Ares Xiphos Sword with Damascus Guard and Ball Pommel Handle

The Ares Xiphos Sword builds its handle from seven separate parts. Nothing here was carved from one block. Wood, brass, a green band, and a ball pommel thread on in order. Tightening the pommel locks the whole stack solid.

Damascus runs the blade in flowing wood grain layers. Bands twist and fold through the full length. The guard carries the same pattern in a matching oval. Both came out of the same forged billet. This Xiphos sword for sale measures 16 inches from tip to pommel. That puts it in the short sword range rather than full sword length.

Ares Sword at Divine Knives features a Damascus guard matching the blade, a green accent band, stacked wood and brass rings, and a rounded ball pommel.

The History Behind This Greek Xiphos Sword

Greek smiths fitted xiphos handles from separate materials. Wood, bone, and horn were each shaped and threaded onto the tang. That method predates the one-piece grip by many centuries. Ares stood among the twelve Olympians of Greek myth and legend. Divine Knives borrows the name for this stacked handle build.

Ares Xiphos Sword Performance

The ball pommel works as a counterweight. Steel sits ahead of your hand, and wood sits behind it. That mass at the rear pulls the balance back toward the grip. An 11-inch blade stays manageable in one hand because of it.

Both edges run a full grind from guard to point. A raised spine line runs the center on both faces. Etched Damascus reads best under angled light. Turn the blade slowly, and the layers move. A thin coat of oil holds off spotting in storage.

Specifications

• Product Type: Single double-edged xiphos-style short sword
• Blade Material: Forged Damascus steel, folded layers
• Blade Pattern: Flowing wood grain with contour swirls
• Blade Finish: Acid-etched, medium contrast over satin
• Blade Shape: Elongated leaf profile, double-edged, raised central spine
• Overall Length: 16 inches
• Blade Length: 11 inches
• Handle Length: 5 inches
• Blade Width at Widest Point: 1.7 inches
• Handle Build: Seven-part stack from guard to pommel cap
• Handle Material: Dark hardwood grip sections and ball pommel
• Guard: Damascus, flat oval, matched to the blade billet
• Spacer Rings: Three brass rings plus one green accent band
• Pommel: Rounded wooden ball with brass cap
• Pins: None
• Tang: Hidden tang, drawn tight at the pommel
• Edge: Full grind on both edges, hand-sharpened.

Ares Xiphos Design and Construction

Seven pieces sit between the guard and the pommel top. Dark wood takes the two longest sections of the grip. A green band breaks the middle and catches the eye first. Brass rings sit on either side of it and again at each joint.

The pommel rounds off into a wooden ball with a brass cap. Damascus forms the guard in a flat oval at the ricasso. A hidden tang runs through everything and draws it tight. Nothing is pinned or glued along the way. Wipe the brass with a dry cloth and skip the polish.

Best Uses for the Greenband Xiphos

Greek antiquity collections are the natural home here. The stacked handle rewards a close look on a stand. Collectors buy Ares Xiphos-style sword pieces for the pattern and the fittings. Classics students and museum shop buyers form the rest of the market. It marks a graduation or a milestone well.

Order the Greenband Sword today. A Damascus guard matched to its own blade is uncommon at this size.

FAQ’s

How long is this piece exactly?

It runs 16 inches overall with an 11-inch blade. That places it in short sword range, not full sword length.

How many parts make up the handle?

Seven, counting the guard and the pommel cap. Each threads onto the tang before the stack tightens.

Why is the guard Damascus and not brass?

The guard came from the same billet as the blade. Matching the pattern across both takes an extra forging step.

How is this different from the Bluestone Xiphos dagger?

The Bluestone is a polished plain steel dagger with a resin handle. This is a Damascus short sword with a stacked wood handle.

Is the blade sharpened on both edges?

Yes. A full grind runs both edges from the guard to the point.