The Art of the Pommel

The pommel attaches to the threaded end of the blade and secures the guard, finger pad and grip on the foil.  It's not only a tightening device, its weight helps to balance the foil's elements for optimal blade handling.  At one time, when swords were used in real combat, it was considered perfectly acceptable to strike (pummel) your opponent with the pommel.  There is mixed evidence as to all the details of this practice so I won't debate it here but I'm sure, in a life or death situation, all was fair.

While some pommels are cast from brass and other readily meltable materials, I prefer to create mine by machining from bulk  materials.  Presented are three Classical Fencing foil styles that I've made recently.  On the front left is a conical pommel machined from a two inch slug of brass (rear right).  The other two are hex-shaped pommels made from bars of hexagonal steel and brass.  The collars at the very front are matching bushings made to fit over softer wood grips that are cord wrapped (see previous post on grips).

The tool shown at the back left is one of the lathe bits and its holder that I use to turn the pommels.  One of the pleasures of machining is making my own cutting bits from high speed steel.  The pommel in the center is made from relatively mild steel but harder steels often require the use of commercial carbide bits.

One of the more critical elements in making a pommel is maintaining the center so it can be accurately drilled and then tapped with threads.  I try to ensure that the hole perfectly aligns through the entire center of the pommel for a clean fit against the grip so drilling and tapping are done directly on the lathe.  Holding a conical shape correctly aligned in the jaws of the lathe required the creation of a matching sleeve to prevent marring the polished surface.

Machining allows for not only varied shapes but for types of finishes as well.  While the conical pommel at the bottom is highly polished, the two hex-shaped pommels above have a combination of satin and polished surfaces.

In closing, I must point out that the feel and maneuverability of a particular weapon is a very complex issue comprised of many elements and the pommel is just one.  As pointed out by Ben Bowles of Benjamin Arms, even the perfectly "balanced" weapon (by accepted standards) may prove unwieldy and ineffective in use if all the elements don't come together.  I find myself changing things quite often until I'm completely satisfied that a particular weapon is what I want to use.