The finger extended along the top of the blade is a standard variation of the 'curving' the index finger around the front of the hilt, considered the 'starting' grip for the other position. And yes, maybe the fingers are grasping 'nothing' but I was showing that's about as close as the hands seem to want to go. It's as close as I can get from playing around with one of my swept-hilt rapiers and trying to duplicate the grip. Of course... you could always use a bell-hilt and solve the entire problem 8-P If you can't see it, it ain't there, right? And yes, the hilt/blade is in line with the index finger using that type of sword, since that's the logical extension of the arm. I won't argue with how you were taught, but I can agree to disagree.