Hand-Forged Knuckle-Guard Short Sword — "Gladiator"

Hand-Forged Knuckle-Guard Short Sword — "Gladiator" with Broad Double-Edged 5160 Blade and Horn Grip

The Gladiator is a hand-forged knuckle-guard short sword, made in Kathmandu, Nepal from 5160 high carbon spring steel and oil-tempered for strength. 30 inches overall: a broad 24-inch double-edged clip-point blade with a 6-inch horn grip and a full enclosed iron knuckle guard for hand protection. Full tang, hand-sharpened, fusing Roman-arena attitude with a protective D-guard hilt. Customise the blade finish, blade length, grip and scabbard colour, with free personalisation and engraving. Worldwide shipping via DHL Express & FedEx International. 30-day satisfaction guarantee. 6-month warranty.

The Gladiator is a bold, hand-built short sword that fuses the broad cut-and-thrust blade of the arena with a modern protective knuckle guard. Where a classical gladius was a bare-hilted stabbing sword, the Gladiator wraps the hand in a full iron knuckle bow — a fighting man's upgrade that turns a compact blade into a confident, secure-gripped sidearm. The broad, double-edged blade with its clipped point is built for authoritative cuts and strong thrusts alike.

This Everest Forge short sword is hand-forged in our Kathmandu workshop from 5160 high carbon spring steel and oil-tempered for the balance of edge retention and resilience a real working blade needs, with a full tang running the depth of the handle. The full enclosed knuckle guard is iron, the grip is shaped from natural horn, and the whole piece is finished with a black leather scabbard — a striking, intimidating sidearm with genuine forging behind it.

An honest note: the Gladiator is an original Everest Forge design — a knuckle-guard short sword inspired by Roman and arena blades rather than a historical reproduction of any specific gladius (which had no knuckle guard). It is a forged live-steel blade — well suited to display, collection, cosplay and reenactment, plus functional cutting — but it is not intended for contact sparring or LARP. Each blade is individually hand-forged, so small natural variations make every one unique.

The Knuckle-Guard Short Sword

The short sword has always been the practical warrior's blade — fast, controllable, and deadly in the press of close combat, where longer weapons lose their advantage. The Gladiator builds on that tradition and adds the one thing the ancient arena blade lacked: a full knuckle guard. The enclosed iron bow wraps the hand, protecting the fingers and locking in the grip during powerful cuts and thrusts, the same protective principle that later defined hangers, cutlasses and military sidearms.

The result is a hybrid with real presence: the broad, clipped-point blade and Roman-arena attitude of a gladiator's weapon, married to a modern, secure D-guard hilt. It sits naturally alongside the rest of our Roman gladius short swords and the broader single-edge and short-sword range.

What Makes This Hand-Forged Knuckle Sword Different

Most knuckle-guard blades on the market are cast or stamped tactical novelties with bolted-on guards and no real forging behind them. The Gladiator is the opposite: a genuinely hand-forged, full-tang short sword in real working steel, with a forged iron knuckle guard and a natural horn grip you will not find on a mass-produced piece.

The blade is hand-forged from 5160 high carbon spring steel — the same battle-grade steel we use across our combat swords — oil-tempered for strength, broad and double-edged with a clipped point for both cutting and thrusting authority. The full enclosed knuckle guard is iron, fitted to the full tang, and the grip is shaped from natural horn. Nothing is cast as a single decorative unit; this is a sidearm built to be handled.

It is offered at the most accessible price in its range for a hand-forged, full-tang knuckle-guard short sword of this quality — and every customisation is included rather than billed as an upcharge on the page. For collectors and enthusiasts who want a real forged knuckle sword rather than a tactical wall-hanger, this is the right tier. Explore more in our Roman gladius collection.

Product Specifications

Customise Your Gladiator Short Sword

Every Gladiator is hand-forged to order in our Kathmandu workshop. Select your options on this page and specify any extra details in the order notes at checkout.

Who This Short Sword Is For

• The collector of bold blades who wants a hand-forged knuckle-guard short sword with real presence rather than a cast tactical novelty.
• The Roman and gladiator enthusiast drawn to a broad arena-style blade with a modern protective twist.
• The cosplayer and reenactor who wants a striking, intimidating short sword for costume, stage or display, with a display edge available on request.
• The fantasy and gaming fan who loves the aggressive look of a knuckle-bow blade for character builds and themed displays.
• The gift giver looking for a one-of-a-kind, personalisable blade with a commanding silhouette.
• The display enthusiast who wants a wall or stand centrepiece — the broad blade and full iron knuckle guard give the Gladiator an unmistakable presence.

The 4-Step Forging Process

What's Included

• Hand-forged Gladiator short sword in your chosen blade finish and length
• Full enclosed iron knuckle guard with a natural horn grip
• Black leather scabbard (or your chosen colour)
• Free personalisation or engraving if requested in your order notes
• Care and maintenance guide with oiling instructions for blade and leather
• Worldwide tracked shipping via DHL Express or FedEx International
• 30-day satisfaction guarantee — not happy, return for refund or rebuild
• 6-month craftsmanship warranty covering forging or fitting defects

Shipping, Returns & Warranty

Processing. Every Gladiator is made to order. Forging and finishing takes 3–5 business days from order confirmation. Custom engraving may add 2–3 days.

Shipping. Worldwide via DHL Express and FedEx International with full tracking. Transit time 5–10 business days depending on country. Total time from order to delivery is typically 8–15 business days. Some countries restrict the import of swords and fixed blades — check local laws before ordering.

Returns. Not satisfied? Return within 30 days for full refund or free re-build to different specifications. We cover return shipping for craftsmanship defects. Custom-engraved and personalised pieces are excepted unless faulty.

Warranty. 6-month craftsmanship warranty against forging defects, fitting separation, or scabbard failure under normal use. Edge damage from misuse, rust from neglect, contact sparring and damage from non-cutting impacts are not covered. Full terms in our FAQ page.

Care & Maintenance

Oil the blade regularly. 5160 carbon steel will surface-rust if neglected. Wipe the blade with mineral oil, gun oil, or food-grade camellia oil after handling and periodically during storage. Pay attention to the inner faces of the knuckle guard, where moisture can collect.

Care for the horn and iron. Keep the horn grip out of prolonged damp and direct sun, and wipe it occasionally with a little mineral oil so it does not dry. Keep the iron knuckle guard dry and lightly oiled; iron can spot or patina over time, and a gentle polish restores the finish.

Care for the leather. Condition the black leather scabbard with leather balm or beeswax every few months to prevent drying and cracking.

Respect the edge. This is a sharpened live blade. Handle, draw and sheathe it with care, keep it away from children, and use it only for its intended display, collection and controlled-cutting purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions