Broadsword – Medieval Hand-and-a-Half Sword – 38" 1095 Steel
Straightforward, substantial, and unmistakably medieval, this 38-inch broadsword favors practical lines over elaborate decoration. Its straight, double-edged blade is forged from 1095 high-carbon steel, fully heat-treated, and ships with a sharpened edge. A steel cruciform guard, black leather-wrapped extended grip, and rounded metal pommel complete the design, and a fitted leather sheath is included. At approximately 3 pounds 3 ounces, the sword sits comfortably in the weight range of the historical swords that inspired it — hefty enough to feel substantial in the hand, light enough to move well. The design occupies the space between a compact one-handed sword and a full two-handed longsword. Its extended hilt gives it the recognizable proportions of a hand-and-a-half — or bastard — sword, while its broad European blade profile earns it a natural place in the broadsword category. 1095 High-Carbon Steel Blade — Heat-Treated, Quenched, and Sharpened The blade is made from 1095 high-carbon steel, a material valued by sword and knife makers for its high carbon content, hardness potential, and ability to hold a fine edge when properly heat-treated. This blade receives that proper heat treatment. After shaping, it is brought up to critical temperature and quenched — rapidly cooled to lock the steel into a hardened state. Quenching alone leaves high-carbon steel hard but brittle, so the blade is then tempered, a controlled reheating that relieves internal stress and trades a small amount of hardness for the toughness and resilience a sword blade needs. The result is a blade hard enough to take and hold a sharpened edge, with enough spring to stand up to handling. The edge comes sharpened from our shop. This is a functional high-carbon blade, not a blunt display piece, and it should be handled and stored with the same respect you would give any sharpened tool. Unlike stainless steel, 1095 steel requires regular care. The blade should be wiped clean after handling and protected with a light coating of mineral oil or sword oil. With proper maintenance, its developing patina can become part of the sword's individual character. Prefer a blade with a pattern as individual as the sword itself? Our 37" Damascus bastard sword offers similar hand-and-a-half proportions in layered Damascus steel. Medieval Hand-and-a-Half Design A simple steel cruciform guard separates the blade from the extended grip, creating the classic cross-shaped silhouette associated with medieval European swords. The grip is wrapped in black leather and provides more room than the handle of a conventional arming sword, while the rounded metal pommel completes the restrained design. The blade itself is broad, flat, and unfullered — a clean, uninterrupted profile from guard to point, in keeping with the sword's plain, practical character. At 38 inches overall, this sword is more compact than the greatswords and large two-handed weapons of the late medieval and Renaissance periods. Its proportions are closer to the versatile hand-and-a-half swords carried during the later Middle Ages. Included Leather Sheath The sword ships with a fitted leather sheath weighing roughly 6 ounces, bringing the total carry weight to about 3 pounds 9 ounces. The sheath protects the sharpened edge during transport and display. For long-term storage, see the care notes below — high-carbon steel should not live in leather indefinitely. A Brief History of the Broadsword "Broadsword" was not one precise medieval sword classification. The name became particularly common during the early modern period, when broad cutting blades were distinguished from narrower thrusting weapons such as the smallsword. Many historical broadswords were one-handed weapons equipped with basket hilts, including well-known Scottish examples. Today, broadsword is also used more broadly by collectors to describe straight European swords with substantial cutting blades. The cruciform guard and extended grip of this model place its design closer to the medieval longsword and hand-and-a-half sword traditions than to the later basket-hilted broadsword. Medieval hand-and-a-half swords developed as armor and fighting methods changed. Their longer handles offered additional leverage while remaining more compact and versatile than the very large two-handed swords that followed. Because historical terminology was inconsistent, collectors may describe similar swords as longswords, bastard swords, hand-and-a-half swords, or broadswords depending on their proportions and context. Explore additional historical and fantasy-inspired designs in our broadsword collection, browse our full range of longswords and bastard swords, or create your own custom sword with the blade, steel, and fittings you choose. Specifications Overall length: 38 inches Weight (sword): approximately 3 lbs 3 oz Weight (with sheath): approximately 3 lbs 9 oz Blade material: 1095 high-carbon steel Heat treatment: Quenched and tempered Edge: Sharpened, double-edged Blade profile: Straight and broad, no fuller Guard: Steel cruciform crossguard Grip: Extended handle wrapped in black leather Pommel: Rounded metal pommel Included: Fitted leather sheath (approx. 