which helps a user to control the weapon better. The blade itself consists of the sharp edge, a long blade shoulder, and the crossguard.
Fuller
Fuller sword parts are used to reduce weight without sacrificing strength. The fuller is attached to the tang of the blade. Its cross-section has hollows and elevations which increase strength in this region of the blade.
Fuller is the thinnest part of a sword
The fuller is the thinnest part of sabers and the first part to break. Unlike other parts of the blade, the fuller is not an aesthetic feature. It’s used to improve the sword’s balance and weight. It also allows for better blood flow. A sword’s fuller is usually straight or in the shape of a D.
Fuller is the weakest part of a sword
Swords have a fuller, which is a shallow central groove in the blade. Its purpose is to increase the strength of the blade without sacrificing flexibility. However, it should be noted that the fuller is not intended to increase blood flow or prevent the blade from sticking when it is stabbed. Rather, it is a design feature that allows bladesmiths to use less material in making the sword.
Fuller is made of leather
The occupation of fullers has been around for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks used fullers to cleanse their bodies. Fullers even appear in the Bible. In Mark 9:3 they are mentioned. They are a very important part of ancient society. Some fullers even used urine as a natural bleach.