Rondel Knife- 1095 Steel Blade - 15"

No reviews

The rondel was the sidearm the medieval knight wore at his belt: a stiff, steadily tapering blade set between two round steel plates, standard equipment across Western Europe by the 15th century. This hand-forged rondel measures 15 inches overall, with a blade of 1095 high-carbon steel, a steel disc guard and matching disc pommel, and a leather-wrapped grip. The blade is forged, heat treated, and hand sharpened by master smiths with a full tang running through the hilt for genuine battle-ready construction. All Battling Blades orders ship from our own warehouse in Illinois, and custom engraving is completed in-house before your rondel leaves our facility.

Specifications

• Overall length: 15 inches
• Blade steel: 1095 high-carbon, stiff tapering profile
• Guard and pommel: Matched steel discs
• Grip: Leather wrap
• Construction: Full tang, battle-ready
• Engraving: Optional, completed in-house at our Illinois workshop

The 1095 High-Carbon Steel Blade

The blade on this rondel is forged from 1095 high-carbon steel, the classic workhorse of traditional blademaking. With roughly 0.95 percent carbon content, 1095 takes an exceptionally keen edge, holds it well, and responds beautifully to heat treatment, which is why smiths have trusted it for generations of functional blades.

The rondel demands more rigidity than almost any blade of its size: thick at the base and tapering steadily to a fine point, it was among the stiffest blade forms of the medieval period. Our smiths forge that same geometry in 1095, heat treat it for the right balance of hardness and resilience, and hand sharpen the finished edge to a clean polish. Each blade passes our four quality control checkpoints before it is assembled and shipped.

History of the Rondel

Named for the French rond, meaning round, the rondel is defined by the paired discs at either end of its grip. The form appeared in the 14th century, and within a hundred years it had become so universal among the knightly class that period effigies and monumental brasses almost always show one at the hip of an armored man-at-arms, right beside the sword.

Its reach went well beyond the nobility. Merchants, tradesmen, and townsfolk across England, France, and the German lands wore rondels as everyday sidearms and marks of status, and the type stayed in use into the 16th century. The enclosed grip created by the two discs, together with that unmistakable silhouette of blade, leather, and steel circles, is what makes the rondel one of the most recognizable pieces of the late medieval world, and one of the most satisfying to display beside a longsword or arming sword today.

Anatomy of a Rondel

The rondel's construction is simple and distinctive, built from a handful of parts:

• Blade: Stiff and steadily tapering, thick at the base for rigidity. On this model, forged from 1095 high-carbon steel with a polished finish.
• Disc guard: The round steel plate between grip and blade, which defines the type and protects the hand.
• Grip: The leather-wrapped handle sized for a single hand.
• Disc pommel: The matching round plate at the top of the grip, which encloses the hand and anchors the full tang.

Craftsmanship and Quality

Every Battling Blades rondel is hand forged by master smiths through our direct workshop relationships, not mass produced. The 1095 blade is forged, heat treated, and sharpened by hand, then assembled with a full tang that runs through the grip and anchors at the pommel disc. This is battle-ready construction: a genuine forged blade built to the same standard as our swords, not a decorative casting. Custom engraving and etching are completed at our own facility in Illinois, so personalized orders never leave our quality control chain before shipping.

A Knight's Companion Piece

At 15 inches, the rondel sits at the upper end of the classic period size and pairs naturally with the swords of its era. Display it beside a longsword, arming sword, or bastard sword the way it hung on 15th-century belts, use it to complete a medieval arms wall, or give it as a distinctive gift at a smaller scale than a full sword.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a rondel?

A rondel is a medieval sidearm defined by the two round steel discs at either end of its grip, one serving as the guard and one as the pommel. It was carried by knights, merchants, and townsmen from the 14th through the 16th centuries and is named for the French word rond, meaning round.

Is this rondel battle-ready?

Yes. This rondel features a hand-forged 1095 high-carbon blade with a full tang running through the grip and anchoring at the pommel disc. It is built to the same quality standard as our swords, with heat treatment and hand sharpening at every step. It is a genuine forged blade, not a decorative casting.

What is 1095 steel?

1095 is a high-carbon steel containing roughly 0.95 percent carbon. It is one of the most trusted steels in traditional blademaking because it takes a very sharp edge, holds that edge well, and responds beautifully to heat treatment. It is the classic choice for functional forged blades.

How long is this rondel?

This rondel measures 15 inches overall. Historical rondels commonly ranged from about 12 to 20 inches, placing this piece at the upper middle of the classic period size.

Why does the rondel have discs instead of a crossguard?

The disc guard and disc pommel enclose the hand from both sides, giving a secure grip, and they were simpler to fit to a stiff, narrow blade than a traditional crossguard. The paired discs became the defining feature of the type and the source of its name.

Who carried rondels historically?

By the 15th century the rondel was standard equipment for knights and men-at-arms across Western Europe, worn at the belt alongside the sword. It was also widely carried by merchants and townsmen as an everyday sidearm and status piece, and it appears consistently on period effigies and monumental brasses.

What's the difference between the 1095 and Damascus rondels?

Both are hand forged with the same full-tang, disc-hilted construction. The 1095 version carries a clean polished blade in classic high-carbon steel, while the Damascus version is folded to 352 layers for a flowing, one-of-a-kind pattern. The choice is aesthetic: traditional polish or patterned steel.

What's the difference between a rondel and a dirk?

Both are historical sidearms, but they come from different traditions. The rondel is the disc-hilted blade of the late medieval European knight, while the dirk is the long Scottish blade of the Highlands, typically with a carved wooden grip and no guard discs. Collectors of medieval arms usually pair the rondel with a longsword, and the dirk with a claymore.

How do I care for a 1095 steel blade?

Keep the blade lightly oiled and store it in a dry environment. 1095 is a high-carbon steel and not stainless, so a thin coat of mineral oil after handling prevents rust and preserves the polished finish.

How quickly does it ship?

All Battling Blades orders ship from our own warehouse in Illinois, and most rondels are in stock and ship promptly. If you add custom engraving, we complete it in-house, which adds minimal time to your order.

Shipping times refer to carrier transit time after an item ships. They do not include production time, custom work, engraving, etching, or other preparation time before shipment.

In-stock items typically ship within 1 to 4 business days, though this can occasionally take longer during high-volume periods or for items requiring extra handling. Engraving or etching on in-stock items may add 1 to 3 business days before shipment.

Custom, engraved, altered, made-to-order, backordered, and specialty items (including armor and chess sets) may require additional production time before they ship. Fully custom items typically take 4 to 8 weeks, but complex requests may take longer depending on the design, materials, approvals, and production requirements.

Once an item ships, delivery time depends on the shipping method, carrier, and destination. If you need an item by a specific date, contact us before ordering so we can confirm whether the timeline is realistic.

In-stock items with no customizations can be returned free within 30 days, as long as they show no signs of use. Returns are handled through our return center.

Items that have any customization (such as engraving or etching) or that show signs of use cannot be returned. Custom and made-to-order items are produced specifically for your order and are not eligible for return.

If your item arrives damaged, incorrect, or defective, contact us with your order number and photos so we can review the issue.