AT: "nt"
Hikaru Sulu activating his sword.
The expanded sword.
A retractable sword was a hand-held weapon, with a blade that could be retracted by pressing a button on the hilt. When sheathed the blade was entirely contained within the hilt, making it small and compact and easily transported. When released the blade extended rapidly to a length of approximately one meter by unfolding in segments.
Hikaru Sulu owned one of these and used it on the Narada's drill platform above Vulcan in 2258 to fight off a pair of Romulans. (Star Trek)