Editing Rapier (section)

== Parts of the sword ==

=== Hilt ===
Rapiers often have complex, sweeping hilts designed to protect the hand wielding the sword. Rings extend forward from the crosspiece. In some later samples, rings are covered with metal plates, eventually evolving into the cup hilts of many later rapiers.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Valentine |first1=Eric |title=Rapiers: An Illustrated Reference Guide to Rapiers of 16th & 17th Centuries with Their Companions |date=1968 |pages=49–50 |publisher=Stackpole Books |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qIoHofkrXSgC&q=cup+hilt+rapiers |access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref> There were hardly any samples that featured plates covering the rings prior to the 1600s. Many hilts include a knuckle bow extending down from the crosspiece protecting the grip, which was usually wood wrapped with cord, leather or wire. A large [[Hilt#Pommel|pommel]] (often decorated) secures the hilt to the weapon and provides some weight to balance the long blade.
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=== Blade ===
Various rapier masters divided the blade into two, three, four, five or even nine parts. The [[Forte (fencing)|forte]], strong, is that part of the blade closest to the hilt; in cases where a master divides the blade into an even number of parts, this is the first half of the blade. The [[wikt:debile|debole]], weak, is the part of the blade which includes the point and is the second half of the blade when the sword is divided into an even number of parts. However, some rapier masters divided the blade into three parts (or even a multiple of three), in which case the central third of the blade, between the forte and the debole, was often called the medio, mezzo or the terzo. Others used four divisions (Fabris) or even 12 (Thibault).

The [[ricasso]] is the rear portion of the blade, usually unsharpened. It extends forward from the [[crossguard|crosspiece]] or quillion and then gradually integrates into the thinner and sharper portion of the blade.

=== Overall length ===
There was historical disagreement over how long the ideal rapier should be, with some masters, such as Thibault, denigrating those who recommended longer blades; Thibault's own recommended length was such that the cross of the sword be level with the navel (belly button) when standing naturally with the point resting on the ground.<ref>{{cite book |first=Girard |last=Thibault |title=Academie de l'Espée |year=1630 }}</ref> A small number of rapiers with extending blades were made, of which four survive in modern collections.<ref name=Impey144/> The purpose of the ability is unclear, with suggestions including trying to gain the advantage of surprise in a duel or an attempt to get around laws limiting weapon length.<ref name=Impey144>{{cite book |editor-last1=Impey |editor-first1=Edward |editor-link1=Edward Impey |date=2022 |title=Treasures of the Royal Armouries A Panoply of Arms |publisher=Royal Armouries Museum |page=144 |isbn=9781913013400}}</ref>