21-Inch Greek Xiphos Sword — Hand-Forged Hoplite Leaf Blade

21-Inch Greek Xiphos Sword — Hand-Forged Hoplite Leaf Blade | Full Tang, Battle-Ready, Customizable

The 21-Inch Greek Xiphos Sword by Everest Forge is our flagship Xiphos — a true-to-history recreation of the classical hoplite short sword, hand-forged in Kathmandu, Nepal from 5160 high carbon spring steel, water-tempered, and shipped sharpened, ready to use. At 21 inches of blade length, 27 inches overall, and 2.5 lbs in weight, this is the authentic Greek Xiphos length used by hoplites from the Persian Wars through the campaigns of Alexander the Great — the optimal balance of cut, thrust, reach, and one-handed control alongside a hoplite's shield (aspis).

This Xiphos is fully customisable. Choose your blade length anywhere from 16 inches to 30 inches, your blade finish (Satin, Mirror, or Blacked/Coated), your handle material (Rosewood, White-wood, Horn, or Bone), and your leather scabbard colour from 6 options — Black, Brown, Yellow, Red, Green, or Blue. Free personalised engraving on every blade — your name, initials, motto, or family crest. Free custom logo and photo upload for one-of-a-kind designs. No other Xiphos seller offers this depth of customisation at this price.

Xiphos Sword Dimensions & Specifications

The 21-inch Greek Xiphos is built to historically accurate dimensions, based on archaeological references from Greek hoplite weapon finds across Greece, southern Italy, and the wider Mediterranean. Every blade is hand-measured, hand-forged, and quality-checked before shipment.

Customise Your 21-Inch Xiphos

Every Xiphos we forge can be customised to your exact specification at order time. The 21-inch length is the standard historical hoplite size and the most popular choice — but if you need a shorter sidearm Xiphos or a longer collector showpiece, choose your length below. All customisation is selected through the dropdowns on this page, with personalisation typed directly into the order field and custom logos uploaded as a file.

Key Features

Historically accurate hoplite design. Based on archaeological Xiphos finds from Greek classical-era sites. Leaf-shaped, double-edged geometry, 21-inch blade length matching the documented 18–24" range used by Greek warriors from the 5th to 3rd centuries BCE.

5160 high carbon spring steel. The same material used in heavy-duty vehicle leaf springs — chosen for shock resistance, edge retention, and toughness. Oil-quenched and water-tempered to working hardness. Not stainless. Not a wall-hanger. Real working steel.

Distal-tapered double edge. The blade thins from base to tip — improving agility, reducing rotational mass, and giving the Xiphos its signature quick-recovery feel. Both edges are sharpened and ready for cutting practice or HEMA-style training.

Full-tang construction. Solid 5160 steel runs through the entire 6-inch handle, riveted through Rosewood (or your chosen material). Reinforced steel guard and pommel cap for combat-grade balance and authentic Greek aesthetics.

Hand-forged in Kathmandu, Nepal. Forged by hand on traditional anvils by master blacksmiths. See the full forging process on The Making page. Meet our team on Meet the Maker.

Handmade leather-wrapped scabbard included. Cottonwood core, hand-stitched genuine leather wrap, contoured to your blade. Pick from 6 leather colours at no extra cost.

Free personalised engraving + free custom logo upload. Name, initials, family motto, military insignia, reenactment crest, or any custom artwork — all included at no extra cost on every order.

How Long Is a Xiphos Sword? Historical Context for the 21-Inch Length

The historical Greek Xiphos blade typically measured 18 to 24 inches (45–60 cm), with the exact length varying by region, era, and warrior preference. At 21 inches, this Xiphos sits at the mathematical centre of the classical hoplite range — long enough for serious cutting reach, short enough for the one-handed thrust-and-recovery combat the Xiphos was designed for inside the phalanx formation.

Spartan Xiphos blades were historically among the shortest, sometimes as short as 12–18 inches, optimised for the tight shield-to-shield combat the Spartans were known for. Macedonian Xiphos blades carried by Alexander the Great's phalangites trended toward the longer end of the range — 22–24 inches. The 21-inch Xiphos works as both: short enough for Spartan-style phalanx fighting, long enough for Macedonian reach.

