The Grip - Parts of the European Sword
The swords grip can be made of many different types of material but leaning towards materials that have better gripping qualities. Authentic swords commonly used carved wood grips, horn, ivory or even different varieties of bone for the handle. Wooden handles would often be wrapped in a gripping material like a leather, fish, manta ray or shark skin. The type of material used would usually be influenced by the culture and resources that were readily available. Other wrappings included twine, rope and twisted metal wire. The grip as any of the other pieces of a sword could be very elaborate and ornate. Swords made for royalty may have had expert leather engravings, embossing or lavish decorative ornaments made of gold. The possibilities are almost limitless and you will find examples of many types of grips on the pieces throughout our site as well as museum pieces found throughout the world.
Examples of Various Sword Grips
These are some photo's of several different sword grips on the European swords that we offer.
Close-up view of the green canvas micarta handle on the Baby Banter 2, showing its textured grip and slim everyday carry profile.
See more of the Baby Banter 2 Thumb Stud & Crossbar Lock Knife Green Micarta Handle
he black G10 handle provides a secure, comfortable grip, paired with stainless steel liners and a nested liner lock for reliable strength.
See more of the Baby Banter Thumb Stud Knife Black G10 Handle
Interestingly, the hilt has a feature rarely seen on swords from this era - decorative spacers between the grip, pommel and guard.
See more of the The Askeaton Early Viking Sword
The balance point is only 3/16” from the guard, making his sword extremely quick and responsive, designed to dart around enemy shields. The grip features leather that is dimpled using a historically authentic "wet-wrap" process, during which fine cord is tightly wrapped around a wet leather grip.
See more of the The Askeaton Early Viking Sword
The grip features leather that is dimpled using a historically authentic "wet-wrap" process, during which fine cord is tightly wrapped around a wet leather grip. When it's dry, the cord is removed and the leather is left attractively indented and provides improved texture and grip.
See more of the Classic Medieval Cutting Sword
The grip is wood with raised spiral ridges and wrapped in brown leather as is the matching ornate scabbard.
See more of the Knightly German Bastard Sword
The grip features leather that is dimpled using a historically authentic "wet-wrap" process, during which fine cord is tightly wrapped around a wet leather grip.
See more of the Pirate Boarding Cutlass
The leather that covers the grip and scabbard is dyed a very deep green that it looks almost black in dim light.
See more of the Irish Medieval Sword
The original, believed to be Confederate, was a true blacksmith’s hybrid—combining the familiar D-Guard fighting grip with a bolo-influenced chopping blade.
See more of the Civil War D-Guard Chopper
The tsuka encapsulates the tang in textured G10 and is dual pinned for a secure grip which is unremovable.
See more of the Modern Wakizashi - Bohi
The tsuka encapsulates the tang in textured G10 and is dual pinned for a secure grip.
See more of the Modern Katana - Bohi
The leather grip has been given an aged finish to look “experienced”.
See more of the Othala Viking Bearded Axe Set