Please Note: The handle is no longer varnished, but is of polished wood. This version of the Baladay Scimitar has been embellished with etched design onto its brass crossguard and pommel. The unsharpened blade is crafted from stainless steel and the grip is of polished wood. This sword will balance edge-up making it good for belly dancing – just to be sure we test the balance of each sword before shipping it to you. The scimitar comes with a black leather sheath with buttoned retaining straps. – This sword is a Kult of Athena exclusive! The Persian term for a curved sword such as the scimitar is shamshir – it means lions tail.