If you want a different historical period or warrior style:

• Spartan / Compact hoplite: Order 16" or 18" length (–$35 / –$20)
• Standard hoplite (this product): 21" or 22" length (base price)
• Macedonian / late Classical: 22" or 24" length (base / +$25)
• Officer / collector showpiece: 26" / 28" / 30" length (+$45 / +$65 / +$75)

Who Buys the 21-Inch Greek Xiphos

Ancient Greek history collectors — The 21-inch Xiphos is the most-asked-for length in our entire Xiphos range because it matches the central historical blade length. Carrying this blade represents the entire Greek hoplite military tradition.

Hoplite reenactors & living history groups — Reenactment groups recreating the Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, or Alexander's campaigns. Hand-forged steel, period-accurate leaf-blade geometry, leather scabbard included. Bulk orders welcome.

HEMA practitioners — Historical European Martial Arts students studying Greek and Roman short-sword technique. Real-weight, full-tang, sharpened blade for cutting practice. Blunt training versions available for sparring.

Cosplay & film prop builds — 300, Troy, Alexander, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Hades, Spartacus. Add your character's name or insignia via free engraving. Mirror finish for cinematic look, Blacked finish for tactical/modern fantasy.

Cutting-practice users — The 21" length and forward-of-grip balance make this Xiphos particularly suited to tatami mat, water bottle, and bamboo cutting drills. 5160 spring steel and full-tang construction stand up to repeated cutting.

Gift buyers — A hand-forged Xiphos with free personalised engraving is a serious gift for the right recipient — history enthusiasts, classical scholars, military veterans, milestone birthdays, retirement gifts, groomsmen gifts. Free name engraving turns this into a one-of-a-kind heirloom.

What's Included With Every 21-Inch Xiphos

• One 21-inch Greek Xiphos sword (or your chosen length 16"–30")
• Hand-stitched leather-wrapped wooden scabbard (your colour choice)
• Free personalised engraving (your name / text / motto)
• Free custom logo or photo engraving (your uploaded artwork)
• Manufacturer's care guide
• Tracked worldwide shipping via DHL Express or FedEx International
• 30-day satisfaction guarantee + 6-month manufacturing warranty

The Xiphos in Greek History

The Xiphos (Greek: ξίφος, "sword") was the trusted secondary weapon of the Greek hoplite for over 400 years — from the 8th century BCE through the rise of Macedonian arms. When the warrior's primary spear, the dory, was broken or lost, the Xiphos was drawn from beneath the left arm where it hung on a baldric. Designed for close-quarters combat inside the phalanx formation, the leaf-shaped, double-edged blade delivered both powerful slashing cuts and precise thrusts into the gaps between enemy shields.

The genius of the Xiphos was its leaf-blade geometry. Broad at the middle and tapering to a deadly point, the Xiphos could open a wound or punch through a gap in an enemy's armour with equal precision. Combined with the hoplite's massive bronze shield (aspis) and his crested helmet, the Xiphos completed the iconic kit that defined Greek warfare from Marathon to the conquest of Persia.

The Xiphos was carried by the Spartans at Thermopylae, the Athenians at Marathon, the combined Greek forces at Plataea, and the Macedonians under Alexander the Great. Today it remains one of the most iconic short swords in military history — the blade that, more than any other, defines the warrior tradition of Ancient Greece. Read the full Xiphos history blog.

Worldwide Shipping & Trust

Every Everest Forge Xiphos ships from Kathmandu, Nepal via DHL Express or FedEx International with full tracking. Total typical timeline: 8–15 business days (3–5 days for forging and quality-checking, plus 5–10 days for international delivery). Custom and personalised orders may take longer.

• Shipping & Returns — DHL/FedEx delivery, tracking, customs
• Warranty & Returns Policy — 30-day satisfaction, 6-month warranty
• Secure Shopping — SSL checkout, PCI-compliant payment
• The Making — how every blade is forged
• Meet the Maker — our blacksmiths in Kathmandu
• Battle Ready Standard — what we mean by battle-ready

Compare With Other Xiphos Blades

If 21 inches isn't the right size for you, browse the full Xiphos range:

• 14-Inch Xiphos Dagger — Compact sidearm Xiphos ($134.99)
• 15-Inch Customized Xiphos Dagger — Fully customisable dagger ($139.99)
• 18-Inch Short Xiphos Sword — Spartan-style short Xiphos, on sale ($149.99)
• 22-Inch Angel Wings Xiphos — Distinctive winged-guard design ($224.99)
• 24-Inch Ancient Greek Xiphos — Full-length classical Xiphos ($234.99)
• 28-Inch Extra Large Xiphos — Officer's blade collector showpiece ($374.99)
• View All Xiphos Swords — Full category

Frequently Asked Questions — 21-Inch Greek Xiphos