Hand-Forged Maasai Seme Sword – 5160 Leaf Blade

Hand-Forged Maasai Seme Sword – Full-Tang 5160 Leaf-Shaped Blade

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Hand-Forged Maasai Seme Sword – Full-Tang 5160 Leaf-Shaped Blade

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$194.99

Ex Tax: $194.99

Model: African Sword
Product Code: Africansword0013
Location: Kathmandu,Nepal

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Tags: Maasai Seme , Seme Sword , Maasai Sword , African Sword , East African Sword , Leaf-Shaped Sword , 5160 Carbon Steel , Full Tang , Rosewood Handle , Leather Sheath , Custom Seme , Made in Nepal , Everest Forge

Hand-Forged Maasai Seme Sword — Full-Tang 5160 Leaf-Shaped Blade with Rosewood Handle

This is a hand-forged, fully functional Maasai seme sword — a respectful interpretation of the traditional East African sidearm, forged in Nepal from 5160 high-carbon spring steel, full tang, oil-tempered, and sharpened to a true edge. It carries a broad leaf-shaped double-edged blade with a central ridge, a shaped rosewood handle, polished metal fittings, and a black leather sheath. Every sword is made to order in your chosen length, finish, and engraving.

The standard blade is 22 inches on a 7-inch handle, for an overall length around 29 inches and a wide 2-inch blade. The spatulate leaf profile — broadening toward a rounded point — is the seme's signature, and the forged 5160 steel with a full tang makes it a real sword you can handle and display, not a cast wall-hanger.

An honest note. This is a modern, hand-forged homage to the Maasai seme, made by our smiths in Kathmandu — not an original Maasai-made or antique piece. We build it to honour the form and craft of the East African tradition, in our own functional 5160 steel. What we care about is the leaf-shaped blade, the ridge, the balance, and doing the tradition justice.

Bespoke Service

Forge a Seme to Your Own Design

Want a different length, blade profile, handle, or engraving — or your own original design? Our Custom Forge service builds blades to your spec, by hand in Kathmandu.

Request a Custom Forge →

What Is a Maasai Seme Sword?

The seme — also called simi, sime, ol alem, or njora — is the traditional short sword of the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania, and of neighbouring East African groups such as the Kikuyu and Samburu. It is defined by a light, double-edged, leaf-shaped blade that broadens toward a rounded point, often with a central ridge running part-way down its length. Traditionally forged from spring steel, the seme served as an everyday tool for clearing brush, herding, and camp work, and held deep cultural meaning as a mark of manhood. This one is a modern hand-forged interpretation in 5160 spring steel, with a leaf-shaped blade and a rosewood handle.

Real Forged BladeHand-forged 5160 spring steel, full tang, oil-tempered and sharpened.

Leaf-Shaped BladeBroad, double-edged spatulate blade with a central ridge.

Rosewood HandleShaped rosewood grip with polished metal fittings.

5160 Spring SteelTruck leaf-spring steel — tough, shock-resistant, holds an edge.

Full TangBlade runs the length of the handle — no rat-tail, no weak point.

Made To OrderYour length, finish, and engraving — built to spec.

The Seme in Maasai Tradition

Among the Maasai, the seme is far more than a blade. It was the constant sidearm of the Maasai man, traditionally given to a young man when he passed into moran — warrior — status in his rite of passage, marking his new responsibilities. Carried through daily life, initiations, and ceremonies, it stood as a symbol of bravery, status, and manhood. Traditional sheaths were made of wood covered in rawhide and dyed red, a colour that carries strong cultural meaning for the Maasai. We build our version to honour that heritage while making it in our own functional style.

Specifications

TypeHand-forged Maasai seme sword (interpretation)

Blade Length22 inches standard (custom lengths to order)

Handle Length7 inches

Overall LengthApprox 29 inches at standard blade size

Blade WidthApprox 2 inches

WeightApprox 1.15 kg with sheath, 0.830 kg blade only

Blade Steel5160 high-carbon spring steel (truck leaf spring)

Heat TreatmentOil-tempered — hard edge, flexible spine

Blade StyleLeaf-shaped, double-edged, central ridge, polished, sharpened

TangFull tang

Handle & FittingsRosewood handle, polished metal fittings

SheathBlack leather sheath, included

OriginHand-forged in Tokha-3, Kathmandu, Nepal

Customize Your Seme

Every sword is forged to order. Set your options before you add to cart:

Blade LengthStandard 22 inches, or order a shorter or longer blade to your spec.

Blade FinishingPolished as standard, or satin or mirror-polished.

EdgeSharpened to a true cutting edge, or left display-blunt on request.

PersonalizationAdd a name, initials, or a short message to the blade.

Logo & Photo EngravingUpload your own design for custom engraving.

Fully BespokeA different profile, handle, or sheath through Custom Forge.

Configure This Sword →

Hand-Forged, Not a Wall-Hanger

This Seme

Hand-forged 5160 high-carbon spring steel
Oil-tempered, hard edge and flexible spine
Full tang through the handle
Broad leaf-shaped double-edged blade with a central ridge
Sharpened, balanced, made to your spec

A Wall-Hanger

Cast stainless, brittle under load
No real heat treatment
Rat-tail tang that snaps
Flat, lifeless blade
Blunt, display-only

How It Is Made

You set the spec — length, finish, edge, and any engraving you want on the blade.

A smith draws the broad leaf-shaped blade from a 5160 leaf-spring billet and grinds the central ridge.

