What's meant by balance?
The balance of a sword refers to the location where the center of gravity of the weapon lies.
This point is also called the balance point or center of balance.
The balance determines how a sword feels in your hand:
how quickly the weapon moves,
how much control you have,
and how heavy or light the weapon feels during use.
This is a physical and constructive characteristic of the sword and is separate from usage forms like re‑enactment or LARP.
Step‑by‑step: measuring the balance
Step 1 – Find a stable fulcrum
Use a finger, a thin round rod or the edge of a table.
The fulcrum must be narrow so the sword can tilt.
Step 2 – Lay the sword horizontally
Place the sword flat and horizontally on the fulcrum.
Start around the middle of the blade.
Step 3 – Shift until it balances
Slide the sword slowly back and forth until it stays perfectly balanced.
The moment when the sword doesn't tilt forward or backward is the center of gravity.
Step 4 – Measure the distance
Now measure the distance from the crossguard to the balance point.
This is usually expressed in centimeters.
What does the balance tell you about a sword?
Balance close to the crossguard
The sword feels agile and quick.
Gives lots of control in fine movements.
Balance further forward
The sword feels heavier in the strike.
Delivers more momentum in cutting movements.
Neither is "better"; the balance depends on:
the type of sword,
the length of the blade,
and the intended use.
Factors that influence the balance
Length and width of the blade
Thickness of the steel
Weight of the pommel and crossguard
Shape of the blade (tapered or not)
A sword can have the same total weight but feel completely different because of a different balance.
Summary
You measure the balance of a sword by:
Resting the sword horizontally on a narrow fulcrum
Finding the point where it doesn't tilt
Measuring the distance from that point to the crossguard
The balance determines how a sword feels and moves, and is an objective, measurable property of the weapon itself.
