Rapier Anatomy
The anatomy of a rapier consists of two parts: the blade and the hilt. The hilt can be divided into multiple parts.
Blade
The blade of a rapier is extremely long and thin, and becomes progressively thinner along the length of the blade. It ends in a sharp and flexible point, the most important part of the blade. The point of the blade is ideal for piercing armor and is highly maneuverable. The part of the blade closest to the handle is the thickest and provides the strength of the sword.
The edges of the blade are not very sharp, because this type of sword was primarily used for thrusting rather than cutting or hacking.
Tang
The blade has a narrow extension, the so-called tang. The tang is used to attach the blade to the handle.
Ricasso
The ricasso is an unsharpened part of the blade between the blade and the tang.
Crossguard
Between the blade and the handle sits the crossguard. The crossguard extends on both sides of the blade. One side is the front protective arm and the other side is the rear protective arm. When your opponent's sword slides along your sword, it is blocked by the crossguard and you prevent injury to your hand.
Hilt
The hilt of a rapier is one of the most recognizable features. Most rapiers have a cup-shaped grip or a swept grip.
Both types of grips cover the hand like a cup. The difference is that a cup hilt is a rounded piece of steel without holes, while the swept grip consists of multiple curved bars with open spaces between them. A cup hilt is said to offer better protection against thrusts, while the swept grip offers better protection against cuts.
Although the swept grip certainly has a practical purpose, it also serves as decoration.
Knuckle Guard
From beneath the cup hilt or the swept hilt comes a curved piece of steel that extends down in front of the hand. This is the knuckle guard. The primary purpose of the knuckle guard is to protect the sword hand, but it also shows which side of the blade should be up and which side should be down.
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