Malleus Martialis – Diestro Opera II Sidesword
In stock
$535.00
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- Every blade inspected before shipping
- 30-day returns
- Blade
- 51CrV4 High Carbon Spring Steel
- Overall Length
- 41 1/2"
- Brand
- Malleus Martialis
- Era
- Renaissance
Overview
Malleus Martialis - Diestro Opera II Sidesword
Combining agility, refined handling, and elegant Italian styling, the Diestro Sidesword from Italy's Malleus Martialis is a premium HEMA-optimized trainer ideally suited to the study of Bolognese and Destreza systems. Although designed for HEMA, it is equally well suited to SCA activities, reenactment, and stage combat. Classified as a High Flex model by Malleus Martialis, its blade has a flex rating of 6–9 kg and features a rounded, flared, and thickened tip for added safety. Weighing at about 2 lbs 6 oz, the Diestro is light and responsive, helping minimize fatigue during extended training sessions. Its balance point sits approximately 4 inches forward of the guard, complementing its agile character. Equally at home in the fencing hall or displayed in a sword collection, the Diestro combines practical training performance with the distinctive elegance of a traditional Italian sidesword.
The 35.5-inch blade is crafted from 51CrV4 high-carbon spring steel, tempered and finished to a hardness of 50 HRC. Its elaborate guard is constructed from heat-treated steel for strength and resilience, with widened side rings and knucklebow to accommodate protective fencing gloves. The 3-inch grip is tightly wrapped in burgundy cord, providing an attractive and tactile finish. The tang is formed from a single, strong piece of steel and threaded for assembly, securing the sword with a specially designed nut.
The Diestro incorporates Malleus Martialis' Modular Sword System, featuring a purpose-designed fastening nut that creates a strong, secure connection while incorporating a concealed slot for a hex key. This system allows the sword to be easily tightened, disassembled, and reassembled in minutes, providing convenient access to the tang for maintenance, blade replacement, or limited customization using compatible Malleus Martialis components. Two internal anti-vibration washers positioned beneath the pommel further help reduce hand shock and vibration transmitted through the hilt during impacts.
The Diestro Sidesword Op.II, or Opera Seconda, is the refined second edition of our classic Diestro and previous Agrippa. Brilliantly named by Maestro David Rawlings of the London Longsword Academy, the Diestro was designed for the Bolognese fencing tradition and serves as a versatile introduction to the Destreza system. After valuable feedback from our users, the Diestro has been completely reimagined while adhering to the core principles of the first model, offering a sidesword that is ergonomic, practical, and safe.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- Malleus Martialis
- Era
- Renaissance
- Edge
- Rebated
- Pommel
- Nut
- Overall Length
- 41 1/2"
- Blade Length
- 35 1/2"
- Blade
- 51CrV4 High Carbon Spring Steel
- P.O.B.
- 3 7/8"
- Thickness
- 6.3 mm - 2.8 mm - 5.6 mm (flared tip)
- Width
- 22 mm - 31 mm
- Grip Length
- 3 1/8"
- Country of Origin
- Italy
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The Maker
Malleus Martialis
We proudly ship our swords to over 80 countries, serving a diverse community of historical fencers, collectors, HEMA instructors, athletes, actors, and performers who share our passion for history and craftsmanship.
Malleus Martialis, swordsmiths based in Florence, Italy, revive the ancient “Art of Spadai” through the fusion of craftsmanship and design.
Studying and drawing inspiration from historical artifacts, sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, and ancient European swordsmanship treatises, we aim to reimagine the sword as a functional and aesthetic object, giving it a renewed purpose and significance in the modern era.
When we started in 2014, we knew nothing about business—just courage, grit, and a passion for what we do. Every setback taught us to learn, adapt, and keep going. We never settled.
Malleus Martialis was born in Florence, sparked by the determination of Rodolfo Tanara, who set up our first workshop in just 23 square meters in the historic district of Santo Spirito. At the time, he made a two-hour trip to the countryside of Umbria every weekend—the only way to carry out the forging process.
By 2015, we had moved to a new workshop in the Chiantishire, just outside Florence. There, we gained an unexpected team member—Commander Sampo, a fluffy and talkative alley cat. That same year, we attended the exhibition “The Sword: Thought and Form” held by the Klingenmuseum in Solingen, Germany.
Among the inspiring people we met was Peter Johnsson, whose words, “feed the spark,” written as a dedication in the exhibition catalog ignited a whole new chapter for us. There, we realized the sport sword could be reinterpreted in ways never explored by other makers.
In 2018, Eleonora Rebecchi officially joined Malleus Martialis as a designer. With her background in art, graphics, and photography, she brought a fresh perspective to sword-making, further shaping the identity and vision of Malleus Martialis.
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