A pommel is the rounded knob at the end of a sword's handle, positioned where the grip meets your hand. This seemingly simple part serves an important purpose: it helps keep your hand from sliding off and helps balance the blade.

Swordsmiths often decorated pommels with intricate designs or precious metals, making them both functional and beautiful. A knight's sword might have a pommel engraved with his family crest, while a wealthy merchant's blade might feature a gold or silver pommel studded with jewels.

As a verb, to pommel means to strike or beat something repeatedly.