Learn 14 Essential Parts of a Sword: Names, Functions & Diagram

Table of Contents

Overview of Sword Parts

A sword is a bladed, edged weapon for manual cutting or thrusting. Its blade, longer than a knife or dagger, is attached to a hilt and can be straight or curved. In the early times, the sword is the primary weapon for soldiers in battle. Every part of a sword was made separately and then assembled. It was sharpened for a longer time for better performance in fighting. Its shape and size might differ, but all armies are equipped with different swords for battle. With time, new advanced weapons came, and swords became limited. As this is an old weapon, how many of you know the parts of a sword? We should know these parts. This article will show sword parts, names, functions & diagrams.

Parts of the Sword Diagram

Sword Parts Names

Hilt
Blade
Tang
Pommel
Grip
Cross-Guard
Ricasso

Fuller
Sharp Edge
Central Ridge
Point
Chape
Throat
Scabbard

Parts of a Swords & Functions

Blade

The blade consists of various parts. We can only see the open portion of the blade, like the cutting edge, filler, and point, but the inside piece consists of a tang that goes inside the pommel.

Some of the blades are straight and curved, and their selection depends on the type of application. Its typical use is in the military, battles, and fashion.

Blade generally divides into three parts: forte, middle, and foible. Some are used for cutting, and some are for thrusting.

Sometimes, blades are made with a combination of more than two materials to get better performance.

Tang

Tang is a metallic rod that connects the blade with handles. The pommel, grip, and cross guard cover it. Tange can be complete or partial. If the tang is full, it gives stability to the sword.

The length and width of the tang become narrow before entering into the pommel. Its shape varies according to the type of sword.

Pommel

It is a decorative end of the sword from which the hilt starts. Due to its shape and size, it acts as a counterweight to maneuver the blade efficiently.

It functions as an anchor point and protects the hand from slipping. In the early years, the pommel shows a sign of the nation or the army.

Generally, heavy blades come with a heavy pommel, whereas light blades come with a light pommel. Some swords come with the no pommel as well.

Handle/Grip

The handle is the portion where we hold the sword. On the handle, we can find the grip of the leather to get a better grip.

The length of the handle depends on the type of sword. Some come with a small handle, and some with a large handle that we can hold with both hands.

We can see the handle on every sward, but it is not necessary to have a grip on it.

Cross-Guard

The Cross guard is the end of the hilt, which protects the hand from injury. In battle, it protects our hands not to fall on the blade. Also, it improves the appearance of the sword. From the cross guard, your blade starts.

Ricasso

It is a thick part of a sword that starts from the cross-guard. The presence of the ricasso depends on the type of sword. In some swords, it is present, or in some, it is not. As it is thick and unsharpened, it is more prone to damage.

Fuller

Fuller is the C-shaped groove on both sides of the sword. Its function is to reduce weight and provide increased blood flow during battle.

As it is thin, there are more chances of happening damage during fighting. Before the failure of the sword, fuller fails first.

Some swords come with one fuller on one side, and some come with two fullers on both sides. It runs the entire length of the sword and improves the aesthetics.

Sharp Edge

It is the most significant part of a sword that attracts everyone. It is necessary to sharpen every time for better performance in battle. From the hilt to the tip, it can be sharpened.

Swords can be one-sided or two-sided, depending on the type. A single side sword comes with a sharp edge on one side, whereas a double side comes with a sharpened edge on both sides.

Both sides sharpen the edges of the sword, which have true and false edges. The right edge is the primary cutting edge that faces the opponent in the battle.

Central Ridge

These are the series of tiny ridges on either side of the fuller blade. Its function is to allow steel to breathe, prevent the blade from becoming hot during a battle, and give the shape edge to the sword.

Point

Point is the end portion of the sword, which makes the actual thrusting and stabbing to the opponent. It is a sharpened sword part rather than the other parts.

The non-sharpened point can drag and rip too often, causing the object penetration to fail.

Chape

It is a part of a sheath that covers the point. It protects the sword point while transporting the scabbard from one place to another. Generally, chape is of lather or hard material.

Throat

The throat is a metallic ring connected to the sheath to hold the sword in place.

Scabbard

A scabbard is a tough and powerful material protection cover or cage of the sword. It comes with a slot to insert the sword in it.

The length of the sheath is almost similar to the blade, and only its thickness increases. We can freely move the assembly of the sword and scabbard anywhere without any damage.

We can attach a scabbard to our belt, shield, horse, or other convenient points. It is the most decorative part of a sword assembly.