Engraved Commemorative Wooden Sword

Engraved Commemorative Wooden Sword

Units have presented swords for generations. This version keeps the tradition and makes it personal. It is a shaped and sanded oak sword, sized like a short sword, with a pointed, beveled tip and a cross-guard in a darker contrasting hardwood.

The engraving tells the story. In the original, the blade reads “De Oppresso Liber,” the Special Forces motto, the cross-guard names the battalion and group, and the unit crest sits on the pommel. The grip is wrapped in olive drab paracord for a sure hold and a nod to the field. We can make the same piece for any unit, team, or occasion.

Features

• Paracord grip: tightly wrapped for a firm, comfortable hold.
• Laser engraving: motto on the blade, unit on the guard, crest on the pommel.

Make It Yours

• Blade text: a motto, a name, or a short phrase.
• Cross-guard text: unit designation, name, or dates.
• Pommel emblem: unit crest, branch emblem, or initials.
• Grip color: olive drab, black, coyote, or another paracord color.

Materials and Construction

The blade is cut from solid oak and shaped with a beveled point, then sanded smooth. The cross-guard is cut from a contrasting hardwood, shaped with angled ends, and fitted over the blade.

Engraving is done on our laser before final assembly. The grip is wrapped in paracord by hand, and the wood is finished with Walrus Oil Furniture Butter.

Specifications

• Grip: Hand-wrapped paracord
• Engraving: Blade, cross-guard, and pommel

The Story Behind This Piece

This sword was made as a farewell gift for a soldier in a Special Forces battalion. Their motto, “De Oppresso Liber” (“To Free the Oppressed”), runs down the blade, and the battalion’s designation is engraved across the guard. A plain prototype came first, to get the proportions right, and then the engraved version that was presented.

Care and Keeping

This piece has an oil and wax finish that lets the grain show and the wood feel like wood. Dust it with a soft, dry cloth, and wipe up spills soon after they happen. Keep it out of standing water, away from harsh cleaners, and out of long hours of direct sun, which can fade the color over time.

When the surface starts to look dry or dull, rub a small amount of furniture oil or wax into the wood with a clean cloth, let it sit a few minutes, and buff off the extra. Once or twice a year is plenty for most pieces.

Build Time, Shipping, and Delivery

Every piece is made to order. If you would like a digital proof of the layout and lettering before we build, ask for one in your order notes. Shipping time is in addition to the build time.

If you have a firm date, such as a retirement, birthday, or holiday, tell us when you order. We will tell you honestly whether we can meet it. We do not guarantee rush work.

We pack every piece carefully for the trip. The shipping cost is shown at checkout. For orders of $75 or more within 25 miles of Charleston, West Virginia, free local delivery is available. We are a private shop, so we do not offer pickup or workshop visits.

Good to Know

• No two are alike: wood grain, color, knots, and figure vary from board to board, so your piece will not match these photos exactly. That variation is the mark of a handmade piece, not a defect.
• These photos show a piece we made earlier: yours is built new, to your details.
• Logos and insignia: for unit crests, team or school logos, and other protected marks, tell us what you need and send proof of permission when you have it. We will tell you plainly whether we can take it on.
• Personalized pieces are final sale: because they are built to your details, custom and personalized items cannot be returned. If anything arrives damaged, contact us with photos of the piece and packaging and we will make it right.
• Sales tax: West Virginia sales tax applies to orders delivered in West Virginia.