How to Balance Your Saber with the Fallen Pommel: A Step-by-Step Guide

Few factors impact combat performance more than saber balance. A well-balanced saber feels like an extension of your arm, reducing fatigue and improving control during spins, strikes, and parries. The pommel is key: adding weight at the hilt shifts the center of gravity toward your hand, making the blade lighter and more maneuverable. The Fallen Pommel is specifically designed to help duelists fine-tune this balance, and in this guide, we’ll walk you through the process step by step.

Whether you’re upgrading an apprentice saber or refining a tournament weapon, understanding how weight distribution affects handling is essential. We’ll cover everything from the science of balance to practical installation and adjustment techniques. Along the way, we’ll reference other components such as the Vengeance Pommel and the Covertech Knob 05 so you can compare options and choose the best setup for your style.

Understanding Saber Balance and Why It Matters

Saber balance refers to the point along the hilt where the weapon feels neutral when held. A blade-heavy saber (center of gravity near the tip) requires more wrist strength to control, slowing reaction time. A hilt-heavy saber (center near the pommel) allows faster tip movement but may feel clunky if over-weighted. The ideal balance point for most combat sabers is just above the emitter or at the switch section, depending on blade length and style.

The Fallen Pommel is engineered to add dense weight at the very end of the hilt, pulling the center of gravity rearward. This is particularly beneficial for longer blades (32–40 inches) that otherwise feel tip-heavy. By selecting the right pommel and potentially pairing it with additional weight accessories, you can achieve a neutral or slightly hilt-heavy balance that enhances spinning and one-handed techniques.

• Tip-heavy sabers feel sluggish in fast exchanges; hilt-heavy sabers improve tip speed but may reduce reach power.
• Experiment with pommel weight first before modifying the blade or emitter.
• Record your balance point before and after each change to track improvements.

Choosing the Right Pommel for Your Build

The Fallen Pommel is available in the SaberForge lineup as a standalone piece. Its tapered design and internal mass provide a concentrated weight that works well with both single-handed and two-handed grips. For comparison, the Vengeance Pommel offers a heavier, more aggressive weight distribution with a larger profile, making it ideal for sabers that need extreme hilt bias. Meanwhile, the Nomad Pommel Mk2 provides a medium-weight option with a slimmer profile.

When selecting a pommel, consider your blade length, hilt material (aluminum vs. steel), and personal fighting style. The Fallen Pommel is best for duelists who want a subtle yet effective balance shift without adding excessive length to the hilt. If you need even more weight, you can add a Covertech Knob 05 to the pommel base; this small accessory adds a few grams and also serves as a belt attachment point.

• Fallen Pommel: optimal for 32–36 inch blades, moderate weight addition.
• Vengeance Pommel: heavier, great for 40-inch blades or heavy sparring.
• Covertech Knob 05: an easy way to add 5–10 grams to any pommel.

Step-by-Step: Installing the Fallen Pommel

Begin by removing any existing pommel from your saber hilt. Most SaberForge sabers use 1″ diameter threading at the base. Apply a small amount of thread-locker (medium strength) to the male threads of the Fallen Pommel, then screw it onto the hilt by hand. Tighten firmly but avoid over-tightening, which can damage threads. If your hilt has an internal chassis or soundboard, ensure the pommel doesn’t crush wires—leave a 1–2 mm gap if needed.

Once installed, hold the saber at the point just above the emitter (the natural balance point for a standard grip) and let it rest horizontally on your finger. Note where the saber balances. Repeat this test with the blade attached. The goal is to have the balance point move at least 2–3 inches toward the hilt compared to a stock setup. If the saber still feels tip-heavy, consider adding a Vengeance Pommel or stacking two pommels using a Covertech Knob 05 as a spacer.

• Use a small level or your finger to find the balance point before and after installation.
• Mark the balance point with a piece of tape for later reference.
• If the saber is still too tip-heavy, try a heavier pommel such as the Vengeance Pommel.

Fine-Tuning with Accessories and Weight Kits

Beyond the pommel itself, you can fine-tune balance using internal weights or chassis modifications. SaberForge offers various optional accessories, such as the Covertech Knob 05, which can be screwed into the pommel’s base for a few extra grams. For more extreme adjustments, consider adding a steel plug inside the pommel cavity (if it has one) or swapping to a longer, heavier blade (e.g., 40″ heavy grade) that naturally shifts the balance forward—then compensating with a heavier pommel.

Another approach is to balance using the emitter: the Commando Emitter Mk2 is designed to reduce front weight with a more open construction, which pairs well with the Fallen Pommel for an optimally balanced saber. For apprentice sabers, the Progeny Apprentice Emitter is a lightweight option that also benefits from a weighted pommel. Always test your build in sparring to ensure the balance feels natural during movement.

• Start with the lightest blade possible (e.g., 28″ light) and heavy pommel to find your preferred balance.
• Use a scale to measure the exact weight of each component for precise tuning.
• Keep a journal of your setups for future reference.

Testing Your Balance in Real Combat Situations

Static balance tests are useful, but the true test is in motion. Perform basic cuts, spins, and parries. If the saber feels too heavy in the tip during a figure-eight spin, you need more hilt weight. If it feels sluggish to stop a downward strike, the hilt might be too heavy. The Fallen Pommel provides a middle ground that suits most duelists, but don’t be afraid to swap to a Vengeance Pommel if you prefer a heavier feel.

Also, consider grip: a two-handed grip requires a different balance than one-handed dueling. For one-handed, aim for the balance point to be just above the emitter; for two-handed, slightly below the emitter. If you frequently switch grips, a balanced pommel like the Fallen Pommel is ideal because its moderate weight doesn’t over-rotate the saber in either hand. Finally, remember that blade type (light, medium, or heavy grade) significantly affects balance—test with your primary blade.

• Record video of your sparring to analyze balance issues.
• Spar with a partner and ask for feedback on blade control.
• Adjust the pommel weight in small increments (e.g., adding a Covertech Knob 05) until it feels perfect.

Achieving perfect saber balance with the Fallen Pommel is a combination of understanding physics, testing, and fine-tuning. By following this guide and experimenting with components like the Vengeance Pommel or Covertech Knob 05, you can create a saber that responds instantly to your movements. Visit our store to explore the Fallen Pommel and the full range of SaberForge pommels and accessories for your next custom build.