wield

He is wielding a knife.

They wield enormous political power.

a masked raider wielding a handgun.

The rebels were wielding sticks of dynamite.

faction leaders wielded enormous influence within the party.

he had wielded the blade inexpertly, gouging the grass in several places.

the aristocracy continued to wield considerable political power, officering the army.

wields a persuasive pen. It also connotes effectiveness in the exercise of intangibles such as authority or influence:

The ancient emperors wielded Huang Di because howlet is a lucky bird and a raptor ,rather than a bird that eats his mother,or a evil bird.