Xiphos Swords for Sale — Hand-Forged Greek Leaf Blades | 14" to 28" Lengths
Hand-forged Greek Xiphos swords from Everest Forge — the leaf-shaped short sword of the ancient Greek hoplite. Each Xiphos is forged in Kathmandu, Nepal from 5160 high carbon spring steel, water-tempered, sharpened to a working edge, and shipped worldwide via DHL Express and FedEx with full tracking. Carried by Greek warriors from the 5th to 3rd centuries BCE — through the Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, and the campaigns of Alexander the Great — the Xiphos was the trusted sidearm drawn when the dory spear was broken or lost. Battle-ready, full-tang, double-edged, and built to last.
Our most popular Xiphos is the 21-inch hand-forged Greek Xiphos — the classical hoplite length, true to the original 18–24" range used by Greek warriors. We also forge Xiphos blades in 14-inch and 15-inch dagger sizes, 18-inch short, 21-inch classical, 22-inch Angel Wings, 24-inch full-length, and 28-inch Extra Large lengths — plus fully bespoke custom builds.
Everest Forge — Hand-Forged Greek Leaf Blades
Real Steel. Real Heat-Treatment. Real Hoplite Xiphos.
Every Everest Forge Xiphos is hand-forged from 5160 spring steel, water tempered, full-tang, and built for real cutting and thrust. Choose your length from 14 to 28 inches, add free personalised engraving, or commission a fully bespoke Xiphos to your exact specification.
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Our Bestselling Xiphos Swords
Based on hundreds of orders across Etsy and our own website, these are the Xiphos models our customers buy most often. Every one ships ready-to-use, with the same 5160 spring steel and the same hand-forging that made the classical 21-inch Xiphos our most-requested hoplite blade.
#1 BESTSELLER
21-Inch Greek Xiphos Sword
21" leaf blade · Full tang · Rosewood handle · Leather scabbard
The classical hoplite length — true to the original 18–24" Greek Xiphos used by warriors at Marathon, Thermopylae, and Plataea. Optimal balance, authentic leaf-shaped geometry, and the most popular choice for collectors, reenactors, and HEMA practitioners. Water-tempered 5160 spring steel, sharpened to a working edge.
$174.99
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24-Inch Ancient Greek Xiphos Sword
24" leaf blade · Full tang · Rosewood handle · Leather scabbard
Full-length classical Xiphos at the upper end of the historical 18–24" range. More reach and cutting power than the 21-inch, ideal for serious reenactors and collectors who want a substantial hoplite blade.
$234.99
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28-Inch Extra Large Xiphos Sword
28" leaf blade · Full tang · 12" rosewood handle · Leather scabbard
The officer's Xiphos — a grand reimagining of the classical design with an extended 28-inch blade. Built for elite-unit aesthetic and collector display, while retaining true full-tang water-tempered construction.
$374.99
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18-Inch Short Xiphos Sword
18" leaf blade · Full tang · Polished horn handle · Leather scabbard
The compact Spartan-style Xiphos. Shorter than the standard hoplite blade, suited to tight shield-to-shield combat as the Spartans themselves used. Lighter, faster, and currently on sale.
$149.99 $174.99
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Angel Wings Greek Xiphos — 22 Inch
22" leaf blade · Distinctive winged guard · Full tang
Our most distinctive Xiphos design — a 22-inch hand-forged leaf blade with a signature "angel wings" cross-guard inspired by elite hoplite officer's swords. A unique collector's piece.
$224.99
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15-Inch Customized Xiphos Dagger
15" leaf blade · Full tang · Rosewood handle · 5160 spring steel
Compact Xiphos dagger built around the customization wedge — choose your handle wood, scabbard style, and free personalised engraving. The Xiphos in sidearm form.
