Scimitar Swords

Scimitars are the curved, single-edged swords of the Middle East and Persia, built to cut on the draw. Every scimitar here is hand-forged with a full tang in pattern-welded Damascus or 1095 high carbon steel, from a 19-inch short saber to a 48-inch showpiece, and each ships with a scabbard. Most are the classic Arabian pattern; the collection also holds a Persian shamshir, an Arabian saif, an eagle-hilted scimitar and a double-sided blade.

Choosing a scimitar

Patterns

The Arabian scimitar is the broad, deeply curved blade most people picture, with a flared tip and a guard that turns down toward the blade. It is the bulk of this collection, in lengths from 24 to 44 inches. The shamshir is the Persian form: narrower, with a smooth, deep curve and no flare, made for the slicing draw rather than the chop. The saif is the Arab straight-to-gently-curved sword that came before the deep curve became fashionable. The 19-inch scimitar sabers are short, one-hand blades that suit a desk or a small wall space. The double-sided scimitar and the 48-inch fantasy scimitar are display pieces at the far end of the range.

Length

Length decides where a scimitar lives. Under 28 inches sits on a shelf or a single-sword stand. 32 to 37 inches is the standard wall sword. 41 inches and up needs a full-width mount and a wall to itself. Overall length is on every product page; blade length is roughly six to eight inches less.

Steel and finish

Damascus blades are forged from layered high carbon steels, so the pattern runs the length of the blade and no two are alike. 1095 is the plain high carbon steel, harder and simpler to maintain. Both are hardened and tempered; the product page states whether a given blade ships sharp or dull. A blade listed as battle-ready is built to a working standard: functional steel, hardened, full tang. Keep either steel clean, dry and lightly oiled; the cleaning kit covers it.

Related

The scimitar is one branch of a larger family. The Turkish kilij and the European sabers share its single edge and curve; the Egyptian khopesh is its ancient ancestor; and the whole set of curved blades, Chinese dao included, is gathered under curved swords. For the parts named in the listings, see parts of a sword. A scimitar can also be built to your own length and fittings in the custom sword builder.

Frequently asked questions

What is a scimitar?
A curved, single-edged sword from the Middle East, Persia, Turkey and North Africa. The word is a European catch-all; the regional names are shamshir (Persia), kilij (Turkey), saif (Arabia) and talwar (India). The blade curves toward the edge so that a drawn stroke slices as it cuts.

Is a scimitar the same as a saber?
They are cousins. The saber is the European cavalry sword that took the curve from the eastern blades in the 1600s and 1700s. Sabers are generally less curved and have a knuckle guard; scimitars curve more and use a simple cross or downturned guard.

What is the difference between a scimitar and a shamshir?
The shamshir is a specific Persian type: a narrow blade with a deep, even curve and no widening toward the tip. The Arabian scimitar is broader and often flares at the tip. Both are single-edged.

What length should I choose?
For display, match the wall or shelf: under 28 inches for a shelf, 32 to 37 for a standard wall mount, 41 and over for a full-width mount. For a first collector piece, the 32 to 37 inch Arabian pattern is the safe choice.

Do they come sharp?
Most 1095 and Damascus scimitars are supplied with an edge and can be ordered dull for display. The product page states which finish a given sword carries.