Medieval Sword Parts and Terminology

Medieval Sword Parts and Terminology List

Blade - The length of steel that forms the sword.

Back - The part of the blade opposite the edge. Double-edged sword has no back.

Cross - The typically straight bar or "guard" of a Medieval sword, also called a "cross-guard". A Renaissance term for the straight or curved cross-guard was the quillons (possibly from an old French or Latin term for a type of reed).

Edge - This is the sharpened portion of the blade. A sword may be single or double-edged. For example, a Japanese katana has a single edge but a Scottish claymore is sharpened on both sides.

Hilt - The lower portion of a sword consisting of the cross-guard, handle/grip, and pommel (most Medieval swords have a straight cross or cruciform-hilt).

Quillions - A Renaissance term for the two cross-guards (forward and back) whether straight or curved. It is likely from an old French or Latin term for a reed. On Medieval swords the cross guard may be called simply the "cross", or just the "guard".

Forte' - A Renaissance term for the lower portion on a sword blade which has more control and strength and which does most of the parrying. Also called prime or fort.

Foible - A Renaissance term for the upper portion on a sword blade which is weaker (or "feeble") but has more agility and speed and which does most of the attacking.

Fuller - A shallow central-groove or channel on a blade which lightens it as well as improves strength and flex. Sometimes mistakenly called a "blood-run" or "blood-groove", it has nothing to do with blood flow, cutting power, or a blade sticking. A sword might have one, none, or several fullers running a portion of its length, on either one or both sides. Narrow deep fullers are also sometimes referred to as flukes. The opposite of a fuller is a riser, which improves rigidity. The fullers function is analagous to the spine of the human body. When a fuller is forged onto a blade it repacks the crystaline structure and forms it into a flexible spine that reduces weight and gives the sword both strength and flexibility.

Grip - The handle of a sword, usually made of leather, wire, wood, bone, horn, or ivory (also, a term for the method of holding the sword).
Lower end - the tip portion of a Medieval sword

Pommel - Latin for "little apple", the counter-weight which secures the hilt to the blade and allows the hand to either rest on it or grip it. Sometimes it includes a small rivet (capstan rivet) called a pommel nut, pommel bolt, or tang nut. On some Medieval swords the pommel may be partially or fully gripped and handled.

Ricasso - The dull portion of a blade just above the hilt. It is intended for wrapping the index finger around to give greater tip control (called "fingering"). Not all sword forms had ricasso. They can be found on many Bastard-swords, most cut & thrust swords and later rapiers. Those on Two-Handed swords are sometimes called a "false-grip", and usually allow the entire second hand to grip and hold on. The origin of the term is obscure.

Shoulder - The corner portion of a sword separating the blade from the tang.

Tang - The un-edged hidden portion or ("tongue") of a blade running through the handle and to which the pommel is attached. The place where the tang connects to the blade is called the "shoulder". A sword's tang is sometimes of a different temper than the blade itself. A full tang is preferred in European swords, while a partial tang is best for Japanese swords.

Upper end - The hilt portion of a Medieval sword

Waisted-grip - A specially shaped handle on some bastard or hand-and-a-half swords, consisting of a slightly wider middle and tapering towards the pommel.

Tip - The end of the sword furthest away from the hilt. Most swords taper to a point at the tip, but some blade lines are straight until the very tip. A few swords, such as a U.S. Civil War saber, are curved along their length.

Annellet/Finger-Ring - The small loops extending toward the blade from the quillions intended to protect a finger wrapped over the guard. They developed in the middle-ages and can be found on many styles of Late-Medieval swords. They are common on Renaissance cut & thrust swords and rapiers they and also small-swords. For some time they have been incorrectly called the "pas d`ane".

Compound-Hilt/Complex-Guard - A term used for the various forms of hilt found on Renaissance and some late-Medieval swords. They consist typically of finger-rings, side-rings or ports, a knuckle-bar, and counter-guard or back-guard. Swept-hilts, ring-hilts, cage-hilts, and some basket-hilts are forms of complex-guard.


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Hanwei Paul Chen Swords

Hanwei Paul Chen Swords

Hanwei by Paul Chen has become the largest selling brand of both decorative and functional Japanese swords in the world today. (“Hanwei” is the name for the Dalian Forge in China where Paul Chen produces his work). A humble and discerning craftsman, Mr. Chen (whose Chinese name, 'Chen Chao-Po' means, “morning wave”) began making swords at the age of eight. Initially desiring to increase the collection of antique swords left to him by his grandfather, Chen eventually turned his passion to making swords full time over the past thirty years.
After initially studying the techniques of both Japanese and Chinese masters, he assembled a team of experts in forging, polishing, heat-treating, and furnishing blades. His team reflects his obsession with quality and honor for the ancient tradition of sword making and now has started training the next generation of Hanwei craftsmen. Mr. Chen is a consummate perfectionist, always striving to increase the beauty and durability of the sword lines he personally tests for quality.

Paul Chen's swords have gained widespread respect in the sword market at large for being reasonably priced yet high-quality products. Chen is also renowned for improving each iteration of a sword after careful testing and user feedback. His swords are particularly known for their cutting capabilities (in his practical Katana line, for example) yet feature a fixed handle to keep the blade secure. Chen therefore provides the warrior-enthusiast with authenticity and safety in one sword, demonstrating his dedication to improving overall customer satisfaction.
Although Chen katanas are initially polished by machine, final polishing is accomplished in the traditional manner by his team of swordsmiths. In fact, although there are a few power hammers in Chen's workshop, most work is done the old-fashioned way via anvils and hammers.
His katanas are made of various high carbon steels (depending on their application), with forging techniques designed to improve grain orientation to further strengthen each sword. Chen's traditional claying methods also make his swords nearly impossible to break in competition or cutting exercises. Hanwei Swords are known for their authenticity and durability.

