Can you all help me please?

[Scott A. Richardson]

I got into a debate during my fencing club with another member who said there were no Medieveal or Renaissance swords with handles that were spherically shaped. He claims all such weapons were ovoid so the fighter would know by feel where his true and false blades were. I said he was full of bunk. I know there are serveral historically accurate reproductions with round handles. What I'm asking from all you good people is, one, who is correct in this debate and, two, can anyone provide for me specific examples or links to such swords? I'm looking preferably for museum pieces to prove that these aren't just modern interpretations.

Thank you all so much. I appreciate it.

[Mars Healey]

Off the top of my head, all I can think of is a rondel dagger that has a round hilt.

Check out this page from Albion. About half way down is the classic rondel. It does have quite a long blade for a dagger. And the hilt is round. Maybe this is what you were thinking of?

[Stewart Sackett]

There's also this Albion blade: http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/johnsson/sword-museum-tritonia.htm which has a spherical pommel. It's an exact recreation of a specific historical sword.

[Matt Bryant]

As far as swords go, I cannot think of one that I have seen that had a circle cross-section in the grip. All are either an oval cross-section or ovular in shape but with sides and vertices, I.e. a stretched out hexagon.

What your acquaintance said is what I have alway heard and from practical experience I would MUCH prefer the oval cross-section.

So there is my feedback

[Scott A. Richardson]

I'm thinking he and I had a lack of communication going on. What's in my mind are swords with a "scent stopper" pommel, which is spherical where it meets the grip. That part of it is therefore circular, even if it does flatten out as it moves towards the blade. I think he was saying no part of it was ever circular, so maybe we're both thinking the same thing and not communicating very well.

[Alan Abu Bakr]

There's also this Albion blade: http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/johnsson/sword-museum-tritonia.htm which has a spherical pommel. It's an exact recreation of a specific historical sword.

He was asking about round grips, not pommels.

[Jeremiah Backhaus]

I got into a debate during my fencing club with another member who said there were no Medieveal or Renaissance swords with handles that were spherically shaped. He claims all such weapons were ovoid so the fighter would know by feel where his true and false blades were. I said he was full of bunk. I know there are serveral historically accurate reproductions with round handles. What I'm asking from all you good people is, one, who is correct in this debate and, two, can anyone provide for me specific examples or links to such swords? I'm looking preferably for museum pieces to prove that these aren't just modern interpretations.

Thank you all so much. I appreciate it.

I added the emphasis here, because in your next post you mention "scent stoppers."

Are you asking about the handle or the Pommel? If you are asking about the pommel this debate is not worth your time. If the handle, well, that could be more interesting. I am asking for further clarification.

-Jeremiah (GFS)

[Scott A. Richardson]

My original question was regarding grips, not pommels. I wanted to know about historical examples of swords with spherical grips. The more I researched it, the more I came to the conclusion that my fencer and I were talking about the same thing, just talking about it from two different ends (you know, like the elephant in the room of blind men?) and so refered to pommels. But this does raise an interesting question regarding the shape of historical sword grips.

[AlexCSmith]

I imagine your use of the word "spherical" probably added to the confusion.

No handle (grip) comes close to this shape but many pommels do.

I think "cylindrical" better describes what you are looking for.

[Scott A. Richardson]

I imagine your use of the word "spherical" probably added to the confusion.

No handle (grip) comes close to this shape but many pommels do.

I think "cylindrical" better describes what you are looking for.

Ah, curse my imperfect language! But you are altogether correct. That is what I mean.

[John_Clements]

I don't recall ever seeing a round handle on an authentic cutting blade of the Medieval or Renaissance eras. I've handled perhaps 200+ antique specimens and seen hundreds more.

I do recall a few with "half grips" where the lower smaller portion tapered and was more round than oval, though. But not the full grip that I can ever remember noticing. It's not uncommon to see round grips on poorer reproductions, however.

JC

[Alan Abu Bakr]

I do recall a few with "half grips" where the lower smaller portion tapered and was more round than oval, though.

Interesting. On what kind(s) of sword(s)?