Sword Canes

Sword Canes: History, Design, and What to Look For When Buying

The sword cane reached its peak as a gentleman's concealed weapon in 18th and 19th century Europe, where the concealed blade of a cane was a broadly accepted exception to weapon regulations for the upper classes. Modern examples range from functional reproductions with genuine steel blades to decorative pieces where the concealment is the primary appeal.

Quality in a sword cane divides into three components: shaft quality (typically wood — rosewood, ebony, or decorative hardwoods — or metal), blade quality (display blades in stainless, functional blades in higher-carbon material), and locking collar quality (the mechanism that secures blade to shaft). All three need to work well for the cane to perform in either capacity.

Sword Cane Legality

Sword canes are regulated as concealed blades in most U.S. jurisdictions — the concealment aspect creates a different legal category than an openly carried sword. Check your state's specific concealed weapon statutes before carrying one in public. For display and collection use at home, no restrictions apply in most jurisdictions.