{"product_id":"ares-xiphos-sword-with-damascus-guard-and-ball-pommel-handle","title":"Ares Xiphos Sword with Damascus Guard and Ball Pommel Handle","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDamascus 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. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis Xiphos sword for sale measures 16 inches from tip to pommel. That puts it in the short sword range rather than full sword length.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAres Sword at\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/divineknives.us\/\"\u003e Divine Knives\u003c\/a\u003e features a Damascus guard matching the blade, a green accent band, stacked wood and brass rings, and a rounded ball pommel.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe History Behind This Greek Xiphos Sword\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGreek 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAres Xiphos Sword Performance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoth 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduct Type: Single double-edged xiphos-style short sword\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlade Material: Forged Damascus steel, folded layers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlade Pattern: Flowing wood grain with contour swirls\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlade Finish: Acid-etched, medium contrast over satin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlade Shape: Elongated leaf profile, double-edged, raised central spine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 16 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlade Length: 11 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandle Length: 5 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlade Width at Widest Point: 1.7 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandle Build: Seven-part stack from guard to pommel cap\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandle Material: Dark hardwood grip sections and ball pommel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGuard: Damascus, flat oval, matched to the blade billet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpacer Rings: Three brass rings plus one green accent band\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePommel: Rounded wooden ball with brass cap\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePins: None\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTang: Hidden tang, drawn tight at the pommel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEdge: Full grind on both edges, hand-sharpened.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAres Xiphos Design and Construction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeven 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBest Uses for the Greenband Xiphos\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGreek 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrder the Greenband Sword today. A Damascus guard matched to its own blade is uncommon at this size.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFAQ’s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long is this piece exactly?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt runs 16 inches overall with an 11-inch blade. That places it in short sword range, not full sword length.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many parts make up the handle?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeven, counting the guard and the pommel cap. Each threads onto the tang before the stack tightens.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is the guard Damascus and not brass?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe guard came from the same billet as the blade. Matching the pattern across both takes an extra forging step.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is this different from the Bluestone Xiphos dagger?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Bluestone is a polished plain steel dagger with a resin handle. This is a Damascus short sword with a stacked wood handle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the blade sharpened on both edges?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYes. A full grind runs both edges from the guard to the point.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Divine Knives","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56197547229489,"sku":"sku-52835510124831","price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/4680\/3761\/files\/B584BFC2-FE57-4517-8F2A-3530160CBEE1.jpg?v=1788974523","url":"https:\/\/selfrescuetactical.com\/products\/ares-xiphos-sword-with-damascus-guard-and-ball-pommel-handle","provider":"Self Rescue Tactical ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}