Fencer Ridolfo Capo Ferro defined the forte as the blade from the hilt to the middle.
The debole is the part of the sword, especially a rapier, that is used for offensive actions.
Italian fencing master Ridolfo Capo Ferro defined the forte as the blade from the hilt to the middle.
[1] By contrast, fencing master Salvator Fabris divides the debole into two sections, the third and fourth part (the first and second are divisions of the forte).
The third part, midway to three-quarters of the way to the tip, is ineffective but not entirely useless for defense.