Grip

Grip (Weapon Part)

A grip is the area by which an article is held. This term particularly is used when referring to a sword or a shield.

Grips were often made of wood or metal and might be covered with leather, a textile or rayskin. The handle then might also be bound with wire that could be a precious metal.

Grip (Action)

The grip refers to the way a weapon or tool is held both in degree of firmness and also manner. This can be important as too tight a grip can lead to strain and tiredness and too loose a grip can lead to inadvertent projectiles.

Eastern martial arts and sports that involve weapons can often but not always advocate a certain grip or series of grips. Western martial arts also demonstrates a number of changes.