Sword Terminology
A sword is much like the human body, with many parts and pieces, and each with different names. And if your like most humans out there you dont know the names of all of your body parts. So I have created a little spot here to help you sword collectors and enthusiasts figure out the names of the parts of the sword and what they are for.

These Links take
you to image maps
of the swords,you
will see which terms
relate to the parts
on the sword.I hope
this infomation
will help you.



Below you will see
the terminology in
definition. I do not
have pictures of
all the different
swords ever made,
just the three
most common.
Because of all of the different types of swords,
these image maps will not show all terms.
Each sword is different so they all have
different parts.


The Blade

Edge:= The part that slices and dices.
False Edge:= Short edge on the back of a saber, looks sharp but it is not,extends from back to the point.
Point:= The part you stick things with. (aarrrgghhh) is the usual reply.
Fuller:= A groove down the center of the blade, for strength and lightness. Usually misnamed Blood Groove.
Forte'/Foible:= Strong half/Weak half of the blade.
Ricasso:= An unsharpened section of the blade extending out from the handle. Best place to look for a maker's mark.
Point of Percussion:= Merging point of the Forte' and Foible. Best place to strike.
Tang:= The part of the blade that extends all the way through the handle. If it does'nt then it is called a rat tail tang. And yes, I do know it is a drink too.


The Hilt
Quillon:= The cross piece on a sword, also thought of as a guard.
Handle:= I hope you dont need me to tell you what that is.
Pommel:= Big thing on the end of your sword that holds it together.
Capstan Rivet:= A rivet holding the end of the tang to the pommel.
Ferrule:= A metal washer between the guard and handle. There to make sure your handle does'nt jiggle around.
Knuckle Bow:= A single strap running from the quillon to the pommel. Guarding the front of the hand.
Backstrap:= A metal strap running down the back of the handle, resting in the palm of the hand.
Ear:= A small half-circular extension of the backstrap on either side of the handle.
Langets:= Small extensions of the guard that hold the sword secure in the scabbard.
Pas D'Ane:= Finger ring between the Quillon and Dish guard.
Sword Knot:= Decoration that hangs from the guard, usually a symbol of rank for officers.


The Scabbard
Drag:= Tip of the scabbard, it's the part that drags on the ground.
Carrying Rings:= Parts that dangle from the scabbard so you can attach your sword to yourself.
Bands:= Rings around the scabbard that are attached to the carrying rings.


Types of Swords
Backsword, Baselard, Basket hilt, Bastard sword, Bearing sword, Broadsword, Cinquedea, Cleadhemh-mohr, Clatmore, Cutlass, Cuttoe, Dao, Dha, Epee, Falcata, Falchion, Ferengi, Flamberge, Foil, Gladius, Gunto, Hanger, Katana, Kaskara, Khopesh, Macahuitl, Parang, Pata, Presentation sword, Riding sword, Rapier, Saber, Saber bayonet, Scimitar(Shamshir), Shasqua, Short sword, Smallsword, Sword of tenure, Tachi, Talwar, Tuck, Two-handed sword, Wakizashi, Yatagan, Zweihender.







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