6 oz) Primary classification: Broadsword Related classifications: Hand-and-a-half sword, bastard sword, or compact longsword Design inspiration: Medieval European swords Sword Care Remove fingerprints and moisture from the blade after handling. Apply a thin, even coating of mineral oil, sword oil, or another suitable high-carbon-steel protectant before storage. Keep the sword in a dry environment and inspect it periodically for surface corrosion. The included leather sheath is intended for transport and display. Avoid storing a high-carbon-steel blade in a leather sheath for extended periods, as leather can retain moisture against the steel. For long-term storage, keep the blade oiled and out of the sheath in a dry location. Because the edge is sharpened, always wipe the blade from spine to edge, keep fingers clear of the cutting surfaces, and store the sword out of reach of children. Frequently Asked Questions Is this sword sharpened? Yes. The blade ships with a sharpened, double-edged cutting edge, backed by a full quench-and-temper heat treatment of the 1095 high-carbon steel. It is a functional blade rather than a blunt decorative piece, and it should be handled accordingly. Sales are limited to adults 18 and over. How much does this broadsword weigh? The sword weighs approximately 3 pounds 3 ounces, or about 3 pounds 9 ounces with the included leather sheath. That places it squarely in the range of historical hand-and-a-half swords, most of which weighed between roughly 2.5 and 3.5 pounds — far lighter than the ten-pound monsters of popular imagination. Does it come with a scabbard or sheath? Yes — a fitted leather sheath is included. "Scabbard" and "sheath" are largely interchangeable terms; scabbard traditionally suggests a rigid case of wood or metal, while sheath is the broader word and typically describes leather. Whatever you call it, remember that leather holds moisture: use the sheath for carrying and display, but store the oiled blade outside it long-term. Is 1095 steel good for swords? Yes. 1095 is a proven high-carbon steel used widely in swords and knives. Its high carbon content lets it harden well in heat treatment and hold a fine, sharpened edge. The trade-off is that it is not stainless — it will rust if neglected — so it rewards owners willing to give it a quick wipe-down and a coat of oil. For a functional carbon-steel sword at this size, it is an excellent choice. What is the difference between a broadsword and a longsword? A historical broadsword was generally a one-handed sword with a relatively broad cutting blade. Later examples were often fitted with basket hilts. A longsword is primarily distinguished by its extended grip, which accommodates two-handed use, and by its longer overall proportions. Modern product categories use "broadsword" more broadly. This sword combines a broad, straight blade with the extended grip and cruciform guard more commonly associated with a compact longsword. What is the difference between a broadsword and a bastard sword? "Bastard sword" is a traditional name for a weapon that falls between a one-handed arming sword and a larger two-handed longsword. It is also commonly called a hand-and-a-half sword because its extended grip can accommodate a second hand. Broadsword describes the general blade category used for this listing, while bastard sword more specifically describes its hand-and-a-half proportions. Why is it called a "bastard" sword? Because it belongs to neither family. Renaissance-era sources used the term for swords that were neither true one-handed arming swords nor full two-handed swords — of "illegitimate" parentage, as the joke went. The name stuck, and today it survives alongside the politer "hand-and-a-half sword" for exactly the kind of in-between proportions this sword has. Are a longsword and a bastard sword the same thing? The terms overlap, and historical classifications were not always consistent. A bastard sword is usually understood as a relatively compact hand-and-a-half sword. A longsword more often has a grip clearly intended for two hands, although many collectors and historians use "longsword" as an umbrella term that includes hand-and-a-half swords. Can this sword be used with one hand? Yes. The hand-and-a-half design is exactly that compromise: at roughly 3 pounds 3 ounces it can be wielded in one hand like an arming sword, while the extended leather-wrapped grip leaves room to bring the second hand in for extra leverage and control. How is a broadsword different from an arming sword? An arming sword is normally a one-handed medieval sword with a cruciform guard and a grip designed for one hand. It was often carried alongside a shield. A hand-and-a-half broadsword has a longer grip that provides additional space and leverage. How is this different from a greatsword? Greatswords are substantially larger weapons specifically designed for two-handed handling. They generally have much longer blades and grips than this 38-inch sword, and often weigh five pounds or more — well above this sword's roughly 3 pounds 3 ounces. This model retains more compact medieval proportions and should not be classified as a greatsword. What is the difference between a broadsword and a claymore? "Claymore" refers to two different Scottish swords. The earlier claymore was a large two-handed Highland sword with distinctive forward-sloping quillons; the later claymore was a one-handed basket-hilted broadsword. This sword is neither — it is smaller and more versatile than the two-handed claymore and lacks the basket hilt of the later type — but all three share the broad, straight, double-edged blade that defines the broadsword family. Why is this sword called a broadsword if it does not have a basket hilt? Not every weapon sold as a broadsword has a basket hilt. Although many famous historical broadswords — especially Scottish examples — used basket guards, modern collectors also use the term for straight European swords with wide, double-edged blade profiles. This particular model draws more heavily from medieval cruciform-hilt swords. Is 1095 steel stainless? No. 1095 is a high-carbon steel and does not contain enough chromium to be considered stainless. It offers desirable properties for edged tools but can rust when exposed to fingerprints, humidity, or moisture. Regular cleaning and a light coating of oil are recommended. What historical period inspired this sword? Its cruciform guard, straight double-edged blade, and extended grip are broadly inspired by European hand-and-a-half swords of the later Middle Ages. It is not presented as a replica of one surviving historical sword, but its overall form reflects medieval European sword design.