The blade is heat-treated and oil-tempered, then polished and hand-sharpened to a true edge.

We shape the rosewood handle, fit the polished mounts, pair the leather sheath, and ship worldwide tracked.

Who It Is For

Collectors of African and ethnographic arms who want a real hand-forged seme
Admirers of Maasai culture and East African tradition
Reenactors and living-history hobbyists after a functional leaf-bladed sword
Cutting and test-cutting practitioners who want a broad, balanced blade
Themed and cultural display and decor
Gift buyers personalizing a blade with a name or engraving

What Is Included

One hand-forged Maasai seme sword, built to your chosen spec
Black leather sheath
Rosewood handle with polished metal fittings
Any personalization or engraving you ordered
A polished, sharpened edge
Everest Forge manufacturer warranty

Explore More African & Hand-Forged Blades

Custom ForgeBuild a fully bespoke blade →

African SwordsBrowse the African collection →

Swords by CultureBrowse by tradition →

Roman PugioThe leaf-shaped dagger →

Kukri & KhukuriThe Nepali blade →

Custom EngravingPersonalize your blade →

Shipping, Returns & Care

Shipping

In-stock specs dispatch within 2 to 3 business days; fully custom builds take roughly 4 to 6 weeks to forge before dispatch. We ship worldwide by DHL or FedEx in 7 to 14 business days, tracked. Import and blade laws vary by country, so please check your local rules before ordering.

Returns & Warranty

Every blade is backed by the Everest Forge warranty against forging and material defects. If something is wrong with your order, we will repair, replace, or refund it. Personalized and custom-engraved blades are made to order, so please confirm your spec carefully before purchase.

Care

Wipe the blade clean and dry after handling, and apply a light coat of oil before storage to protect the high-carbon steel from moisture. Keep the rosewood handle and leather sheath away from prolonged damp. With basic care, a 5160 blade will outlast its owner.

From The Forge

Build a Seme That Is Yours Alone

Beyond the options here, our Custom Forge service shapes a blade to your own length, profile, handle, and engraving — direct from the maker in Kathmandu, roughly 4 to 6 weeks from order.

Start a Custom Forge →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Maasai seme sword?

The seme — also called simi, sime, ol alem, or njora — is the traditional short sword of the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania, and of neighbouring East African groups. It has a light, double-edged, leaf-shaped blade that broadens toward a rounded point, often with a central ridge. It was the constant sidearm of the Maasai man. This one is a modern, hand-forged interpretation in 5160 spring steel.

Is this an authentic antique Maasai seme?

No. This is a modern, hand-forged homage made by our smiths in Kathmandu, Nepal — not an original Maasai-made or antique piece. We build it to honour the traditional form and craft in our own functional 5160 steel, so you get a new, sound, made-to-order sword rather than a fragile antique.

What steel is it, and is it oil-tempered?

The blade is forged from 5160 high-carbon spring steel, the same alloy used in heavy-duty truck leaf springs, prized for toughness and edge retention. It is oil-tempered for a hard edge backed by a flexible, shock-absorbent spine. Traditional semes were also made from spring steel, so the material stays true to the tradition.

Is it full tang?

Yes. The tang runs the full length of the handle, so there is no rat-tail or glued-in tang to fail. Full-tang construction is what makes the sword strong enough to handle rather than just display.

Why is the blade leaf-shaped?

The broad, double-edged leaf shape that widens toward a rounded point is the seme's defining feature. It concentrates weight toward the front for effective cutting while keeping the sword light in the hand, often with a central ridge to stiffen the blade. On this sword the leaf profile is drawn and ground by hand.

What was the seme traditionally used for?

The seme was an everyday sidearm and tool. Traditionally it was used for tasks such as clearing brush, herding and camp work, and it carried deep cultural meaning — given to a young Maasai man when he became a moran, or warrior, as a mark of manhood and status.

Can I change the blade length?

Yes. The standard blade is 22 inches, and you can order it shorter or longer to your spec. You can also choose the blade finish, the edge, and add engraving. Every sword is forged to the spec you select, so the size is yours to set.

What is the handle made of?

The handle is shaped rosewood fitted over a full tang, with polished metal fittings. Each grip is shaped and fitted by hand for a secure hold.

Does it come with a sheath?

Yes. Every sword ships with a black leather sheath to protect the blade for storage and display. Traditional Maasai sheaths were wood covered in rawhide and dyed red; ours is made in black leather in our own style. It is made by hand to fit the blade size you order.

Can I add a name or engraving?

Yes. You can add a name, initials, or a short message to the blade, and you can upload your own logo or photo for custom engraving. Personalized blades are forged to order, so please confirm the details before you buy.

Do you ship worldwide, and how long does it take?

Yes. We ship worldwide from Nepal by DHL or FedEx in 7 to 14 business days with tracking. In-stock specs dispatch within 2 to 3 business days; fully custom builds take roughly 4 to 6 weeks to forge first. Import and blade laws vary by country, so please check your local rules before ordering.

Can I order a fully bespoke version?

Yes. Beyond the options on this page, our Custom Forge service builds blades to your own drawing or specification, including the profile, handle, and sheath. Use the Custom Forge page to send your idea and we will quote it. Lead time is typically 4 to 6 weeks.

Specification
Blade:	22 inches Hand forged Blade made from Carbon steel (5160)
Total Length:	28 inches long in total
Handle:	6 inches full tang Handle made from Rosewood
Weight:	950 Grams Arppoxmatly
Note:	All dimensions and weights are approximate due to the handmade nature of the product.