A sword 's crossguard, or cross-guard, is a bar between the blade and hilt intended to protect the wielder's hand and fingers from opponents' weapons, as well as from sliding onto their own blade. Each of the projecting arms extending to either side is known as a quillon or quillion. These may be straight, curved, or otherwise shaped depending on the style of the weapon, and in some designs they may also be used to catch, bind, or control an opponent's blade.