The cutting part of a sword is called the blade. It is the visible part of the sword and continues through the pommel, handle, and tang. The tang is a narrower part of the blade than the blade proper. The shoulder of the blade is where the hilt rests.
Crossguard
The crossguard is the part of a sword that is attached to the blade. The crossguard can be made of metal or leather. Swords used for swordfighting generally have a metal crossguard. The crossguard is usually straight, with tapered outer edges. During the medieval period, the crossguard was a standard part of knightly arming swords. The first crossguards were simple, made of straight metal bars that sometimes tapered. Over time, more elaborate forms of the crossguard developed alongside the simple ones. By the 12th century, crossguards could also be waisted or bent.
The crossguard was one of the most important components of a sword. It was used to hold the blade in place, and was often used to identify the sword’s owner. The shape and design of the crossguard could also be an indication of a person’s class and wealth. A typical crossguard style consisted of a flat piece of steel that extended three to four inches beyond the blade. In addition to this, the crossguards could be decorated with inscriptions, jewels, and other details that reflected the owner’s taste and wealth.
Fuller
The Fuller is a shallow groove on a sword blade that improves its flex and strength. This has nothing to do with cutting power or blood flow, so a fuller is not essential for blade sticking. Fullers may run lengthwise or at irregular angles. Some swords have multiple fullers, while others have only one. Some swords also have narrow, deep fullers called flukes. A fuller also helps the blade’s rigidity.
The term “fuller” originates from the Old English fuliere, which means “one who fills a cloth.” The first time the term was used for a blacksmithing tool was in 1864. Whether the term was more widely used in historical Europe is uncertain. However, the French and English often refer to the fuller part of a sword as “gutter,” while ancient Vikings used the term “cannelure.”
Guard
The guard is the part of the hilt that extends toward the blade, and is often called the crossguard. This part of the sword is commonly made of a steel or iron bar, with a tapering edge. The guard may be weighted forward like a wechsel, or backward to cut away from the opponent.
Swords used during medieval times were commonly single-edged, and had a guard. The blade was usually sharpened near its point, and the guard was shorter than the blade. This type of sword was favored by pikemen and Swiss/German Landesknetchs. Many of them began as long swords, but were shortened. They were probably named after cat-gut, which explains the “S” shape of the guard.
Pommel
Pommels are important for a sword’s balance. They also act as a counterbalance to the weight of the blade and move the balance point toward the hilt. In a sword fight, the pommel can be used as a weapon if it is shaped like a ball.
Swords have a variety of pommels. Usually, they are made from steel and are larger than the hilt. The pommel is also used to help keep the sword in the hand. A large pommel can be used to counterbalance a heavy blade.
Quillon block
The sword’s cutting part, the quillon block, is the curved portion of the blade. It’s also known as the full or crossguard. Full is derived from the Old French (late 14th century) word fullare, meaning clean cloth. The word fuller also means a half-round hammer that was used to spread iron. The term is also used to describe the part of a die used for reducing sectional area.
A sword’s blade has two parts. The cutting part is the blade, while the pommel serves as a counterweight on the hilt. The pommel also serves as a striking implement. Some cruciform swords also have a finger guard, which is a crescent-shaped metal band at the end of the grip. It allows the user to loop their finger over the finger guard, increasing point control and cutting power.
Ricasso
A sword has two major parts: its blade and its ricasso. The blade is the part that cuts, and the ricasso is the part that protects the hands. The blade has a flat, parallel edge, with a sharp point and a short, well-moulded fuller on the upper third of the blade. The ricasso also provides additional control over the sword’s tip.
The ricasso is the part of the blade next to the hilt. It is often described as blunt. Historical documents and modern books on historical fencing generally use the term ricasso to refer to this area. If the blade and ricasso are identical, a schilt would occur at the ricasso.