Long Gladius – Hand-Forged Roman Sword

Q: Is this a real, functional sword or just a display replica?

It is a real, fully functional hand-forged sword, 5160 spring steel, oil-tempered, full tang, inspired by the historical gladius. It is not a cast decorative replica. A blunt version is available if you want a piece purely for display.

Q: What is the handle made from?

The standard handle is white wood, full tang, a lighter-toned grip than the rosewood used on other pieces in the range. Rosewood, buffalo horn, and exotic timbers are available on request.

Long Gladius — Hand-Forged Roman Sword with a Double-Edged Blade

Hand Forged in Nepal Master Blacksmiths, Kathmandu DHL / FedEx Delivery Tracked Worldwide Shipping Our Promise Full Refund or Replacement Secure Payment Safe & Encrypted Checkout

Long Gladius — Hand-Forged Roman Sword with a Double-Edged Blade

Based on 5 reviews. 👍 Write a review

$184.99

Ex Tax: $184.99

Model: Gladius sword
Product Code: Gladiussword3
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal

Available Options

Blade Finishing

Blade Length

Handle Material

Scabbard

Personalize Your Blade(e.g., name, initials, message)

Custom Logo & Photo Engraving (Upload)

Qty

Add to Cart

Buy Now Question

Add to Wish List

Tags: long gladius sword , long gladius , hand forged gladius , roman gladius sword , gladius sword , double edged gladius , white wood handle gladius , full tang gladius , leaf spring gladius , oil tempered gladius , 21 inch gladius , roman short sword , hand forged roman sword , leather scabbard gladius , collector gladius , everest forge gladius , hand forged sword , gladius with scabbard

Long Gladius — A Hand-Forged Roman Sword with a Double-Edged Blade

The Long Gladius from Everest Forge is the longer end of the Roman gladius form — a broad, double-edged blade hand forged in Kathmandu, Nepal. It keeps the classic gladius silhouette and balance but in a longer, more substantial blade, fitted with a white wood grip and supplied with a leather scabbard.

The blade is forged from 5160 high carbon spring steel, oil-tempered to working hardness, with a full tang. It is a genuine, fully functional working sword, not a wall-hanger. The standard blade is 21 inches, and other lengths can be specified before forging.

An honest note. This is a hand-forged collector and reenactment sword — a real, full-tang spring-steel blade. It is a piece inspired by the historical Roman gladius, not a cast decorative replica. Because every blade is forged individually, small variations in wood grain, weight, and finish are natural marks of handwork, not flaws.

Everest Forge — Hand-Forged in Nepal

Make This Long Gladius Yours

Choose your length, handle material, edge, and engraving — or commission a fully bespoke gladius. Personalised engraving is included at no extra charge.

Customise This Gladius → Commission a Bespoke Gladius →

How Long Is a Gladius?

The historical Roman gladius was a short sword, but "short" covered a real range. Most gladius patterns had blades between roughly 18 and 27 inches (about 45 to 68 cm). The early Hispaniensis was the longest, often around 24 to 27 inches; the later Mainz pattern was typically around 20 to 22 inches; and the standardised Pompeii pattern was usually the shortest, around 18 to 20 inches. Overall length, including the hilt, generally ran from about 24 to 33 inches.

This Long Gladius sits at the longer end of that range, with a 21-inch blade and a 29-inch overall length — giving more reach than a compact Pompeii while keeping the gladius balance. If you want a shorter or longer blade, the length is a choice you make before we forge it.

Why This Long Gladius Stands Apart

The longer gladius form

A 21-inch blade at the longer end of the gladius range — more reach than a compact pattern, with the same balanced feel.

Broad double-edged blade

A wide, double-edged gladius blade built for the classic thrust-and-cut, sharpened to a working edge.

White wood grip

A full-tang white wood handle, a lighter-toned grip that sets this gladius apart from the darker rosewood pieces in the range.

5160 spring steel, oil-tempered

The same high carbon spring steel used in vehicle leaf springs, chosen for toughness and resilience. Oil-tempered to a working hardness — a real, functional blade.

