The tang is the most important part of a sword. This is the part of the blade that receives the most stress when it’s struck. The thicker the blade, the less likely it is to break at the strike point. However, the stress travels up and down the steel, and the point where it is weakest will ultimately break. Flaws in the manufacturing of steel can cause a blade to break, and they can also contribute to the weak point. A sword’s weakest point is at the tang, so making it as thick as possible will help to prevent cracks and breakage.
Blades with a tang will be the most durable. They will also last longer, because they have more strength. Swords with a tang have a fuller that extends past the shoulder, making the entire blade more rigid. The fuller also increases the blade’s strength and flexibility.
pommel
A sword’s pommel is one of the strongest parts of the weapon. In addition to offering 12 strength and six defense, it also provides a whopping 15 vitality. This stat helps you deal extra damage to enemies and reduce stun time. Additionally, a sword with a powerful pommel also has a passive that can help you regenerate health or enhance runic damage. This passive will activate whenever you attack an enemy and can help you save your life when you need it most.
The tang is the unsharpened part of a sword’s blade. It is usually covered by the grip and the other parts of the hilt. It will generally taper in width as it approaches the pommel. The material that is used for a tang will favor malleability over brittleness. Some tangs may also have maker’s marks.
The pommel is the top part of a sword’s hilt. Originally, the pommel served as a counterweight for the blade, enabling the wielder to balance the weight of the weapon against the opponent. It has been an integral part of the blade since ancient times, and it is one of the strongest parts of the weapon.
fuller
A fuller is a cross-section on a sword. It connects two different areas of the blade, making the sword as a whole stronger and more rigid. This is the most solid part of a sword. The fuller also has cavities and elevations, increasing the strength of the area.
The fuller is also called a blood groove, and is an indentation on the blade. It is made with a blacksmithing tool called a fuller. A fullered blade can be between 20 and thirty percent lighter than an equivalent blade without a fuller. The fuller is more effective at stiffening the blade as the blade length increases.
The fuller of a sword allows the blade to be lighter and stronger, and may be used for thrusting or blocking. There are different types of fullers, with some having lengthwise grooves. However, there are swords that do not have fullers and are only used for thrusting.
hilt
A sword’s hilt is the strongest part of the entire weapon. It supports the blade and prevents it from rotating in the hand. It also provides a stable grip for the blade. A sword’s hilt can be made of gold or silver.
A sword’s hilt comes in many different styles. Originally, hilts were found only on bronze swords. Then, during the transition to the Iron Age, they became a true protective element. The Vikings, for example, used a distinctly protective hilt with a cross guard that did not protrude too far from the grip.
The hilt is made of many different parts. Metal plates were sometimes replaced with ornamental pierced bars. These hilts were known as a “basket hilt”. A solid shield around the blade in the 17th century became a common sight, and was as large as two inches. This type of hilt is the basis of today’s foils.