The longsword — also written long sword or long-sword — is the definitive knightly weapon of medieval Europe: a cruciform hilt, a straight double-edged blade, and a grip long enough for two hands. The medieval longsword was predominantly carried during the late medieval and Renaissance periods (circa 1350–1550), with influence spanning the 13th through 17th centuries, and it remains the sword most people picture when they picture a sword at all.
Historical longswords typically ranged between 33 and 45 inches overall — and at a full 45 inches, this one sits at the very top of that range. This is a true full-length longsword, forged in high-carbon Damascus steel, sharpened, and weighing approximately 2 pounds 12 ounces: remarkably light for its size, exactly as the originals were. The handle is wood wrapped in premium leather and finished with Damascus steel bolsters, and a handmade leather sheath is included.
The Damascus Steel Blade
The blade is forged from high-carbon Damascus steel — alternating layers of steel forge-welded, folded, and acid-etched to reveal the flowing, wave-like pattern that runs through the full thickness of the blade. No two Damascus blades ever carry the same pattern; the one you receive exists nowhere else.
Beneath the pattern is a working sword. The layered high-carbon construction is heat-treated to 56–58 HRC on the Rockwell scale, hard enough to take and hold a sharpened edge along both sides of the blade. Damascus is prized in swordsmithing precisely for this combination: the performance of properly treated high-carbon steel, wearing a signature no other blade can copy.
Like all carbon steel, Damascus is not stainless — it rewards a simple care routine (see below) and repays it with a pattern that deepens in character over years of ownership.
Full-Length Two-Handed Design
A steel cruciform guard divides the blade from the extended two-handed grip, forming the classic cross silhouette of the European longsword. The wooden handle is wrapped in premium leather for grip and comfort, with Damascus steel bolsters matching the blade's pattern at either end — a detail that ties the whole sword together in hand and on display.
At 45 inches, this sword carries real reach and presence, yet at under 3 pounds it moves the way historical longswords did: quick, balanced, and controlled with two hands on the grip. The term "bastard sword" is often applied to more compact swords of this family; at full length, this one is simply — and properly — a longsword.
This is the weapon at the heart of the German and Italian fencing traditions — the systems of masters like Liechtenauer and Fiore that modern HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) practitioners study today. Its proportions follow the swords those treatises were written for.
Included Leather Sheath
A handmade leather sheath is included, weighing roughly 8 ounces and bringing the total carry weight to about 3 pounds 4 ounces. Use it for transport and display; for long-term storage, see the care notes below.
Explore the full range in our longsword collection, see the more compact bastard swords, or create your own custom sword with the blade, steel, and fittings you choose.
Sword Specifications
- Overall length: 45"
- Weight (sword): approximately 2 lbs 12 oz
- Weight (with sheath): approximately 3 lbs 4 oz
- Blade material: High-carbon Damascus steel (layered, forge-welded)
- Rockwell hardness: 56–58 HRC
- Edge: Sharpened, double-edged
- Guard: Steel cruciform crossguard
- Handle: Wood wrapped in premium leather, Damascus steel bolsters
- Grip configuration: Two-handed
- Included: Handmade leather sheath (approx. 8 oz)
Sword Care
Damascus is high-carbon steel: wipe the blade clean of fingerprints and moisture after handling, and apply a thin coat of mineral oil or sword oil before storage. Keep the sword in a dry environment and inspect it periodically.
Avoid abrasive cleaners or polishes, which can flatten the etched contrast that gives the steel its pattern. The included leather sheath is intended for transport and display — avoid storing the blade in leather for extended periods, as leather retains moisture; keep the oiled blade out of the sheath for long-term storage.
Because the edge is sharpened, handle the blade with care and store it out of reach of children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a longsword?
A longsword is a European sword with a straight, double-edged blade and a grip long enough for two hands, worn and wielded from roughly the 14th through 16th centuries. It's distinguished from the one-handed arming sword by its extended grip and greater overall length.
How long is a longsword?
Historical longswords generally ran between about 33 and 45 inches overall. At 45 inches, this model sits at the full-size end of the range — maximum reach and presence while remaining true to historical proportions.
How much does a longsword weigh?
Far less than most people expect. Historical longswords typically weighed between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds; the myth of the ten-pound medieval sword is just that. This sword weighs approximately 2 pounds 12 ounces — about 3 pounds 4 ounces with its leather sheath — squarely in the historical range.
Is a longsword one-handed or two-handed?
Primarily two-handed — that's what the extended grip is for — but the longsword was a versatile weapon, and period fencing treatises show techniques with one hand as well, particularly from horseback. Its balance and weight make two hands the natural way to wield it.
What is the difference between a longsword and a bastard sword?
The terms overlap, and historical usage was inconsistent. A bastard — or hand-and-a-half — sword is usually understood as the more compact member of the family, with a grip that fits one hand or two. A full longsword like this 45" model has a grip clearly intended for two hands and longer overall proportions.
What is the difference between a longsword and a greatsword?
Size and role. A longsword like this one — even at a full 45 inches — remained a versatile personal sword, light enough at under 3 pounds to wear at the side and wield with speed. Greatswords such as the Zweihänder were substantially larger battlefield weapons, often 55 inches or more and 4.5 to 7 pounds, designed purely for two-handed use against formations.
Katana vs. longsword — how do they compare?
They're contemporaries from opposite ends of the world. The katana is a curved, single-edged cutting sword typically around 39–41 inches overall; the longsword is straight and double-edged with a longer grip and a crossguard, built for a fencing system that used both edges, the point, and even the guard. Neither is "better" — they answer different fighting traditions.
Is Damascus steel good for swords?
Yes — provided the steels inside it and the heat treatment behind it are right. This blade's layered high-carbon construction is hardened and tempered to 56–58 HRC, the same performance target as our 1095 swords, so the pattern comes on top of a properly made blade rather than instead of one.
Does Damascus steel rust?
It can. Damascus is carbon steel, not stainless, and it will rust if neglected — which also obscures the pattern. A wipe-down after handling and a light coat of oil before storage are all it takes to prevent it.
Is this sword sharpened?
Yes. The blade ships with a sharpened, double-edged cutting edge backed by a full heat treatment. Handle it with the respect a 45-inch sharpened blade deserves, and use the included sheath for transport.
