German Degen Sword – 17th-Century Blade

German Degen Sword – Hand-Forged Medieval Sword

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German Degen Sword – Hand-Forged Medieval Sword

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$224.99

Ex Tax: $224.99

Model: Degen Sword
Product Code: GERMANDEGEN0024
Location: Kathmandu,Nepal

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German Degen — A Hand-Forged 17th-Century Officer's Sword

The German Degen from Everest Forge pays tribute to the refined blades carried by European officers and aristocrats in the 17th century. The word Degen is German for "sword" — a slim, thrust-oriented blade that evolved from the rapier and the small-sword, built for speed and finesse rather than brute force. Where broader medieval blades are made to cut, the German Degen is made to reach and to point.

Each blade is hand forged in Kathmandu, Nepal from 5160 high carbon spring steel, oil-tempered to working hardness, with a full tang. It is fitted with a rosewood grip and a disc guard, and comes with a leather-covered wooden scabbard finished with a brass chape. This is a piece for historical collection, living-history reenactment, HEMA practice, and controlled cutting where permitted by local law. The standard blade is 24 inches, and other lengths can be specified before forging.

An honest note. This is a hand-forged collector and reenactment sword, an original Everest Forge piece inspired by the historical German Degen. We describe how the Degen was used historically — the thrust-oriented officer's blade of the 17th century, descended from the rapier — because that history is what the design expresses. We do not sell our blades as weapons. Because every Degen is forged individually, small variations in wood grain, weight, finish, and leatherwork are natural marks of handwork, not flaws.

Everest Forge — Hand-Forged in Nepal

Make This German Degen Yours

Choose your blade length, finish, handle material, and scabbard colour — or commission a fully bespoke German Degen to your own reference. Personalised engraving is included.

Customise This Degen → Commission a Bespoke Degen →

The German Degen — A Brief History

By the 17th century the Degen had become the sidearm of the German officer and the aristocrat — a slim, agile blade descended from the rapier and the small-sword. The word Degen simply means "sword" in German, but it came to name this lighter, thrust-oriented form, favoured in military and dueling circles for its speed and precision rather than the cutting weight of a broader medieval blade.

This pure-German pattern is the later, more refined branch of the Degen family. Where the earlier Swiss and German Degen of the 15th and 16th centuries was a broader transitional side-sword, the 17th-century German Degen is leaner and quicker — the form that points directly toward the classical small-sword and the modern fencing blade.

Why This German Degen Stands Apart

True 17th-century officer's pattern

The slim, refined German Degen of the 17th century — the officer's and aristocrat's thrusting blade, descended from the rapier.

Thrust-first blade geometry

A narrow, agile profile built for speed and a precise point — the form that leads directly to the small-sword and the fencing blade.

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 — not a stainless display blade.

Full-tang construction

The tang runs the length of the grip for structural integrity — the foundation of a sword built to be handled, not just displayed.

Rosewood grip and brass-chaped scabbard

A shaped rosewood handle with a disc guard, paired with a leather-covered wooden scabbard finished with a brass chape.

Hand-forged in Nepal

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

Specifications

Pattern

German Degen — 17th-century officer's thrusting blade

Blade length

24 inches (standard) — 20 to 30 inches available

Handle length

6.5 inches

Overall length

30.5 inches (standard)

Blade weight

Approx. 0.95 kg (950 g)

Steel

5160 high carbon spring steel

Heat treatment

Oil-tempered to working hardness

Tang

Full tang

Handle

Rosewood with disc guard (standard) — white-wood and horn available

Scabbard

Leather-covered wooden scabbard with brass chape, included — choice of colour

Edge

Sharpened working edge — blunt training edge available on request

Customise Your German Degen

Most details on this Degen 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.

Blade Length

Standard 24-inch blade, or choose 20, 22, 26, 28, or 30 inches — forged to your dimension before the blade is made.

Blade Finishing

Satin as standard, or choose a Polished / Mirror finish, a Raw / Forge finish, or a Blacked / Coated blade to suit display or handling.

Handle Material

Rosewood as standard. White-wood (Sadhan) and buffalo horn are available to suit display or handling preference.

Scabbard Colour

The leather-covered wooden scabbard comes in black, brown, yellow, red, green, or blue leather.

Personalisation

Add a name, initials, or a short message engraved on the blade or handle — included with your order.

Custom Logo & Photo Engraving

Upload your own logo, crest, or photo to have it engraved on the blade for a one-of-a-kind piece.

Build My German Degen →

Hand-Forged, Not a Wall-Hanger

An Everest Forge German Degen

5160 high carbon spring steel
Oil-tempered to working hardness
Full-tang construction
Forged and shaped by hand
Stands up to controlled cutting practice and reenactment use

A typical decorative wall-hanger

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 Degen Collection

Swiss/German Degen Sword

The earlier 15th-to-16th-century dual-origin pattern.

