- Model: Degen Dagger
- Product Code: SWISSGERMANDAG0012
- Location: Kathmandu,Nepal
Available Options
Swiss/German Degen Dagger — A Hand-Forged 15th-16th Century Blade
The Swiss/German Degen Dagger from Everest Forge is a compact, hand-forged blade inspired by the refined side-daggers of 15th-to-16th-century Swiss and German nobility and infantry. The word Degen is German for "sword," and this is its dagger form — fast, point-first, and elegant, marked by a distinctive down-curved guard and a whitewood grip.
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 whitewood handle and comes with a leather-covered wooden scabbard finished with engraved metal mounts. This is a piece for historical collection, living-history reenactment, and historical fencing practice. The standard blade is 12 inches, and other lengths can be specified before forging.
The Swiss/German Degen Dagger — A Brief History
In the 15th and 16th centuries the Degen was the slender side-sword of Central Europe, and the Swiss and German nobility and infantry carried daggers in the same style — compact, elegant companion blades worn alongside the longer sword. Prized for balance, speed, and refinement, the Degen dagger was a mark of standing as much as a working sidearm.
This piece follows that Swiss and German tradition: a down-curved guard, a clean point-first blade, and a whitewood grip. It is the carry-size companion to the full Swiss/German Degen sword — the same lineage and era in a dagger.
Why This Swiss/German Degen Dagger Stands Apart
True Swiss/German 15th-16th century pattern
A refined side-dagger inspired by the Swiss and German Degen of the late medieval and Renaissance courts and ranks.
Distinctive down-curved guard
The drooping cross-guard and clean, point-first blade give this dagger its unmistakable Swiss/German Degen character.
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 strength and reliability — a dagger built to be handled, not just displayed.
Whitewood grip and engraved scabbard
A lightweight, well-balanced whitewood handle paired with a leather-covered wooden scabbard finished with engraved metal mounts.
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
Customise Your Swiss/German Degen Dagger
Most details on this dagger 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 12-inch blade, or choose 10, 14, 16, or 18 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
Whitewood as standard. Rosewood, buffalo horn, rosewood-and-white-wood or rosewood-and-horn spacer combinations, and full leather grips are available.
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.
Hand-Forged, Not a Wall-Hanger
An Everest Forge Swiss/German Degen Dagger
- 5160 high carbon spring steel
- Oil-tempered to working hardness
- Full-tang construction
- Forged and shaped by hand
- An authentic Swiss/German Degen profile with a fitted scabbard
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 full 24-inch sword companion in the same 15th-16th-c. lineage.
Degen Dagger
The broad, double-edged European Degen dagger.
Swiss Baselard Dagger
The Swiss H-hilted Baselard in dagger form.
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 Swiss/German Degen Dagger Is For
- European arms collectors — buyers who want an authentic Swiss/German Degen dagger of the 15th-16th centuries to anchor a Renaissance or medieval collection.
- Reenactors and living history — Swiss and German late-medieval and Renaissance portrayals that need a period-correct side-dagger in real, hand-forged steel.
- HEMA and historical fencing students — those studying dagger and companion-blade work with a real-weight piece. A blunt training version is available on request.
- Cutting-practice users — buyers who want a fast, point-first blade for controlled practice.
- Gift buyers — a striking, 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 compact, point-first Swiss/German Degen blade with its down-curved guard.
Heat treatment
The blade is hardened and oil-tempered to a working hardness, balancing a durable edge against a resilient spine.
Finishing and fitting
The whitewood grip is shaped and fitted, the edge is brought up, and the leather-covered wooden scabbard with its engraved metal mounts is finished to match.
What Is Included
- One hand-forged Swiss/German Degen dagger in 5160 spring steel
- Leather-covered wooden scabbard with metal mounts, in your chosen colour
- Personalised engraving where requested
- Care guidance for the blade, handle, and leather
Shipping, Returns, and Warranty
Every dagger 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 blades; it is the buyer's responsibility to check local law before ordering.
Standard daggers 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 Dagger
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 dagger 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 whitewood grip away from prolonged damp or direct heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Swiss/German Degen dagger, and what does "Degen" mean?
Degen is the German word for "sword." The Degen was the slender side-sword of 15th-to-16th-century Central Europe, and the Swiss and German nobility and infantry carried daggers in the same style — compact, elegant companion blades. This Swiss/German Degen dagger follows that tradition, with a down-curved guard and a whitewood grip.
Is it a Swiss or a German dagger?
Both. The Swiss/German Degen dagger draws on a shared Central European tradition — the refined side-daggers carried across Switzerland and Germany in the 15th and 16th centuries. The pattern and the down-curved guard belong to that combined heritage.
What are the dimensions of this dagger?
The standard piece measures 18 inches overall, with a 12-inch blade and a 6-inch handle, and the blade weighs approximately 530 g. The length is a choice — you can specify 10, 14, 16, or 18 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 blade. 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 before forging.
Can I choose a different length or handle material?
Yes. The standard 12-inch blade can be made at 10, 14, 16, or 18 inches. Whitewood is the standard handle; rosewood, buffalo horn, spacer combinations, and full leather grips are available. Choose your options on this page when ordering.
Can I personalise or engrave the dagger?
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 Swiss/German Degen dagger includes a leather-covered wooden scabbard with metal mounts, for safe carry and storage. You can choose black, brown, yellow, red, green, or blue leather.
How does it compare to the Swiss/German Degen sword?
They are companions from the same 15th-to-16th-century lineage. This is the 12-inch dagger; the Swiss/German Degen Sword is the full 24-inch blade. Many collectors pair the two as a matched sword-and-dagger set.
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 daggers carry a 30-day satisfaction guarantee in unused condition and a 6-month warranty against manufacturing defects. Custom and personalised daggers 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 Swiss/German Degen dagger?
Yes. Specify your blade length, finish, handle, and scabbard colour with the options on this page, or commission a fully bespoke dagger from your own reference through our Custom Forge service. We confirm every detail before forging begins.
| Specification | |
| Blade: | 12 inches Long Blade made from Carbon steel |
| Total Length: | 18 inches long in Total |
| Handle: | 6 inches long Handle Made from Whitewood |
| Weight: | 530 Grams Arppoxmatly |
| Note: | All measurements are approximate and may vary slightly due to the handcrafted nature of the product. |
