Military Sword Knots Supplier

Nice — here’s a compact, useful guide to sword knots (what they are, types,
measurements, how to attach/tie, care, and buying/custom options). If you
want photos or patterns for a specific army/period, tell me which and I’ll
narrow it down.

What a sword knot is

A sword knot is a decorative functional lanyard attached to a sword’s hilt.
Historically it prevented loss in combat; today it’s mostly ceremonial — a
unit/branch/rank identifier and ornament.

Common types

Leather knot / thong — simple loop of leather used on many sabres and
bayonets.

Bullion (wire) knot — wrapped metallic threads (gold/silver/mylar) with a
decorative acorn or tassel; common in dress uniforms.

Acorn knot — bullion with a solid “acorn” tassel at the end (very common
for officers).

Tassel/bobble knot — braided yarn or silk ending in a tassel.

Braided lanyard — narrower, cord-type, often for enlisted or specialty
units.

Typical materials

Leather (cowhide, veg-tanned)

Silk, rayon, cotton (tassels)

Bullion wire (real metal wire or mylar/polyester for modern cheaper
versions)

Core may be cotton or cord for structure

Typical sizes & measurements

Loop diameter (to fit hilt/ring): 25–35 mm (1–1⅜ in) depending on fitting
method.

Overall length (knot + tassel): 200–350 mm (8–14 in) from loop base to
tassel tip for sabre-sized knots.

Acorn/tassel diameter: 25–45 mm (1–1¾ in) depending on style.

(If you want exact sizing for a particular sword/hilt, tell me the hilt
ring diameter and I’ll give precise specs.)

How they attach / how to fit

Pass the loop over the sword pommel or through the hilt slot (depending on
design).

On sabres with a guard ring: loop through the ring and pull knot body
through the loop so it cinches (like a lark’s head).

For leather thongs, often just tie around the crossguard or pommel stud.

Ensure knot sits snugly without interfering with grip or cutting edge
movement.

How to tie (simple lark’s head / loop method)

Fold the knot’s loop and pass loop end through the hilt ring.

Pull the entire knot body through the loop.

Dress the tassel so it hangs correctly and the acorn faces outward.

Care & maintenance

Bullion/metallic: store flat or hang to avoid crushing; brush gently and
spot-clean with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid moisture.

Silk/cotton tassels: gentle hand wash in mild detergent if needed; reshape
while damp.

Leather: condition lightly with leather dressing; avoid saturating.

Store in acid-free tissue or hang in a dry place away from sunlight.

Common colors & meanings (general)

Gold/silver bullion: officers / ceremonial.

Branch colors: armies often use specific colors for regiments, corps or
rank — e.g., royal blue, scarlet, black, etc. (meanings vary by service and
country).

Where to buy / commission

Specialist military surplus and ceremonial uniform suppliers (online and
regional).

Custom embroidery / bullionwork workshops can reproduce historic knots
(good for exact period pieces).
If you want, I can list reputable suppliers or write specifications for a
maker — tell me country/era/style.

Need patterns, restoration steps, or photos?

I can:

Give step-by-step stitching/wrapping instructions to make a bullion/acorn
knot.

Provide restoration tips for damaged bullion or crushed tassels.

Show photos or period-accurate examples for a specific army (I can fetch
images if you want).

Which of those would you like next — measurements for a particular sword, a
DIY pattern, restoration tips, or examples for a country/era?

Minimum Order: 100 pieces

Click to Enlarge