Full-tang construction

The tang runs the length of the grip for structural integrity — a fully functional, battle-ready sword built to be handled.

Hand-forged in Nepal

Forged by hand by our blacksmiths in Kathmandu. See the process on The Making and meet the team on Meet the Maker.

Specifications

Type

Long Roman gladius — broad double-edged blade

Blade length

21 inches (standard) — other lengths available

Handle length

8 inches

Overall length

29 inches (standard)

Blade

Broad, double-edged

Steel

5160 high carbon spring steel

Heat treatment

Oil-tempered to working hardness

Tang

Full tang

Handle

White wood (standard)

Scabbard

Leather scabbard, included

Edge

Sharpened working edge — blunt training edge available

Customise Your Long Gladius

Most details on this gladius can be specified to your preference before forging begins. Use the options on this page to build your blade, or contact us for anything outside the standard list.

Length

Standard 21-inch blade, or specify any length from 14 to 30 inches. Forged to your dimension at no extra charge.

Handle Material

White wood as standard. Rosewood, buffalo horn, and exotic timbers are available on request to suit display or handling preference.

Edge

Sharpened working edge by default, or a blunt training edge for HEMA sparring and stage rehearsal — included at no extra charge.

Engraving

Names, dates, Roman mottos such as SPQR, or a crest — engraved on the blade or handle, included at no extra charge.

Build My Long Gladius →

Hand-Forged, Not a Wall-Hanger

An Everest Forge Long Gladius

5160 high carbon spring steel
Oil-tempered to working hardness
Full-tang construction
Forged and shaped by hand
A fully functional, battle-ready blade for cutting practice and reenactment

A typical decorative replica

Stainless or unknown steel
Little or no heat treatment
Rat-tail or partial tang
Cast or stock-removed in a factory
Built for display only — not for handling

The Complete Gladius Collection

Battle Ready Gladius

A brass-hilted gladius with a ball pommel and a fullered, drilled blade.

Skeletonized Gladius

A modern, lightened gladius with a drilled, double-fullered blade.

Mainz Gladius

The early Imperial waisted pattern with a long reinforced point.

Pompeii Gladius

The standardised straight-edged pattern with a short triangular point.

All Roman Gladius Swords

Browse the full Everest Forge gladius range by pattern, length, and use.

Who This Long Gladius Is For

Buyers who want more reach — those who prefer a longer gladius blade over a compact Pompeii or Mainz, while keeping the gladius balance.
Roman history collectors — buyers who want a substantial, double-edged gladius in real, hand-forged steel.
Reenactors and living history — groups who want a full-tang, functional gladius for kit and drill.
Cutting-practice users — those who want a broad working blade for controlled cutting. A blunt training version is available.
Gift buyers — a lasting hand-forged gift for a history enthusiast, with optional engraving.
Film, theatre, and production — full-weight functional steel for productions, with blunt versions for choreography.

How It Is Made

Steel selection

We start with 5160 high carbon spring steel, the same material used in heavy-duty vehicle leaf springs, chosen for toughness and shock resistance.

Forging and shaping

The bar is heated and hammered by hand into the broad, double-edged long gladius blade.

Heat treatment

The blade is hardened and oil-tempered to a working hardness, balancing a durable edge against a resilient spine.

Finishing and fitting

The white wood grip is shaped and fitted, the edge is brought up, and the leather scabbard is finished to match.

What Is Included

One hand-forged long Roman gladius in 5160 spring steel
Leather scabbard
Personalised engraving where requested, at no extra charge
Care guidance for the blade, handle, and leather

Shipping, Returns, and Warranty

Every gladius ships from Kathmandu, Nepal via DHL Express or FedEx International on a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) basis — duties and taxes are handled so there is nothing to pay on arrival. Typical delivery is 8 to 15 business days from order, including forging and processing time. Some countries restrict the import of swords above certain lengths; it is the buyer's responsibility to check local law before ordering.

Standard gladii carry a 30-day satisfaction guarantee in unused condition and a 6-month warranty against manufacturing defects. Custom and personalised pieces are forged to your specification and are non-returnable. Full details are on our Shipping and Returns and Warranty and Returns Policy pages.

