Hand-Forged Renaissance Side Sword — "Wakefield"

Hand-Forged Renaissance Side Sword — "Wakefield" Swept-Hilt Sidearm with Polished 5160 Blade and Horn Grip

The Wakefield is a Renaissance-style side sword, hand-forged in Kathmandu, Nepal from 5160 high carbon leaf spring steel and water-tempered for real performance. 30 inches overall: a 24-inch single-edged, gently curved polished blade with a 6-inch polished horn grip and a swept complex hilt with side-ring for hand protection. Full tang, hand-sharpened, modelled on the English military hangers and side swords of the 15th to 17th centuries. Customise the blade finish, blade length, handle wrap and scabbard colour, with free personalisation and engraving. Worldwide shipping via DHL Express & FedEx International. 30-day satisfaction guarantee. 6-month warranty.

The side sword is the defining sidearm of the Renaissance — the practical, fast, one-handed cut-and-thrust blade that soldiers, officers and townsmen carried at their hip when the longsword gave way to lighter civilian and military weapons. The Wakefield draws on that early-modern tradition, and specifically on the English military hangers of the 15th to 17th centuries: a compact, agile blade with a complex swept hilt and a protective side-ring, built for close-quarters work and quick draw from the belt.

This Everest Forge side sword is hand-forged in our Kathmandu workshop from 5160 high carbon leaf spring steel and water-tempered for resilience, with a full tang running the depth of the handle. The 24-inch blade is single-edged and gently curved, forward-weighted for authoritative cuts and polished to a clean, bright finish. The swept hilt and side-ring shield the hand, and the grip is shaped from polished natural horn — a compact, lively sidearm with genuine historical character.

An honest note: this is an original Everest Forge interpretation of Renaissance-era side swords and English hangers, not a licensed replica of a specific museum piece. It is a forged live-steel blade — well suited to display, collection, historical training, 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 Side Sword in Renaissance Europe

As the Middle Ages gave way to the Renaissance, the heavy knightly sword gradually yielded to lighter, faster sidearms suited to a world of changing warfare and growing civilian carry. The side sword — worn at the side, hence the name — became the everyday blade of soldiers and townsmen alike: light enough to wear all day, quick in the hand, and capable of both cutting and thrusting. Alongside it, the military hanger served as a short, robust sabre carried by infantry, seafarers and officers.

The Wakefield takes its character from the English hangers of this era, the kind of close-combat sidearm used through the English Civil War and similar conflicts. Its complex swept hilt and side-ring reflect a growing concern for hand protection in the cut-and-thrust fencing of the period. It sits naturally alongside the rest of our single-edge swords and the broader historical swords collection.

What Makes This Hand-Forged Side Sword Different

Most affordable "Renaissance swords" on the market are cast stainless display pieces with decorative hilts and no real forging behind them. The Wakefield is the opposite: a genuinely hand-forged, full-tang sidearm in real working steel, with a functional swept hilt and a polished horn grip you will not find on a mass-produced replica.

The blade is hand-forged from 5160 high carbon leaf spring steel — the same battle-grade steel we use across our combat swords — water-tempered for resilience, single-edged and forward-weighted for genuine cutting authority. The swept hilt and side-ring are shaped for real hand protection, and the grip is turned from polished 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 Renaissance side sword of this quality — and every customisation is included rather than billed as an upcharge on the page. For collectors, reenactors and historical-fencing enthusiasts who want a real forged sidearm rather than a wall-hanger, this is the right tier. Explore more in our single-edge swords range.

Product Specifications

Customise Your Wakefield Side Sword

Every Wakefield 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 Side Sword Is For

• The Renaissance reenactor who wants a real forged sidearm with a functional swept hilt for living-history and faire dress, not a cast display piece.
• The historical-fencing enthusiast drawn to the cut-and-thrust side sword and English hanger tradition of the 15th to 17th centuries.
• The collector of period arms who wants a hand-forged, full-tang sidearm with genuine historical character and a polished horn grip.
• The cosplayer who wants a compact, photogenic Renaissance or early-modern sword for costume, stage or display, with a display edge available on request.
• The gift giver marking a milestone for a history or sword enthusiast with a one-of-a-kind, personalisable blade.
• The display enthusiast who wants a wall or stand centrepiece — the swept hilt, side-ring and bright curved blade give the Wakefield a striking silhouette.

The 4-Step Forging Process

What's Included

• Hand-forged Wakefield side sword in your chosen blade finish and length
• Swept complex hilt with side-ring and a polished horn grip (optional leather wrap colour)
• Handmade leather scabbard in 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 Wakefield 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.

Care for the horn and hilt. Keep the polished 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 steel hilt dry and lightly oiled to preserve its finish.

Care for the leather. Condition the 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, training and controlled-cutting purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions