What Is a Degen?
A Degen is a European thrusting blade whose name is simply the German word for "sword". In practice the term covers a whole family of straight, narrow, point-oriented blades carried by officers, nobles and gentlemen from the late medieval period into the early-modern age — running from a compact 12-inch belt dagger up to a full 24-inch side-sword. At Everest Forge we hand-forge the whole Degen range, and this is the guide we wish every collector could read first: what a Degen actually is, where the name comes from, how it differs from a rapier or a baselard, and which size is right for you.
The Everest Forge Degen range — from belt dagger to full side-sword.
The short version: "Degen" is German for sword, so a Degen is less a single weapon than a category of slender, thrust-first European blades. What unites them is the form — a straight, narrow blade built around the point, usually with a curved or shaped guard and a wood grip — rather than one fixed length. That is why you will see the word attached to everything from a small side-dagger to an officer's sword.
Degen Meaning and Name
The word Degen entered German from the older sense of a "warrior" or "young noble", and by the Renaissance it had settled onto the blade such men carried — the sword. In modern German it is still the everyday word for a thrusting sword, and in fencing a Degen is the epee. Because the term is so broad, gunmakers and bladesmiths historically used it for both the long Degen sword and the shorter Degen dagger, which is exactly why the family spans such a range of lengths.
A Quick History of the Degen
The Degen belongs to the Swiss and German tradition of straight, thrust-oriented side-blades. Its roots run back through the late-medieval sidearms of Central Europe — the same world that produced the baselard — and by the 16th and 17th centuries the Degen had become the side-sword of officers and gentlemen, a mark of rank as much as a weapon.
Where the baselard is defined by its flat-barred H-hilt, the Degen took a different path: a curved guard and a shaped wood grip, a narrower and more thrust-focused blade, and a lighter feel in the hand. As dress swords and military side-arms evolved, the Degen sat alongside the rapier and the smallsword as one of the defining European thrusting blades.
How a Degen Is Forged
The blade. A Degen blade is straight, narrow and built around the point, with a diamond cross-section that keeps it stiff for the thrust while holding two true edges. Across the range the same profile scales from dagger to sword.
The steel. We forge ours from reclaimed 5160 high carbon spring steel — recycled truck leaf-spring stock — oil-quenched, tempered, and full-tang. It is a modern, tough, functional steel built to be handled, not a stainless display blade.
The hilt. A curved or shaped guard and a wood grip are fitted over a full tang that runs the length of the handle and is peened at the pommel, so blade and grip are one continuous piece of steel.
Every Degen is forged by hand, from first heat to final edge.
If you have a specific blade length, hilt style, or museum piece in mind, our smiths can forge it to your exact specification — blade profile, fittings, handle material and engraving. Send us your idea and we will quote it.
Request a Custom Forge → Ask a Question →Anatomy of a Degen
The blade. Straight, narrow and double-edged, with a diamond section and a long taper to a reinforced point — a blade made first for thrusting, with a cutting edge as well.
The anatomy of a Degen — curved guard, wood grip and a thrust-first blade.
The guard. Unlike the baselard's flat bar, the Degen carries a curved or shaped guard that sweeps to protect the hand — the feature that most quickly tells a Degen apart from its H-hilted cousin.
The grip and pommel. A shaped wood grip with a capped pommel sits over the full tang. On finer pieces the guard and pommel became a place for decoration and a sign of the owner's standing.
Types of Degen — The Everest Forge Range by Size
Because "Degen" is a family rather than a single blade, the right one for you is mostly a question of length and role — from a full side-sword down to a compact belt dagger. Here is the range at a glance, then each piece in our Degen Medieval Swords collection.
| Degen | Blade | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss/German Degen Sword | 24 in | The full side-sword — most reach and presence |
| German Degen Sword | officer's sword | The refined 17th-century officer's blade |
| Degen Short Sword-Dagger | 17 in (14-22) | The sword-dagger crossover, between dagger and sword |
| Degen Medieval Dagger | 15 in (14-18) | The long belt dagger |
| Degen Dagger | 12 in (10-18) | The classic compact Degen dagger |
| Swiss/German Degen Dagger | 12 in (10-18) | The Swiss and German dagger with a whitewood grip |
The Swiss/German Degen Sword
The full side-sword of the family — a straight, narrow 24-inch blade in the dual Swiss and German tradition, the most commanding piece in the range.
The Swiss/German Degen Sword — the full 24-inch side-sword.
The German Degen Sword
A refined tribute to the 17th-century German officer's sword — slender, balanced and built around the point, the dress side-arm of rank.
The German Degen — the 17th-century officer's sword.
The Degen Short Sword-Dagger
The crossover blade — a broad 17-inch Degen that sits squarely between dagger and sword, longer and more commanding than a dagger but quicker than a full sword. Customisable from 14 to 22 inches.
The Degen Short Sword-Dagger — the 17-inch crossover.
The Degen Medieval Dagger
The long Degen dagger — a 15-inch blade that is the longest of the Degen daggers, with more reach than a compact dagger while staying belt-wearable. Customisable from 14 to 18 inches.
The Degen Medieval Dagger — the long 15-inch dagger.
The Degen Dagger
The classic compact Degen dagger — a broad, double-edged 12-inch blade, the carry-size piece most people picture as a Degen dagger. Customisable from 10 to 18 inches.
The Degen Dagger — the classic 12-inch compact dagger.