Caring for Your Gladius

Wipe the blade clean after handling and apply a light film of mineral or blade oil to protect the high carbon steel from moisture. Store the sword out of the scabbard in dry conditions for long-term keeping, since trapped humidity can mark a carbon blade. Treat the leather occasionally with a leather conditioner, and keep the white wood grip away from prolonged damp or direct heat.

Everest Forge — Hand-Forged Roman Gladius

Order Your Long Gladius

Choose your length, handle, edge, and engraving — or commission a fully bespoke gladius. Every blade is forged in 5160 spring steel and shipped worldwide with tracking, duties paid.

Customise This Gladius → Ask a Question →

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a gladius?

Most historical gladius patterns had blades between roughly 18 and 27 inches (about 45 to 68 cm), with overall lengths of about 24 to 33 inches. The early Hispaniensis was the longest, the Mainz sat in the middle, and the Pompeii was usually the shortest. This Long Gladius has a 21-inch blade and a 29-inch overall length, at the longer end of the range.

How long was the Roman gladius the legions actually used?

The legionary's gladius typically had a blade of about 18 to 24 inches depending on the pattern and period. The earlier Republican and Hispaniensis types tended to be longer, while the Imperial Pompeii pattern was shorter and more standardised. This piece reflects the longer end of that working range.

Why choose a longer gladius?

A longer blade gives more reach and cutting length while keeping the gladius's balanced, point-forward feel. It suits buyers who want more presence and reach than a compact Pompeii or Mainz pattern. If you prefer shorter, you can specify any length before forging.

What are the full dimensions of this gladius?

The standard piece measures 29 inches overall, with a 21-inch blade and an 8-inch handle. The length is a choice — you can specify any blade length from 14 to 30 inches before forging.

Is this a real, functional sword or just a display replica?

It is a real, fully functional hand-forged sword — 5160 spring steel, oil-tempered, full tang — inspired by the historical gladius. It is not a cast decorative replica. A blunt version is available if you want a piece purely for display.

What steel is the blade made from?

The blade is forged from 5160 high carbon spring steel, the same material used in heavy-duty vehicle leaf springs, valued for toughness, shock resistance, and edge retention. It is oil-tempered to a working hardness. Other steels such as 1095 and 1075 are available on custom request.

Is the blade sharp, or can I get it blunt?

The standard edge is a sharpened working edge. A blunt training edge is available at no extra charge for HEMA sparring, stage rehearsal, or where a blunt blade is preferred — just note it in your order or contact us before forging.

What is the handle made from?

The standard handle is white wood, full tang — a lighter-toned grip than the rosewood used on other pieces in the range. Rosewood, buffalo horn, and exotic timbers are available on request.

Does it come with a scabbard?

Yes. Every standard Long Gladius includes a handmade leather scabbard, for safe carry and storage.

How is it shipped, and how long does delivery take?

We ship from Kathmandu via DHL Express or FedEx International on a Delivered Duty Paid basis, so duties and taxes are handled with nothing to pay on arrival. Typical delivery is 8 to 15 business days from order, including forging and processing. Custom and personalised orders may take longer.

What is your return and warranty policy?

Standard gladii carry a 30-day satisfaction guarantee in unused condition and a 6-month warranty against manufacturing defects. Custom and personalised gladii are forged to your specification and are non-returnable. Full details are on our Warranty and Returns Policy page.

Can I order a custom or fully bespoke gladius?

Yes. Specify any blade length from 14 to 30 inches, a custom handle, a blunt training edge, and personalised engraving — or commission a fully bespoke gladius through our Custom Forge service. We confirm every detail before forging begins.

Specification
Blade:	21 inches Long Blade Made from carbon steel
Total Length:	29 inches long in total
Handle:	8 inches long Full tang Handle
Weight:	850 Grams approximately
Note:	Please note: As each sword is individually hand-forged, slight variations in measurements, weight, and appearance are natural and add to the uniqueness of each piece.