Short Degen Sword-Dagger

A compact 17-inch Degen, fast in hand and easy to carry or display.

Baselard Short Sword

The Swiss H-hilted sidearm — the sword-and-dagger crossover.

Degen Medieval Dagger

A 15-inch Renaissance Degen dagger and status sidearm.

All Degen Medieval Swords

Browse the full Swiss and German Degen range by length and pattern.

Who This German Degen Is For

European arms collectors — buyers who want the refined 17th-century German Degen to anchor a Renaissance or military history collection, forged from the historical pattern.
Reenactors and living history — 17th-century German portrayals that need period-correct officer's Degen geometry in real, hand-forged steel.
HEMA and fencing students — those studying rapier and thrust-oriented sword work with a real-weight blade. A blunt training version is available on request.
Cutting-practice users — buyers who work tatami, bottles, and bamboo and want a fast, point-first blade.
Gift buyers — a serious, lasting gift for a history enthusiast, with optional engraving for names, dates, or a crest.
Film, theatre, and production — full-weight authentic steel for historical 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 slim, thrust-oriented German Degen blade with its tapering point.

Heat treatment

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

Finishing and fitting

The rosewood grip and disc guard are shaped and fitted, the chosen finish is brought up, and the brass-chaped leather scabbard is finished to match.

What Is Included

One hand-forged German Degen in 5160 spring steel
Leather-covered wooden scabbard with brass chape, in your chosen colour
Personalised engraving where requested
Care guidance for the blade, handle, and leather

Shipping, Returns, and Warranty

Every Degen 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 Degens 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 Degen

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 rosewood grip away from prolonged damp or direct heat.

Everest Forge — Hand-Forged German Degen

Order Your German Degen

Choose your length, finish, handle, and scabbard — or commission a fully bespoke German Degen. Every blade is forged in 5160 spring steel and shipped worldwide with tracking, duties paid.

Customise This Degen → Ask a Question →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Degen" mean, and what is a German Degen?

Degen is the German word for "sword." The German Degen is the slim, thrust-oriented officer's blade of the 17th century, descended from the rapier and the small-sword. It was favoured in military and dueling circles for its speed and precision rather than the cutting weight of a broader medieval blade, and it is a direct ancestor of the classical small-sword and the modern fencing blade.

How is the German Degen different from the Swiss/German Degen?

The German Degen is the later, more refined 17th-century officer's pattern — leaner and quicker, descended from the rapier. The Swiss/German Degen is the earlier 15th-to-16th-century dual-origin form, a broader transitional side-sword. Both are 24-inch hand-forged blades made to the same standard.

What are the dimensions of this Degen?

The standard piece measures 30.5 inches overall, with a 24-inch blade and a 6.5-inch handle, and the blade weighs approximately 0.95 kg. The length is a choice — you can specify 20, 22, 26, 28, or 30 inches before forging.

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.

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

The standard edge is a sharpened working edge. A blunt training edge is available on request for HEMA sparring, stage rehearsal, or where a blunt blade is preferred — just note it in your order or contact us before forging.

Can I choose a different length or handle material?

Yes. The standard 24-inch blade can be made at 20, 22, 26, 28, or 30 inches. Rosewood is the standard handle; white-wood (Sadhan) and buffalo horn are available. Choose your options on this page when ordering.

Can I personalise or engrave the Degen?

Yes. Add a name, initials, or a short message, or upload your own logo, crest, or photo for custom engraving on the blade. Personalised engraving is included with your order. See our Personalized Blades page.

Does it come with a scabbard, and what colours are available?

Yes. Every German Degen includes a leather-covered wooden scabbard finished with a brass chape, for safe carry and storage. You can choose black, brown, yellow, red, green, or blue leather.

What is the German Degen good for?

The slim, thrust-oriented blade is fast and point-first, which is why it became the ancestor of the small-sword and the fencing blade. For collectors and reenactors it gives the authentic 17th-century officer's presence; for cutting practice it moves quickly and rewards good footwork.

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 Degens carry a 30-day satisfaction guarantee in unused condition and a 6-month warranty against manufacturing defects. Custom and personalised Degens 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 German Degen?

Yes. Specify your blade length, finish, handle, and scabbard colour with the options on this page, or commission a fully bespoke German Degen from your own reference through our Custom Forge service. We confirm every detail before forging begins.

Specification
Blade:	24 inches Long Blade forged from 5160 leaf spring
Total Length:	30.5 inches long in total
Handle:	6.5 inches Long Full tang Handle made from Rosewood
Weight:	950 Grams sword only
Note:	All measurements are approximate and may vary slightly due to the handcrafted nature of the product.

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