Swiss/German Degen Sword – Medieval Blade

Swiss/German Degen Sword – Hand-Forged Medieval Blade

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Swiss/German Degen Sword – Hand-Forged Medieval Blade

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$214.99

Ex Tax: $214.99

Model: Degen Sword
Product Code: SWISSDEGEN0024
Location: Kathmandu,Nepal

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Swiss/German Degen — A Hand-Forged Medieval Thrusting Sword

The Swiss/German Degen from Everest Forge follows the slender, thrust-oriented pattern carried by Swiss and German infantry and noblemen across the 15th and 16th centuries. The word Degen is German for "sword," and this is the dual-origin form that bridged the Swiss Baselard tradition and the longer German blade — light in the hand, fast through the point, and the ancestor of the small-sword and the fencing blade.

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 comes with a leather-covered wooden scabbard. 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 Swiss and German Degen. We describe how the Degen was used historically — the thrust-oriented side-sword of the late medieval and Renaissance period — 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 Swiss/German Degen Yours

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

Customise This Degen → Commission a Bespoke Degen →

The Swiss/German Degen — A Brief History

Across the late medieval and Renaissance period, the Degen was the slender side-sword of Central Europe — carried by Swiss and German infantry and noblemen from the 15th to the 16th centuries. Where a Viking or arming sword is built to cut, the Degen is built to thrust: a narrow, tapering blade with a fast, defined point, favoured for close-quarters fighting and for the duel.

This Swiss/German pattern is a transitional form, sitting between the broad Swiss Baselard and the longer, slimmer German officer's blade that followed in the 17th century. It is the design that would eventually lead to the small-sword and the modern fencing blade — light, quick, and point-first.

Why This Swiss/German Degen Stands Apart

True Swiss/German Degen pattern

The slender, thrust-oriented dual-origin blade of the 15th-to-16th-century Degen, bridging the Swiss Baselard and the German tradition.

Thrust-first blade geometry

A narrow, tapering profile with a fast point — the geometry that made the Degen the ancestor of 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 leather scabbard

A shaped rosewood handle paired with a leather-covered wooden scabbard, included for safe carry and storage.

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

Swiss/German Degen — slender thrust-oriented 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 (standard) — white-wood and horn available

Scabbard

Leather-covered wooden scabbard, included — choice of colour

Edge

Sharpened working edge — blunt training edge available on request

Customise Your Swiss/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 Degen →

Hand-Forged, Not a Wall-Hanger

An Everest Forge Swiss/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

German Degen Sword

The slimmer, refined 17th-century officer's and nobleman's blade.

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 Swiss/German Degen Is For

European arms collectors — buyers who want the dual-origin 15th-to-16th-century Degen to anchor a medieval or Renaissance collection, forged from the historical pattern.
Reenactors and living history — Swiss and German late-medieval portrayals that need period-correct Degen geometry in real, hand-forged steel.
HEMA and fencing students — those studying 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 slender, thrust-oriented 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 is shaped and fitted, the chosen finish is brought up, and the leather-covered wooden scabbard is finished to match.

What Is Included

One hand-forged Swiss/German Degen in 5160 spring steel
Leather-covered wooden scabbard 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 Swiss/German Degen

Order Your Swiss/German Degen

Choose your length, finish, handle, and scabbard — or commission a fully bespoke 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 is a Swiss/German Degen?

The Degen is the slender, thrust-oriented side-sword carried by Swiss and German infantry and noblemen from the 15th to 16th centuries. The word Degen is German for "sword." This Swiss/German pattern is the dual-origin form that bridged the Swiss Baselard tradition and the longer German blade, and it is an ancestor of the small-sword and the modern fencing blade.

How is it different from the German Degen Sword?

This Swiss/German Degen follows the earlier 15th-to-16th-century dual-origin pattern, bridging the Swiss and German traditions. The German Degen Sword is the slimmer, refined 17th-century officer's style. 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 Degen includes a leather-covered wooden scabbard for safe carry and storage. You can choose black, brown, yellow, red, green, or blue leather.

What is the Degen blade profile good for?

The slender, 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 late-medieval Degen 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 Degen?

Yes. Specify your blade length, finish, handle, and scabbard colour with the options on this page, or commission a fully bespoke 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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