$139.99
View Customized Xiphos Dagger →
The Full Xiphos Range — All 12 Hand-Forged Greek Blades
Every Xiphos in our range is hand-forged in Kathmandu from 5160 high carbon spring steel and water-tempered to working hardness. Choose by length, by historical purpose, or by intended use. Custom lengths and bespoke designs available through our Custom Forge service.
Hand-Forged Xiphos by Blade Length
14-Inch Greek Xiphos Dagger — The most compact Xiphos we forge. A historically authentic Greek Xiphos dagger with 14-inch carbon steel leaf blade. Ideal for sidearm carry, collection, or gifts. View 14" Xiphos Dagger — $134.99.
15-Inch Xiphos Daggers — Two 15-inch variants. The Ancient Greek Xiphos Dagger ($149.99) is the classical hoplite-sidearm interpretation. The Customized Xiphos Dagger ($139.99) ships with full personalisation options included.
18-Inch Short Xiphos — Spartan-style short Xiphos with polished horn handle. Currently on sale. View 18" Short Xiphos — $149.99 (was $174.99).
21-Inch Greek Xiphos — Our bestseller. True classical hoplite length. Two 21-inch options available: the 21-Inch Blade Xiphos ($174.99) and the Greek Xiphos Sword ($184.99) variant.
22-Inch Angel Wings Xiphos — Distinctive winged-guard design. View Angel Wings Xiphos — $224.99.
24-Inch Greek Xiphos — Full-length classical Xiphos. Two 24-inch options: the Ancient Greek Xiphos ($234.99) and the 24-Inch Greek Xiphos ($224.99).
28-Inch Extra Large Xiphos — The officer's Xiphos. View 28" Extra Large Xiphos — $374.99.
Custom Length Xiphos — Specify any length from 12 to 30 inches. Forged to your exact dimensions. Custom Forge service.
Historical Xiphos Patterns & Periods
Archaic Xiphos (8th–6th century BCE) — The earliest iron-forged Xiphos blades, evolved from Bronze Age leaf-sword designs like the Naue II. Broader, heavier, and used during the formation of the Greek city-states.
Classical Hoplite Xiphos (5th–4th century BCE) — The standard 18–24" double-edged leaf blade carried by every Greek hoplite. Used at Marathon, Thermopylae, Plataea, Salamis, and across the Peloponnesian War. View Classical Hoplite Xiphos.
Spartan Xiphos — Shorter Spartan variant, sometimes as short as 12–18 inches, designed for the tight shield-to-shield phalanx combat Spartans were known for. Our 18-inch short Xiphos captures this style. View Spartan-Style Short Xiphos.
Macedonian Xiphos — The Xiphos carried alongside the sarissa by Alexander the Great's Macedonian phalangites and companion cavalry. Slightly longer than the standard hoplite blade.
Xiphos Dagger / Sidearm — Sub-16-inch Xiphos blades worn as backup sidearms or by lighter Greek skirmishers. View Xiphos Dagger.
Special & Custom Xiphos Designs
Angel Wings Xiphos — A 22-inch Xiphos with a distinctive winged cross-guard, designed for collectors who want a Greek leaf blade with unique visual identity. View Angel Wings Xiphos.
Customized Xiphos Dagger — 15-inch Xiphos dagger built around full customisation: handle wood, scabbard style, and personalised engraving included. View Customized Xiphos Dagger.
Personalised Xiphos with Engraving — Every Xiphos in our range ships with free personalised engraving — your name, initials, monogram, family motto, or custom text and logo on the blade or handle at no extra cost. Personalized Blades details.
Custom Xiphos Commission — Personalised pommel design, guard style, blade profile, fuller, handle material, and length specification. Specify any length, profile, fitting, or design and our blacksmiths will forge it to your exact specification. Custom Forge service.
Why Buy a Xiphos from Everest Forge
Real, working steel. Every Xiphos is forged from 5160 high carbon spring steel — the same material used in vehicle leaf springs, chosen for shock resistance, edge retention, and toughness. Water-tempered to working hardness. Full-tang construction. These are not stainless wall-hangers.
Hand-forged in Nepal. Our blacksmiths forge by hand using hammer, anvil, and traditional methods passed down through generations. See the full forging process on The Making page. Meet our team on the Meet the Maker page.
Historically grounded designs. Our patterns reference real archaeological finds from Greece, southern Italy, and the wider Mediterranean. The leaf-blade geometry, the 18–24" historical length range, the full-tang construction with hardwood, horn, or rosewood hilts — every detail traces back to museum-documented hoplite weapons.
Free personalisation included. Personalised engraving — name, initials, monogram, family crest, or custom text and logo — is included at no extra charge on every Xiphos. Custom blade length, handle wood, scabbard style, and full bespoke commissions through Custom Forge.
Battle-ready, not battle-fragile. Our combat-grade Xiphos blades survive cutting drills, target work, and reenactment use. Read what battle-ready actually means on our Battle Ready Standard page.
Worldwide shipping with full tracking. DHL Express and FedEx International delivery to most countries. Shipping & Returns details.
30-day returns and 6-month warranty. Full satisfaction guarantee. Warranty & Returns Policy.
Who Buys an Everest Forge Xiphos
Ancient Greek history collectors — Buyers building a Greek or classical antiquity collection. The Xiphos is the iconic short sword of the hoplite — carrying it represents the entire Greek military tradition. Our historically accurate Archaic, Classical, and Spartan variants are forged from archaeological references.
Hoplite reenactors & living history — Greek hoplite reenactment groups, Spartan portrayals, classical-era Living History participants. Hand-forged steel, period-accurate leaf-blade geometry, leather scabbard included.
HEMA & classical martial artists — Historical European Martial Arts students studying Greek and Roman military technique, plus martial artists practicing thrust-and-cut footwork with a real-weight short sword. Blunt training versions available for sparring use.
Cutting-practice users — Buyers who actually cut tatami mats, water bottles, and bamboo. The 21-inch Greek Xiphos is particularly suited to cutting drills due to its leaf-shape weight distribution and double-edged geometry.
Gift buyers — A hand-forged Xiphos with personalised engraving is a serious gift for the right recipient — history enthusiasts, classical scholars, retirement and milestone gifts, fans of Spartan and hoplite history. Free engraving included on every Xiphos.
Cosplay & film prop builds — 300, Troy, Alexander, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Hades — productions and individual cosplayers using authentic hand-forged steel for screen-accurate hoplite kit. Full-weight authentic steel for production use, with blunt training versions available for choreography and rehearsal.
Xiphos Sword Specifications
Steel — 5160 high carbon spring steel (standard). Other steels including 1095 and 1075 available on custom request.
Heat treatment — Water-tempered to working hardness. Hardened edge with tougher spine.
Construction — Full-tang on all working models. Tang configuration (peened, threaded, drilled) specified per design.
Handle materials — Standard rosewood, whitewood, or polished buffalo horn. Custom handles in micarta, G10, stag horn, or exotic timbers available.
Blade lengths — 14, 15, 18, 21, 22, 24, 28 inches standard. Custom lengths from 12 to 30 inches available.
Blade profile — Double-edged, leaf-shaped — broader at mid-blade, tapering to a deadly point. Historically accurate to surviving Xiphos artifacts.
Edge — Sharpened to a working edge by default. Blunt training-version edges available at no extra charge.
Scabbard — Wooden core covered in leather, included with every standard model. Reinforced steel guard and pommel where appropriate to design.
Personalisation — Free standard engraving (names, dates, mottos, family crests, custom logos) included on every Xiphos at no extra charge. Custom artwork and ceremonial inlay quoted separately. Personalized Blades details.
Custom Xiphos — Built to Your Specification
If our standard range doesn't have exactly the Xiphos you want — a specific length, blade profile, fuller, pommel design, period-correct grip, presentation engraving, or fully bespoke design — our Custom Forge service builds Xiphos blades to order. Send us reference images, archaeological drawings, or written specifications. We forge to your exact dimensions in 5160 spring steel and confirm every detail before forging begins.
Everest Forge — Custom Greek Xiphos
Need a Specific Length, Pattern, or Presentation Piece?
Commission a fully bespoke Xiphos to your exact specification — any length from 12 to 30 inches, any historical period (Archaic, Classical, Spartan, Macedonian), any handle material, with optional engraving and ceremonial details. Bulk orders for reenactment groups and martial arts schools welcome.
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The Xiphos — A Brief History
The Greek Xiphos was the standard sidearm of the Greek hoplite from approximately the 8th century BCE through the rise of Macedonian arms in the 4th century BCE — over 400 years of continuous battlefield service. The name Xiphos (ξίφος) is simply the ancient Greek word for "sword," and the design evolved from Bronze Age leaf-sword ancestors such as the Naue II, which were already in widespread Mediterranean use centuries earlier.
The genius of the Xiphos was its leaf-blade geometry. Broad at the middle and tapering to a deadly point, the Xiphos delivered both powerful slashing cuts and precise thrusts — a single sidearm that could open a wound or punch through a gap in an enemy's armour. At 18 to 24 inches in blade length, it was perfectly sized for one-handed use alongside the hoplite's massive shield (aspis), and short enough for the brutal close-quarters fighting that defined the phalanx formation. When the longer primary spear, the dory, was broken or lost, the Xiphos was the warrior's last line of attack.
The Xiphos was carried by the Spartans at Thermopylae, the Athenians at Marathon, the combined Greek forces at Plataea, and the Macedonians under Alexander the Great as they conquered Persia and reached the borders of India. Today it remains one of the most iconic short swords in military history — the blade that, more than any other, defines the warrior tradition of Ancient Greece.
Worldwide Shipping & Trust
Every Everest Forge Xiphos ships from Kathmandu, Nepal via DHL Express or FedEx International with full tracking. Delivery to most countries within 8–15 business days from order. Customs handling, payment security, return policy, and full warranty details on our dedicated trust pages:
Everest Forge — Hand-Forged Greek Xiphos from Nepal
Choose Your Xiphos. We Forge It. We Ship It.
From the 21-inch Classical Hoplite Xiphos bestseller to fully bespoke commissions — every Xiphos is hand-forged in 5160 spring steel, water tempered, and shipped worldwide with tracking. Free personalisation, custom lengths, and bulk orders welcome.
21" Bestseller →
28" Extra Large →
Xiphos Dagger →
Custom Xiphos →
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Xiphos
What is a Xiphos sword?
The Xiphos was the standard sidearm of the Greek hoplite from approximately the 8th century BCE through the 4th century BCE. It was a short, double-edged sword with a distinctive leaf-shaped blade typically 18 to 24 inches in length, designed for close-quarters slash-and-thrust combat inside the phalanx formation. The name "Xiphos" (ξίφος) is the ancient Greek word for "sword."
How old is the Xiphos sword?
The Xiphos dates back at least 2,500 years. Iron-forged Xiphos blades emerged during the Greek Archaic period (around the 8th century BCE) and reached their peak use during the Classical era (5th–3rd centuries BCE). The leaf-blade design itself is even older, descending from Bronze Age leaf swords such as the Naue II, which were already in widespread use across Europe and the Mediterranean by the late Bronze Age.
What length Xiphos should I buy?
Most buyers choose the 21-inch Greek Xiphos — it is our bestseller and represents the classical hoplite length, true to the original 18–24" used by Greek warriors. For sidearm carry, gifts, or a compact piece choose a 14" or 15" Xiphos dagger. For HEMA training and serious reenactment the 21" is the safest choice. For a collector showpiece or officer's-style blade, the 28" Extra Large Xiphos delivers maximum visual impact.
What is the difference between a Xiphos and a Kopis?
Both are ancient Greek swords, but they have very different shapes and purposes. The Xiphos has a straight, double-edged, leaf-shaped blade optimised for both thrusting and slashing — ideal for hoplite infantry. The Kopis has a single-edged, forward-curving blade designed for powerful chopping cuts, and was favoured by Greek cavalry. Many Greek warriors carried one or the other, and some elite units used both. See our Kopis sword collection.
What is the difference between a Xiphos and a Gladius?
The Xiphos is the ancient Greek short sword (5th–3rd century BCE), while the Roman Gladius came later and was the standard short sword of the Roman legions. The Xiphos has a leaf-shaped, double-edged blade, while the Gladius is narrower and more triangular with a tapered point optimised for thrusting in tight formation. Read our full comparison: Xiphos vs Gladius.
Is your Xiphos battle-ready?
Yes. Every Everest Forge Xiphos is forged from 5160 high carbon spring steel, water-tempered, full-tang, and structurally sound enough to survive cutting practice, target drilling, and reenactment use. They are not stainless wall-hangers. For HEMA sparring or stage combat, blunt training-version Xiphos blades are available at no extra charge — mention in your order notes or contact us.
Did Spartans use the Xiphos?
Yes. The Xiphos was the standard short sword of Spartan hoplites and was carried by Spartan warriors at famous battles including Thermopylae and Plataea. Spartan Xiphos blades were sometimes shorter than the average Greek model — some accounts describe Spartan Xiphos blades as short as 12–18 inches, making them ideal for the tight shield-to-shield combat the Spartans were known for. Our 18-inch Short Xiphos captures this style.
Can I customize my Xiphos sword?
Yes. Every Xiphos comes with free personalised engraving — we will engrave your name, initials, monogram, family motto, or custom text and logo on the blade or handle at no additional charge. For deeper customization — blade length, handle wood (rosewood, hardwood, horn), scabbard style, pommel design, or a fully bespoke historical replica — choose from the options on each product page or request a fully custom build through our Custom Forge service.
What steel do you use for the Xiphos?
Standard Xiphos blades are forged from 5160 high carbon spring steel — the same material used in heavy-duty vehicle leaf springs, chosen for excellent toughness, shock resistance, and edge retention. Water-tempered to working hardness. Other steels including 1095 and 1075 available on custom request.
Does the Xiphos come with a scabbard?
Yes — every Xiphos sword and dagger ships with a hand-stitched leather-wrapped wooden scabbard, made to fit the specific blade. The scabbard protects the edge in storage and lets you display or carry the sword safely. Custom scabbard upgrades (all-leather, all-wood, decorative stitching) are available on request.
Do you ship Xiphos swords worldwide?
Yes. We ship to most countries worldwide via DHL Express and FedEx International with full tracking. Some countries restrict the import of swords above certain lengths — it is the buyer's responsibility to check local laws before ordering. Australia, parts of the EU, and the UK have specific restrictions. Contact us if unsure.
How much does a custom Xiphos cost?
Our standard hand-forged Xiphos swords start at $134.99 for the 14" Xiphos Dagger and go up to $374.99 for the 28" Extra Large Xiphos. Personalisation (name, initials, logo engraving) is free on every order. Custom blade length, premium handle wood, decorative scabbard upgrades, or fully bespoke historical builds carry an additional cost — request a quote through our Custom Forge service for the exact price of your build.
How long does delivery take?
Total typical timeline 8–15 business days. 3–5 business days for forging and processing in our Kathmandu workshop, plus 5–10 business days for DHL or FedEx delivery. Custom and personalised orders may take longer. Full details on our Shipping & Returns page.
What is your return policy on a Xiphos?
30-day satisfaction guarantee on all standard Xiphos blades in unused condition. 6-month warranty against manufacturing defects. Custom and personalised Xiphos blades are non-returnable as they are forged to your specification. Full details on our Warranty & Returns Policy.
