Rondel Knife- Damascus Steel Blade - 14"

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The rondel was the signature sidearm of the medieval knight: a stiff, tapering blade fitted between two steel discs, worn at the belt from the 14th century onward. This hand-forged rondel measures 14 inches overall, with a 352-layer Damascus steel blade, a hammered 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. Most orders ship promptly from our Illinois warehouse, and custom engraving is completed in-house before your rondel leaves our facility.

Specifications

• Overall length: 14 inches
• Blade steel: 352-layer Damascus, stiff tapering profile
• Guard and pommel: Hammered steel discs with domed pommel cap
• Grip: Ribbed leather wrap
• Construction: Full tang, battle-ready
• Engraving: Optional, completed in-house at our Illinois workshop

The Damascus Steel Blade

The blade on this rondel is forged from 352 layers of Damascus steel. Our smiths begin with 11 pieces of steel and fold the billet progressively, doubling and redoubling the layers until the finished blade carries 352 alternating bands. The flowing, water-like pattern runs the full length of the tapering blade, and because the pattern emerges from the folding process itself, no two rondels are ever identical.

The rondel's blade profile is unlike a knife's: stiff, thick at the base, and tapering steadily to a fine point, a geometry that made the historical rondel one of the most rigid blades of the medieval period. Our smiths forge that same profile, heat treat it for hardness and resilience, and hand sharpen the finished blade. Each one passes our four quality control checkpoints before it ships.

History of the Rondel

The rondel takes its name from the round steel discs at either end of its grip, from the French rond. It emerged in the 14th century and by the 15th had become standard equipment for the knightly class across Western Europe, worn at the hip alongside the sword. Period effigies and monumental brasses show knights with a rondel at the belt so consistently that historians treat it as part of the complete harness of the late medieval man-at-arms.

The rondel was not only a knight's item. Merchants and townsmen wore them as everyday sidearms and status pieces, and the form remained in use into the 16th century. The disc guard and disc pommel that define the type gave the hand a secure, enclosed grip, and they give the rondel its instantly recognizable silhouette today: a clean line of blade, leather, and steel circles that displays beautifully alongside a longsword or arming sword.

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 352-layer Damascus with the pattern visible along the full length.
• Disc guard: The round steel plate between grip and blade, hammered-finish steel on this model, which defines the type and protects the hand.
• Grip: The ribbed, leather-wrapped handle sized for a single hand.
• Disc pommel: The matching round plate at the top of the grip, capped with a domed boss on this model, 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 Damascus blade is folded, shaped, heat treated, and sharpened by hand, then assembled with a full tang that runs through the grip and anchors at the pommel. 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 14 inches, the rondel is the natural companion to the swords of its era. It pairs with a longsword, arming sword, or bastard sword exactly as it did on the belts of 15th-century knights, completes a medieval display, and makes a distinctive gift at a smaller scale than a full sword. The one-of-a-kind Damascus pattern ensures no other collector owns the same blade.

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 Damascus 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.

How many layers does the Damascus blade have?

The blade is forged from 352 layers of Damascus steel. Our smiths start with 11 pieces of steel and fold the billet progressively until 352 alternating layers form the blade, producing the distinctive flowing pattern along the taper.

How long is this rondel?

This rondel measures 14 inches overall. Historical rondels commonly ranged from about 12 to 20 inches, placing this piece comfortably within 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 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 Damascus blade?

Keep the blade lightly oiled and store it in a dry environment. Damascus steel is high-carbon and not stainless, so a thin coat of mineral oil after handling prevents rust and preserves both the edge and the folded pattern. Avoid abrasive polishes, which can dull the contrast between layers.

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.