The Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger — 17-Inch Ancient Greek Leaf-Blade Sidearm

The Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger — 17-Inch Ancient Greek Leaf-Blade Sidearm | Oil-Tempered Carbon Steel | Customisable 12"–20"

The Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger by Everest Forge is our most historically faithful Xiphos dagger — a 17-inch leaf-blade sidearm forged to the documented proportions of the Greek hoplite's secondary weapon, used across Sparta, Athens, and Macedonia from the 7th to 4th centuries BCE. Hand-forged in Kathmandu, Nepal from oil-tempered high carbon steel, full-tang, and shipped sharpened — this is the Xiphos for serious collectors, classical scholars, museum-quality reenactors, and Greek-history enthusiasts who want a true ancient Greek dagger that feels authentic in the hand.

At 17 inches of blade, 6 inches of handle, 23 inches overall, and 1.050 kg total weight (0.850 kg without scabbard), the Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger is the largest of our three Xiphos daggers — sitting at the upper edge of historically documented sidearm-Xiphos dimensions, bridging the dagger and short-sword categories. The premium oil-tempered carbon steel — a traditional heat treatment used by classical-era blacksmiths — distinguishes this piece from our water-tempered Xiphos range as our most historically authentic forging method. Fully customisable: choose your blade length from 12" to 20", your blade finish (Satin standard, Mirror, or Blacked), your handle material (Rosewood, Whitewood, Horn, or Bone), and your leather scabbard colour from 6 options. Free personalised engraving on every blade and free custom logo or photo upload.

Dimensions & Specifications

The Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger is hand-measured and hand-forged from individual carbon steel billets, oil-quenched and tempered using the same traditional method documented in classical-era blacksmithing. The standard forged blade measures 17 inches — sitting at the upper edge of the historical sidearm-Xiphos range documented in archaeological finds. Every dagger is quality-checked, sharpened, and fitted with its hand-stitched leather scabbard before shipment.

Customise Your Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger

Every Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger we forge is made to order — there is no stock, no warehouse, no mass production. Every dagger is forged for one customer at one specification. The customisation range (12"–20") is intentionally wider than our other Xiphos daggers because this product spans the full historical sidearm-Xiphos size range documented in archaeological finds. All choices are selected through the dropdowns on this page; personalisation text is typed into the order field, and custom logos or photos are uploaded as a file.

Key Features of the Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger

Our most historically faithful Xiphos dagger. At 17 inches blade length — sitting at the upper edge of the documented hoplite-era sidearm-Xiphos range — this is the dagger built for serious collectors and reenactors who want true historical fidelity, not modern reinterpretation. The proportions, the leaf-blade geometry, and the construction methods all match archaeological Xiphos finds from the classical Greek world.

Oil-tempered carbon steel — traditional method. Unlike our other Xiphos blades which use modern water-tempering, the Authentic Hoplite Xiphos is oil-tempered using the same traditional heat-treatment method classical-era Greek bladesmiths used. Oil-tempering produces a slightly different grain structure and edge characteristic — slower quench, more controlled hardness, and a more period-correct forging signature.

Classical leaf-blade geometry. True double-edged Greek Xiphos profile with widened belly tapering to a strong point, optimised for both decisive cuts and deep thrusts — exactly as ancient sources describe and archaeological finds confirm. The leaf-blade form is one of the most efficient cutting geometries in the entire history of edged weapons.

Full-tang construction with 6-inch handle. Solid carbon steel runs through the entire 6-inch handle, riveted through hand-carved rosewood (or your chosen material). No glued tangs, no welded extensions — one piece of steel from tip to pommel, in the historically documented hoplite-dagger grip dimension.

Hand-forged in Kathmandu, Nepal. Forged by hand on traditional anvils by master blacksmiths using oil-quench methodology. See the full forging process on The Making page. Meet our team on Meet the Maker.

Traditional wooden-core leather scabbard included. Wooden core wrapped in hand-stitched genuine leather, in the traditional Greek style. Pick from 6 leather colours at no extra cost.

Free personalised engraving + free custom logo upload. Name, regimental crest, family motto, Spartan motto, hoplite inscription, or any custom artwork — all included at no extra cost.

What Is an Authentic Ancient Greek Dagger? The Hoplite Sidearm-Xiphos Tradition

The ancient Greek world did not categorise its bladed weapons the way modern collectors do. There was no single "Greek dagger" weapon — instead, smaller variants of the primary Xiphos sword served as both sidearm daggers and final-resort weapons. These smaller Xiphos blades, in the 12"–20" range, are what we now call Greek daggers — and the Authentic Hoplite Xiphos is built specifically to this tradition.

Documented Greek dagger and short-blade types include:

• Sidearm Xiphos — The compact 12–20" leaf-blade Xiphos carried as a backup to the primary 18–24" hoplite Xiphos. The basis for the Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger.
• Parazonium (παραζώνιον) — A short Greek officer's sidearm dagger, worn at the belt as both a functional weapon and a mark of rank. Officers of higher status carried more ornate parazonium variants.
• Xyele (ξυήλη) — A short curved Greek knife used as both a sidearm and a utility tool. Mentioned in classical sources as a Spartan-favoured implement.
• Macedonian-era variants — Under Philip II and Alexander the Great, Macedonian arms incorporated longer Xiphos variants, with sidearm daggers retaining the classical leaf-blade form.

The Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger draws on the entire historical record — proportions, geometry, construction, and heat treatment all referenced from documented archaeological finds and classical literary sources. At 17 inches standard with the 12"–20" customisation range, it covers the documented sidearm-Xiphos size spectrum. Read the full Xiphos history blog.

Historical Background — The Xiphos in Greek Warfare

The xiphos was the primary short sword and secondary sidearm of ancient Greek warriors, most famously carried by hoplites from roughly the 7th to 4th centuries BCE. In the Greek phalanx, the spear (dory) was the main weapon — but once spear lines broke or fighting tightened, the xiphos became the blade drawn for survival. The compact sidearm Xiphos — the size range we build as the Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger — was the warrior's final weapon, drawn when the primary Xiphos was broken or lost.

Its leaf-shaped double-edged design widened toward the middle and narrowed sharply to a strong point, giving the Xiphos the ability to deliver both decisive cuts and deep thrusts. This made it especially suited to close formation combat where space was limited and quick, controlled strikes mattered most. Used across the Greek world — Sparta, Athens, Thebes, Corinth, and later Macedonian and Hellenistic forces — the Xiphos became one of the most recognisable symbols of classical Greek warfare and influenced later Mediterranean short-blade designs from the Roman gladius to the Iberian falcata.

Who Buys the Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger

Serious Greek-history collectors — The dagger built for buyers who care about historical fidelity. The oil-tempered carbon steel, the 17" classical sidearm-Xiphos dimensions, the period-correct construction, and the documented leaf-blade geometry all align with archaeological finds. This is the Xiphos for the collector who reads the literature, visits museums, and wants their piece to honour the historical record.

Museum-quality reenactors — Hoplite reenactment groups portraying Sparta, Athens, Thebes, or Macedonia need historically defensible kit. The Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger pairs perfectly with the 21" Greek Xiphos Sword as a documented hoplite primary-and-sidearm loadout, exactly as Greek warriors carried.

Classical scholars and academics — Buyers who appreciate the connection between the physical object and the ancient texts. The Authentic Hoplite Xiphos can be referenced against Homer, Xenophon, Thucydides, and the archaeological record — and the proportions match.

Greek-heritage gift commissions — A hand-forged Greek hoplite dagger with engraved Greek inscription, family motto in classical Greek, or Spartan oath, makes a serious heritage gift for Greek-descent recipients, classical scholars, history-PhD graduates, retiring classics teachers, or anyone with deep connection to Greek heritage. Free engraving included.

Premium Xiphos buyers seeking the longest dagger — At 17"–20" (with customisation), the Authentic Hoplite is the longest Xiphos in our dagger range, bridging the dagger and short-sword categories. Suits buyers who want maximum reach in a "dagger" classification.

Spartan culture enthusiasts — Spartan red leather scabbard option + Spartan-motto engraving (Molon Labe / Με την ασπίδα ή πάνω σε αυτή) = a complete Spartan-themed authentic blade commission at no extra charge.

Cosplay & high-end film prop builds — 300, Troy, Alexander, Helen of Troy, Hades, Assassin's Creed Odyssey hero-tier productions. The 17" classical proportions and Satin finish read as authentic on camera — particularly suited to high-budget productions where prop authenticity matters.

What's Included With Every Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger

• One 17-inch Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger (or your chosen length 12"–20")
• Hand-stitched leather-wrapped wooden scabbard (your colour choice from 6 options)
• Free personalised text engraving (your name / motto / Greek inscription)
• Free custom logo or photo engraving (your uploaded artwork)
• Manufacturer's care guide
• Tracked worldwide shipping via DHL Express or FedEx International
• 30-day satisfaction guarantee + 6-month manufacturing warranty

Worldwide Shipping & Trust

Every Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger ships from Kathmandu, Nepal via DHL Express or FedEx International with full tracking. Total typical timeline: 8–15 business days (3–5 days for forging, oil-tempering, and quality-checking, plus 5–10 days for international delivery). Custom lengths and personalised orders may take longer. Oil-tempering takes slightly longer than water-tempering due to the slower quench, contributing to the premium positioning of this product.

• Shipping & Returns — DHL/FedEx delivery, tracking, customs
• Warranty & Returns Policy — 30-day satisfaction, 6-month warranty
• Secure Shopping — SSL checkout, PCI-compliant payment
• The Making — how every blade is forged
• Meet the Maker — our blacksmiths in Kathmandu
• Battle Ready Standard — what we mean by battle-ready

Compare With Other Xiphos Daggers and Swords

The Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger is the longest and most historically faithful of our three Xiphos daggers. Compare with the full Xiphos range:

• 14" Hoplite Sidearm Dagger — Compact entry-point sidearm Xiphos, water-tempered ($134.99)
• 15" Tactical Xiphos Knife — Modern Blacked tactical/bushcraft Xiphos ($139.99)
• The Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger (this product) — 17" oil-tempered historical replica, premium positioning ($149.99)
• 18" Short Xiphos Sword — Spartan-style short Xiphos, on sale ($149.99)
• 21" Greek Xiphos Sword — Classical hoplite bestseller ($174.99)
• 22" Angel Wings Xiphos — Distinctive winged-guard design ($224.99)
• 24" Ancient Greek Xiphos — Full-length classical Xiphos ($234.99)
• The Royal Xiphos — 28" Extra Large — Officer's blade flagship ($374.99)
• View All Xiphos Swords — Full category

Frequently Asked Questions — The Authentic Hoplite Xiphos Dagger