The hilt is either straight or slightly curved (most common on cockatua pommel hilts). Rapiers often have complex, sweeping hilts designed to protect the hand wielding the sword. "Okir" among the Tausug is usually limited to the hilts and scabbards of weapons. Their weapons were often richly decorated on areas such as sword hilts. These have silver-gilt hilts and sheaths. They were ornately crafted and their hilts were covered in gold foil. Of the four swords only the hilts are left. Rayskin leather (same'gawa) is used in the manufacture of hilts of traditional Japanese swords. Some other forms provided finger rings, curved quillons, or other varieties of compound hilts. A common feature of the hilts was a 'bend' just below the pommel. Subtype XIIIa has longer blades and hilts. At some point in time they were embellished with hilts made from gilded silver. Horses were the most common shapes for the hilts of blades. Late examples often had European-made blades, set into distinctive Indian-made hilts. These hilts were often of very intricate sculpting and design.