Specifically the grip part of a sword, dagger, or similar bladed weapon. Not used for general tool handles like a hammer or kitchen knife.
Grip the hilt of the sword.
The dagger's hilt was beautifully decorated.
pommel
mallet handle
small utility knife attached to a sword sheath
hilt wrapping; sword handle wrapping
sword hilt shaped like a vajra handle · plain wooden sword hilt
Standard kanji for the hilt or handle of a sword, dagger, or similar weapon.
Variant kanji form; rarely used in modern Japanese.
The kanji 柄 is used for handles in general, but the reading つか is specifically associated with sword hilts. The historical derivation of the reading is uncertain.