The Ricasso - Parts of the European SwordThe ricasso is at the base of the blade where it meets the guard. This area is often un-sharpened and as thick as the thickest portion of the blade or the tang. The ricasso is used on the rapier for certain techniques where the wielder may wrap their pointer finger over the basket and around the ricasso for increased control. Some medieval swords would have a large enough ricasso where you could grip it with your entire hand for increased leverage for some maneuvers. This section is not blunt on all swords; many are sharpened all the way to the guard however, “Ricasso” is still correct for referring to this section of blade next to the guard.Ricasso PhotosThese are some photo's of several different Ricasso found on the European swords that we offer.Typically used to carve paths through lines of pole-arm soldiers and combat throughout the battlefield ranks. The double-edged straight blade featured a flattened ricasso that allowed the swordsman to choke up on the blade for more control, dexterity and maneuverability for close quarters combat. See more of the Great SwordThe parrying hooks at the end of the ricasso kept the user’s hand from slipping onto the blade and catching blades or pole-arm shafts. See more of the Great Swordthe blades ricasso and underside of the basket See more of the Battlecry CutlassThe high-carbon steel diamond cross-section blade and has a pierced cross of the Knights Templar at its ricasso. See more of the Faithkeeper - Dagger of the Knights Templar The Feather Swords have a large ricasso and foiled blade See more of the Federschwert Fencing LongswordThe feder has a longsword grip and large ricasso See more of the Federschwert Fencing LongswordThe high-carbon steel blade has a deep fuller on both sides and has a pieced cross of the Knights Templar at its ricasso. See more of the Faithkeeper - Sword of the Knights TemplarThe guard has a forward curve towards the the tip and the ricasso area of the blade. See more of the Classic Bastard SwordA heavy ricasso strengthens the blade on this rapier See more of the 17th Century Italian RapierThe blade has aesthetic etching adding interest to the ricasso See more of the Brandenburg RapierGrooved thumb rest in the ricasso for improved control when thrusting, pointed steel skull crusher pommel. Leather washer grip with leather cross guard buffer (the leather buffer was only attached through the tang, it was not attached to the back of the cross guard). See more of the V-42 WWII DaggerThe blade ricasso See more of the Torino Rapier
The Basket-Hilt - Parts of ... The basket or basket-hilt is an evolution of the earlier medieval swords where the quillons or cr... Read More »
The Chappe: Essential Prote... The material of choice for a chappe was often leather, selected for its flexibility and water-res... Read More »
The Ferrule - Parts of the ... The ferrule or furelles are the ring or cap found on some sword hilts that cap the two ends of th... Read More »