Pommels

Pommels are knobs or rounded caps at the end of a handle or similar shaft. The term is most familiar from European swords, where the pommel completes the weapon’s hilt. In its simplest form, the pommel provides a counterweight to the blade, helping to balance the weapon in the hand and to secure the tang inside the grip. It may also be struck in close combat and can contribute to grip stability.

Across periods and regions, pommels vary widely in shape and size. Common types include disk or flat disk pommels, wheel pommels (a circular protrusion), cap pommels, and more elaborate forms like teardrop or rod shapes. The choice of form affects balance and handling. Pommels are typically made of metal such as steel, iron, or brass, but historical examples may feature wood, ivory, or horn inlays. The pommel is often threaded onto the blade’s tang or fixed by peening, screws, or a wedge, and it may be removable for maintenance or blade replacement.

Other uses: in horsemanship, the pommel is the front, knob-like projection of a saddle that supports the rider and helps secure the seat. In decorative arts, pommels may be purely ornamental.

Etymology: the word derives from Old French pomel, a diminutive of pomme, meaning apple, likely referring to the rounded shape.