in max : select the blade. i dont know if the sword is one single mesh or more. But select the mesh that contains the blade, go to poly level and select the polys of the left half of the blade. Remember to select the front AND back polys. With the selection press "Detach" and select the option 'as element' and press ok. Done. If you want smooth any region, select again the mesh, go to vertex level, select the vertices that u want smooth and press 'Weld'. Use this method to make sharp edges, cloth trims,... Feel free to contact me if you need