Ricasso

Blades designed this way appear at many periods in history in many parts of the world and date back to at least the Bronze Age—essentially, as long as humans have shaped cutting tools from metals.

[1] There were many reasons to make a blade with a ricasso, and in Europe, later longswords, claymores, rapiers, and other lengthy swords often had this feature.

One very simple influence presently and historically is fashion,[2] which often answers this question for blades where the presence or lack of a ricasso has no effect on how it is used.

When used aggressively with adequate space to build up swinging momentum, the weapon would be held at the end of the grip for the best reach and power.

Some experts on historical combat believe that this technique of sustained blade swinging was used as a tactic for swordsmen to penetrate pike formations.