Editing Sword (section)

==Morphology==
{{Further|Classification of swords}}

The sword consists of the [[blade]] and the [[hilt]]. The term ''[[scabbard]]'' applies to the cover for the sword blade when not in use.

===Blade===
{{main|Sword blade|Oakeshott typology}}
{{Plain image with caption|Sword parts-en.svg|caption=Parts of a sword|upright=2|triangle=triangle|align=right|caption position=top}}
There is considerable variation in the detailed design of sword blades. The diagram opposite shows a typical Medieval European sword.

Early iron blades have rounded points due to the limited metallurgy of the time. These were still effective for thrusting against lightly armoured opponents. As armour advanced, blades were made narrower, stiffer and sharply pointed to defeat the armour by thrusting.

Dedicated cutting blades are wide and thin, and often have grooves known as [[fuller (weapon)|fullers]] which lighten the blade at the cost of some of the blade's stiffness. The edges of a cutting sword are almost parallel. Blades oriented for the thrust have thicker blades, sometimes with a distinct midrib for increased stiffness, with a strong taper and an acute point.  The geometry of a cutting sword blade allows for acute edge angles. An edge with an acuter angle is more inclined to degrade quickly in combat situations than an edge with a more obtuse angle. Also, an acute edge angle is not the primary factor of a blade's sharpness.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Geißler|first=Robert|title=Concerning the Sharpness of Blades|publisher=HROARR|year=2014|url=http://www.hroarr.com/concerning-the-sharpness-of-blades/|access-date=18 May 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521083741/http://www.hroarr.com/concerning-the-sharpness-of-blades/|archive-date=21 May 2014}}</ref>

The part of the blade between the [[center of percussion]] (CoP) and the point is called the ''foible'' (weak) of the blade, and that between the [[center of gravity|center of balance]] (CoB) and the hilt is the ''forte'' (strong). The section in between the CoP and the CoB is the ''middle''.

The ''[[ricasso]]'' or ''shoulder'' identifies a short section of blade immediately below the guard that is left completely unsharpened. Many swords have no ricasso. On some large weapons, such as the [[Germany|German]] ''[[Zweihänder]]'', a metal cover surrounded the ricasso, and a swordsman might grip it in one hand to wield the weapon more easily in close-quarter combat.<ref name=Landsknechts/>
The ricasso normally bears the [[trademark|maker's mark]].

The [[tang (tools)|tang]] is the extension of the blade to which the hilt is fitted.

On Japanese blades, the maker's mark appears on the tang under the grip.<ref>{{cite book |last=Yumoto |first=John M. |year=1979 |title=The Samurai sword: a handbook |publisher=Tuttle Publishing |page=137 |isbn=978-0-8048-0509-4}}</ref>

===Hilt===
{{main|Hilt}}
[[File:Rapier mg 3370-no shadows.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|The hilt of a [[rapier]]—in this case, with a swept hilt]]

The [[hilt]] is the collective term for the parts allowing for the handling and control of the blade; these consist of the [[Hilt#Grip|grip]], the [[Hilt#Pommel|pommel]], and a simple or elaborate [[Guard (weapon)|guard]], which in post-[[Viking Age]] swords could consist of only a [[crossguard]] (called a [[cruciform]] hilt or [[quillons]]). The pommel was originally designed as a stop to prevent the sword slipping from the hand. From around the 11th century onward it became a counterbalance to the blade, allowing a more fluid style of fighting.{{Dubious|date=March 2012}}<ref name="laodes">{{cite book|last=Loades|first=Mike|title=Swords and Swordsmen|year=2010|publisher=Pen & Sword Books|location=Great Britain|isbn=978-1-84884-133-8}}</ref>
It can also be used as a blunt instrument at close range, and its weight affects the centre of percussion. In later times a ''[[Hilt#Sword knot|sword knot]]'' or ''[[Hilt#Sword knot|tassel]]'' was sometimes added. By the 17th century, with the growing use of firearms and the accompanying decline in the use of [[armour]], many [[rapier]]s and [[European dueling sword|dueling swords]] had developed elaborate basket hilts, which protect the palm of the wielder and rendered the [[Gauntlet (glove)|gauntlet]] obsolete.<ref>Wagner, Eduard (2004). ''Swords and daggers: an illustrated handbook''. Courier Dover Publications, p. 13, {{ISBN|0-486-43392-7}}</ref> By contrast, Japanese swords of the early modern period customarily used a small disc guard, or [[tsuba|{{Transliteration|ja|tsuba}}]].

In late medieval and Renaissance era European swords, a flap of leather called the ''chappe'' or ''rain guard'' was attached to a sword's [[crossguard]] at the base of the hilt to protect the mouth of the scabbard and prevent water from entering.<ref>Burton, p. 124</ref>

===Sword scabbards and suspension===
{{main|Scabbard}}

Common accessories to the sword include the [[scabbard]] and [[baldric]], known as a 'sword belt'.
* The scabbard, also known as the sheath, is a protective cover often provided for the sword blade. Scabbards have been made of many materials, including leather, wood, and metals such as brass or steel. The metal fitting where the blade enters the leather or metal scabbard is called the throat, which is often part of a larger scabbard mount, or locket, that bears a carrying ring or stud to facilitate wearing the sword. The blade's point in leather scabbards is usually protected by a metal tip, or [[chape]], which on both leather and metal scabbards is often given further protection from wear by an extension called a drag, or shoe.<ref>Robson, Brian (1975). ''Swords of the British Army: the regulation patterns, 1788–1914''. Arms and Armour Press, p. 10, {{ISBN|0-901721-33-6}}</ref>
* A sword belt is a [[belt (clothing)|belt]] with an attachment for the sword's scabbard, used to carry it when not in use. It is usually fixed to the scabbard of the sword, providing a fast means of drawing the sword in battle. Examples of sword belts include the [[Balteus (sword belt)|Balteus]] used by the [[Roman legionary]].<ref>Smith, pp. 133–34</ref> Swords and sword belts continue in use for ceremonial occasions by military forces.<ref>{{Cite report|url=https://rmhistorical.com/files/content/RAF%20Dress%20Regulations%202004.pdf|title=Uniform dress and appearance regulations for the Royal Air Force|year=2004|edition=6|id=AP 1358|publisher=Ministry of Defence|pages=9–16 - Ceremonial Sword Belt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite report|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/media/royal-navy-responsive/documents/reference-library/br-3-vol-1/chapter-39.pdf|title=Royal Navy Book of Reference|id=BRd3(1)|chapter=39. ROYAL NAVY OFFICERS AND RATINGS, Annex 39A: RN Dress Tables|date=October 2018|edition=9|page=39A-1,39A-33}}</ref>