I got the East Earl-Marshall to approve ricasso points on a greatsword - and if the edge was padded as a flamberge, he allowed a grip further up than the 18" handle. It was either a pole arm you could swing from the end, or a greatsword with a handle longer than 18"... Such a fun weapon! Much better for close-work than a standard greatsword. The only thing it fell short on was no hook for pulling away shields in melee.