Thrusting Sword (Estoc) Made 1515-1550 Germany. Stiff-bladed swords or estocs were designed to pierce through the joints or gaps of plate armor. They were often kept on the front of the saddle of a well-equipped man-at-arms and used as an auxiliary weapon in addition to an arming sword, war hammer, or mace. This example has a triple-edged blade that is triangular in cross-section with hollow ground or fluted sides, features that make the blade both ridged and light.. Steel, wood, and leather .