The Scimitar is the curved blade of Hammerfell, and Skyrim’s guards clearly have opinions about it. It deals 11 base damage at standard sword speed, the same punch as an Elven Sword, yet it is lighter than that blade and worth a mere 5 gold – not exactly a merchant’s dream.
It does not belong to any of the smithing tiers. You cannot forge one, and blacksmiths do not normally stock it, so getting one means taking it from someone who already has it. The good news is that it sharpens up nicely with a 
Steel Ingot, making it a stylish option for anyone roleplaying a Redguard sellsword.
Stats
| Type | Sword |
|---|---|
| Skill | One-handed |
| Material | Steel |
| Damage | 11 |
| Weight | 10 |
| Value | 5 gold |
| Speed | 1 |
| Reach | 1 |
| Stagger | 0.75 |
| Critical damage | 5 |
| Add-on | Base game |
| Item ID | 0007A91A |
Where to find
- Kematu and every Alik’r mercenary met during “In My Time of Need” carry one.
- Nazir wields one; take it in Destroy the Dark Brotherhood! or pickpocket it after joining the guild.
- Velehk Sain carries two once released via the Daedric Relic.
- Corsairs aboard the Dainty Sload.
- One lies under a boat between the Wreck of the Brinehammer and Dawnstar.
- Rayya (Hearthfire) carries two; another sits in the hull of the Wreck of the Strident Squall (Dragonborn).
Crafting and upgrading
This weapon cannot be crafted at a forge – you have to find, loot or buy it.
Improving at a grindstone: 1 × Steel Ingot. The Arcane Blacksmith perk doubles the improvement.
Compared with other swords
Base stats of all regular (unenchanted) swords in Skyrim, weakest first:
| Weapon | Damage | Weight | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Sword | 7 | 9 | 25 |
| Ancient Nord Sword | 8 | 12 | 13 |
| Imperial Sword | 8 | 10 | 23 |
| Silver Sword | 8 | 7 | 100 |
| Steel Sword | 8 | 10 | 23 |
| Orcish Sword | 9 | 11 | 75 |
| Dwarven Sword | 10 | 12 | 135 |
| Falmer Sword | 10 | 18 | 67 |
| Forsworn Sword | 10 | 13 | 70 |
| Blades Sword | 11 | 10 | 300 |
| Elven Sword | 11 | 13 | 235 |
| Honed Ancient Nord Sword | 11 | 15 | 23 |
| Nord Hero Sword | 11 | 9 | 135 |
| Nordic Sword | 11 | 12 | 290 |
| Scimitar | 11 | 10 | 5 |
| Skyforge Steel Sword | 11 | 10 | 70 |
| Glass Sword | 12 | 14 | 410 |
| Honed Falmer Sword | 12 | 18 | 205 |
| Ebony Sword | 13 | 15 | 720 |
| Stalhrim Sword | 13 | 14 | 985 |
| Daedric Sword | 14 | 16 | 1250 |
| Dragonbone Sword | 15 | 19 | 1500 |
Tips and notes
- Temper it with a Steel Ingot at a grindstone; the Steel Smithing perk doubles the improvement.
- Unique cousins: Windshear on the Katariah during or after Hail Sithis!, plus Bloodscythe and Soulrender, the paired blades of the pirate Haknir Death-Brand.
- Display quirk: if it goes second on a weapon rack or plaque it floats too high – place it first.
Stats from the Skyrim LE 1.9 master files (Skyrim.esm, record Scimitar). Values are base values before perks, smithing improvements and enchantments.