The Swiss/German Degen Dagger
The Swiss and German dagger form, a compact 12-inch blade fitted with a whitewood grip — the companion piece to the Degen Dagger. Customisable from 10 to 18 inches.
The Swiss/German Degen Dagger — the whitewood-gripped companion.
Degen vs Baselard vs Rapier — Clearing Up the Confusion
Three European thrusting blades get tangled together constantly. Here is the honest distinction.
The Degen is the broad German term for a sword, and in practice a straight, narrow, thrust-oriented blade with a curved or shaped guard and a wood grip. It scales from dagger to side-sword and is the family covered in this guide.
The Baselard is older and easy to tell apart: it has the flat-barred H-hilt — a straight bar guard and bar pommel — and a 13th-to-16th-century Swiss and German heritage. If the hilt reads as a capital H, it is a baselard, not a Degen. See our full Baselard guide.
The rapier is longer, lighter and far more elaborate in the hilt — swept bars, rings and cup guards — and is a dedicated civilian duelling sword of the 16th and 17th centuries. A Degen is shorter, plainer in the guard, and more of a practical side-arm. So the quick rule: flat H-bars = baselard, long swept hilt = rapier, curved guard and wood grip = Degen.
Choosing and Owning a Degen Today
A hand-forged Degen is one of the most rewarding pieces a collector of European arms can own — provided you buy a real one. The market splits into two very different products.
Decorative wall-hangers: stamped or cast stainless steel, hollow or rat-tail tangs, no real edge. They photograph well and fail at everything else.
Hand-forged functional Degens: real 5160 spring steel, full-tang, oil-tempered, sharpened, and customisable. Built to be drawn, handled, displayed with pride, and — if you wish — used for cutting practice. Every Degen in our range is the second kind, forged to order in Kathmandu, with a choice of blade length, handle material and scabbard colour, and free engraving.
Beyond the collection cabinet, Degens are popular for Renaissance and early-modern reenactment, living history, HEMA and historical-fencing practice (a blunt training edge is available on request), stage and film work, and wall display. Choosing one mostly comes down to length: a side-sword for presence, a 17-inch crossover for versatility, or a 12-to-15-inch dagger for a wearable belt-blade.
Browse the full hand-forged Degen range, or commission a bespoke piece built to your own specification. Worldwide tracked shipping, duties and taxes prepaid.
Browse the Collection → Request a Custom Forge →Caring for Your Degen
Clean and oil the blade. Wipe the blade with a soft, dry cloth after handling, and apply a thin film of mineral or blade oil to protect the high-carbon steel from moisture. A whetstone keeps the edge true, or a professional can re-sharpen it for you.
Look after the handle. Wooden grips benefit from occasional polishing; keep horn and bone away from high heat; condition any leather gently. Each material rewards a little care.
Display and store it well. Mount it securely and keep it out of direct sunlight, which can fade wood and leather. For long-term storage, keep the blade out of the scabbard in dry conditions, since trapped humidity can mark a carbon blade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Degen?
A Degen is a European thrusting blade — the word is simply German for "sword". In practice it covers a family of straight, narrow, point-oriented blades with a curved guard and a wood grip, running from a compact 12-inch dagger up to a 24-inch side-sword.
What does "Degen" mean?
Degen is the German word for a thrusting sword. It comes from an older sense of "warrior" or "young noble" and settled onto the blade such men carried. In modern fencing, a Degen is the epee.
Is a Degen a sword or a dagger?
Both, depending on length. Because "Degen" simply means sword, the term is used across the family — from a 12-inch Degen dagger, through a 17-inch sword-dagger crossover, up to a 24-inch Degen side-sword.
What is the difference between a Degen and a baselard?
A baselard has the flat-barred H-hilt — a straight bar guard and bar pommel — and dates from the 13th to 16th centuries. A Degen has a curved or shaped guard and a wood grip, and is the later, broader German term for a thrusting blade. If the hilt reads as a capital H, it is a baselard.
What is the difference between a Degen and a rapier?
A rapier is longer and lighter, with an elaborate swept or cup hilt, and is a dedicated civilian duelling sword. A Degen is shorter, plainer in the guard, and more of a practical side-arm. Long swept hilt means rapier; curved guard and wood grip means Degen.
How long is a Degen?
It varies by type. Our range runs from a 12-inch Degen dagger up to a 24-inch Degen sword, with a 15-inch long dagger and a 17-inch sword-dagger crossover in between, and each is customisable.
What steel are your Degens made from?
We forge from reclaimed 5160 high carbon spring steel — recycled truck leaf-spring stock — oil-quenched, tempered, and full-tang. It is a modern, tough, functional steel built to be handled, not a stainless display blade.
Are your Degens sharp, or can I get one blunt?
The standard edge is sharpened. A blunt training edge is available on request for HEMA sparring, stage rehearsal, or where a blunt blade is preferred — just note it on your order before forging.
Which Degen should I choose?
It comes down to length and role: a 24-inch side-sword for reach and presence, the 17-inch sword-dagger for versatility, or a 12-to-15-inch dagger for a wearable belt-blade. The by-size table above lays out the whole range.
Can I order a custom Degen?
Yes. Through our Custom Forge service you can specify blade length, finish, handle material, scabbard colour and engraving, or commission a fully bespoke Degen from your own reference. We confirm every detail before forging begins.
How should I care for a Degen?
Keep the blade clean and lightly oiled, sharpen it when needed, condition the handle material, and store it out of the scabbard away from humidity, heat and direct sunlight. With simple maintenance a hand-forged Degen lasts for generations.
