Wooden Roman Gladius

Not only were wooden swords used by Gladiators for training, but if he survived the arena and lived long enough to retire, a symbolic wooden gladius, or rudis, was awarded as a token of discharge and freedom. Our practice sword is made of solid steamed beechwood with a darker contrasting stain on the pommel and hilt. Fully seasoned, it can take the abuse of sparring, even edge-to-edge, although wood can break along the grain.