The Real Assassin’s Creed Hidden Blade and Pirates Cutlass

The Assassin’s Creed hidden blade is one of the most iconic weapons in video game history.

It’s a staple of the franchise, and for good reason – it’s pretty damn cool. It’s sleek, it’s beautiful, and in the hands of a skilled assassin like Altair, Ezio, or Black Flag’s Edward Kenway, it’s deadly. There’s just one little issue: it’s not real.

Forging a Real Hidden Blade (and Pirates Cutlass)

I know, I know… that’s not a particularly legitimate problem. The world is absolutely riddled with implements of death, and yet I still find weapons like the hidden blade beautiful, if for no other reason than the craftsmanship and artistry that went into it.

Whatever the reasons, people absolutely love this thing, and it seems that master sword-smith Tony Swatton has taken note. Rather, hundreds or even thousands of people pestered him to make a working hidden blade, so he did.

How do you create a hidden blade?

I was lucky enough to attend a high-school that actually offered a full metalworking class, complete with a wide range of welding equipment and even a forge! To this day Mr. Clarks’ class is still one of my most memorable, and watching Tony Swatton work brought back a lot of good memories. I forged screwdrivers and spot welded lunch boxes, but still.

Now, you may have noticed that I’ve said little about the pirates cutlass also prominently featured in the video. You’re right, and that’s kind of funny given that Man at Arms’ is known for re-creating swords from games, and creating original ones for movies and television. That’s also the reason I haven’t said much about it. Though it’s beautiful and undoubtedly well crafted, I still find the hidden blade a lot more exciting given that it’s not Tony’s usual fare.

In any case, if you’re interested in seeing more of Tony Swatton’s work, then you’re in luck – he’s done hundreds upon hundreds of swords.