Quick Answer
Clue: “Sharp part of a sword”
Answer: BLADE
Answer length: 5 letters
Clue number and direction: 2-Down
The New York Times crossword clue “Sharp part of a sword” is answered with BLADE, the main sharpened portion of the weapon that does the cutting and thrusting.
Why BLADE Is the Right NYT Answer
- Solver and recap sites for the January 30, 2026 NYT Mini clearly confirm BLADE as the exact 5-letter solution for this clue.
- In standard sword anatomy, the blade is the long metal part extending from the hilt that carries the sharp edge and point, so it is literally the “sharp part of a sword.”
- Other related words like EDGE or TIP are sometimes used in other puzzles, but those have different letter counts and are not the confirmed NYT Mini entry here.
What BLADE Means in Plain English
- A blade is the sharp, cutting portion of a tool or weapon designed to slice, chop, or pierce. On a sword, the blade includes the sharpened edge and the point that make it effective in combat or display.
- So if the clue talks about the sharp part of a sword, it is simply pointing to the blade rather than the handle, guard, or sheath.
Crossword-Specific Help for BLADE
- In a grid, BLADE appears as B L A D E; with crossings you might momentarily see B_AD_, BL_DE, or _LADE, but any clue involving swords, knives, or razors makes BLADE a strong candidate.
- Crossword archives frequently use BLADE for clues like “Sharp part,” “Sword part,” “Razor piece,” or “Cutting edge,” making it very familiar fill.
- Because it’s a common everyday word, BLADE is not obscure “crosswordese” but a straightforward vocabulary item you’ll see across many outlets.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- For 5-letter weapon or tool clues such as “Sharp part of a sword,” “Razor component,” “Knife part,” “Cutting piece,” think BLADE first.
- Reserve EDGE (4 letters) or TIP/POINT (3–5 letters) for clues that specifically say “edge” or “tip” rather than “part of a sword” in general.
If crossings yield B_AD_ or BL_DE and the clue mentions cutting or sharpness, BLADE is almost always the intended answer.
More NYT Mini Crossword Answers for January 30, 2026
| Clue | Answer | |
| 1A | “Top Gear” | View Answer |
| 6A | Announcement that causes groans among travelers | View Answer |
| 7A | Middle of a drum kit, typically | View Answer |
| 8A | Political staffers | View Answer |
| 9A | Bottom-line figure | View Answer |
| 1D | French-speaking nation in West Africa | View Answer |
| 2D | Sharp part of a sword | View Answer |
| 3D | This text mark: ^ | View Answer |
| 4D | Left-leaning political org. | View Answer |
| 5D | “Right you are!” | View Answer |