Although Chen has occasionally faced criticism from extreme sword enthusiasts over various aspects of his forging process, Chen ignores the spotlight to focus on providing high-quality and reasonably priced swords for the general marketplace. Overall he is greatly respected for his dedication to bring swords forged in the ancient tradition to a modern generation who can afford his work. Today, the names Hanwei and its founder, Paul Chen, engender an image of fine functional swords and historical weaponry. Based in Dalian, China, Hanwei manages to combine traditional craftsmanship with modern tooling and metallurgy, in a way that enables it to supply a world-wide market while meeting or exceeding the quality of custom-made products. Paul Chen grew up in Taiwan where, as a young man, he developed an ongoing fascination for swords and knives. Largely unable to afford antique and custom-made pieces he became a custom maker himself, enjoying success in this field in both Asia and the U.S. In 1991 he decided to become a full-time manufacturer and moved to Dalian, the “Steel City” of northern China, where he knew that he could find talented artisans capable of being trained as first-class sword and knife makers. Early endeavors largely took the form of making knives and components for major knife companies, but by 1993 the company was ready to start trading under its own banner and Dalian Hanwei Metal Co. Ltd. (Hanwei) was formed. The early trainees became team leaders and then departmental managers as the company grew, forming a strong team at the core of operations. Hanwei's early sword experience was with Samurai swords, which still remain the cornerstone of the product range. A little-known facet of the company's business is its Samurai sword restoration facility, where, over the years, many damaged and neglected pieces from the old masters have been restored to their former glory. The company has gained a tremendous base of knowledge in construction and metallurgical techniques from these historical pieces, and has employed this knowledge to consistently enhance the quality and authenticity of its own swords. Hanwei's Samurai swords are now regarded as state of the art, and offer the martial artist and collector an unparalleled opportunity to own a fine quality sword. With assistance from its distribution partners, Hanwei started to introduce European-style swords into its line in the mid-1990's. These swords rapidly gained popularity with collectors, re-enactors and historical fencers throughout the world and the line expanded rapidly to cover the diverse needs of this market. At the same time Hanwei started to expand its line of knives which also have a historical flavor; as evidenced by the popular line of antique Bowie knife replicas. A move to a large, purpose-built facility in 2002 provided much-needed space and improvements in efficiency.

Today, Hanwei's three hundred plus employees produce over six hundred items in the sword, knife and historical weaponry fields and are continuously developing new products involving more complex techniques and advanced metallurgy. Today Paul Chen's son Ron is following in his father's footsteps and becoming very much a part of the Hanwei story. Ron, who has studied under Japanese legend Yoshindo Yoshihara, is the driving force behind Hanwei's Tamahagane and Bainite blade development. Ron's own blades illustrate his deep appreciation for the art of the Japanese sword and are sure to become collector pieces.

Swords of Might is proud to carry the Full Paul Chen Hanwei Sword Line.

Thaitsuki Swords

Thaitsuki Swords

Thaitsuki Nihonto swords are handmade, fully functional and "battle ready" Japanese Katanas best suited for practice, competition cutting and collecting. They are all fully capable of cutting makiwara (tightly rolled straw mats) and even a 5" thick bamboo with a single stroke. These Japanese Katanas, handmade by Thaitsuki Nihonto, are the highest quality traditionally made Japanese swords, made by the best materials and perfected. Thaitsuki swords have been made for professional collectors, Iaido/Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu, and other Japanese sword Martial Artists and are now being offered to the general public.


The Thaitsuki Japanese Samurai Katana Series keep true to the samurai code, "To strive for perfection". All Katanas produced by the family run Thaitsuki Forge are all handmade with the highest standards and attention to detail. All of their sword craftsmen and artisans have served for years in apprenticeship under the master sword smith, Mr. Sivarat. Each katana is made following the same traditional methods. From the perfectly wrapped Ito, to the handmade Kashira, Menuki, Tsuba and Fuchi, each piece is made from skilled craftsmen that specialize and take pride in their art. The Habaki, Menuki, Fuchi and Kashira are handmade from quality silver. The Tsuka is skillfully wrapped with high quality leather or silk and only genuine Ray skin is used. The Saya is crafted from hard wood then carefully lacquered and the Koiguchi is made from genuine black horn. The blade is hand forged from only the best High Carbon Japanese Steel and perfectly balanced. All Thaitsuki Swords come with it's own individual serial number and certificate from Thaitsuki Nihonto so you can trace it back to when and by whom it was made. Each katana is handmade and the fittings are handcrafted so no Thaitsuki katana will be ever be exactly alike. Each katana is it's own, one of a kind, work of art.

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Here at Swords of Might we love swords as much as you do. We have everything from decorative samurai swords and medieval swords as well as their functional counterparts. We specialize in Real Samurai swords so please be sure to check out our Masahiro, Ryumon, Musashi, Kawashima,Thaitsuki, Rittersteel, Katsumoto and Paul Chen Swords. We have one of the largest selections of Japanese swords on the planet. If you are a movie buff, make sure you don't miss our wide selection of Movie Swords and collectibles from Kill Bill, Troy, Blade, Braveheart, Eragon, Underworld, Ultraviolet, And 300.