In continuation of yesterday's note The Sword becoming the Rapier, We want to emphasize that the transition from the medieval sword to rapier was neither sudden nor absolute. On the one hand, we see a lot of transition models, which to some extent are the transitional link between the sword and finished of its development rapier, on the other - swords and rapiers in a certain period of time were used interchangeably.
So, methods of fighting to a rapier and a epee differed applying thrust, rather than chop.
From this follow three facts that reflect the development of the rapier:
• The blade was in regular contact with the blade of the enemy.
• The hand with the sword fell, more and more in the area of the blade of the enemy.
• To be able to apply effective thrust, the hand was to hold the hilt of the rapier is not so, as the hilt of the sword.
These factors brought to the fact that the hand holding the sword, required more protection. Cruciate parrying arches have not been enough.
Therefore developed various systems of the rings, plates and arches, to protect the hand. Handle of such a system in the world of fencing called hilt.

Simultaneously with the development of the rapier, especially epees, has become a common fight with a epee or a rapier in the right hand and a dagger in left hand. Dagger for left hand or used to aid in parrying, that is, to reject, block or break the blade of the enemy and knock him out of the hands, either to break through the defenses of the enemy and kill him, slipping past his blade.

The rapier, epee and dagger for the left hand were later chosen by their appearance: hilt and handle were made by the same blacksmith in the same style, both types of weapons created headsets.

To improve the operation of a dagger to his left hand developed special models, such as swordbreakers. Particularly interesting is a special form is a trident dagger. He has a blade along divided into three parts. When you click on ricasso under spring pressure, they move apart, opening outward, and creates, thus, two grabs for the blade.

Unlike swordbreakers, grips blades of trident daggers are regarded as more effective, and, of course, is suddenly on the enemy greater impact.
XVI century brought to industry producing blades, with significant technical innovations. For example, have been used mechanical hammers, which is powered by water wheels. Thus, the forging of carbon steel was significantly more rational and economical. So, blacksmiths started supplying refined steel in bars, and then hammering blades by hand.
Renaissance is known for the average citizen, primarily due to the great artists such as Leonardo da Vinci. Interest to contemporary culture also affected the industry for the production of blades. Part of the blade and the hilt is richly decorated. When decorating knives most often used two techniques: etching of etching fluid on the blade or hilt of a drawing. If necessary, he then engraved. Another trick was the thread with which produced great-looking hilt.