crossguard

Sword hand protector

A crossguard is the bar or set of bars extending perpendicular to a sword blade just above the handle, designed to protect the hand from an opponent's blade sliding down during combat.

The crossguard gives medieval European swords their characteristic cross shape: The knight's crossguard caught the blow before it reached his fingers.

swordtypes

rapier

Slender dueling blade

longswordTwo-handed medieval blade
broadswordWide-bladed cutting weapon
claymoreScottish great sword

bastard sword · arming sword · medieval sword · falchion · greatsword · spatha

swordpart

hilt

Weapon's graspable portion

pommelSaddle's front knob
gripSecure manual hold
tangSharp, biting flavor

fuller · blade · finger ring · handguard

fencing

parry

Defensive blade deflection

riposteSwift clever reply
épéeFencing sword, points only
foilDefeat a plan

sabre · bout · thrust · lunge · bladework · feint · disengage · counterattack · defense · block

function

protection

Guarding against harm

defenseProtection against harm
hand protectionGear covering fingers, palms
parryingDeflecting an attack

blocking · balance · counterweight · control · leverage · stopping · barrier · safety

swordsmithing

forge

Furnace for shaping metal

blacksmithIron-shaping craftsperson
anvilMetal-shaping block
temperingControlled heating and cooling

swordsmith · metalwork · steel · iron · craftsmanship · furnace · quenching · grinding · polishing · heat treatment

Categories

sword partsblade, hilt, grip, pommel, tang
weapon partsblade, handle, haft, shaft, head
sword guardsbasket hilt
ancient weaponssword, swords, shield, shields, bow
swordssword, sabres, longsword, rapier, saber
joustingjoust, jousting, lance, tilt, tilting

Opposites

sword component position

crossguardpommel

Saddle's front knob

blade · blade tip · point · edge · grip

Family

cross, guard, guarded, crossing, guardian, safeguard, guarding, bodyguard, crosswalk

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G