The ammo is going to run out eventually, then what are you going to do? Well, maybe turn to the RMJ Tactical Gladius. Sharpened steel never runs dry. If you like your EDC blades super sized, check out the latest limited RMJ drop from DLT Trading.
The RMJ Gladius
Okay, if you’re reading TTAG then maybe your ammo will never run dry, but that doesn’t mean swords still aren’t cool. Especially when they’re made by RMJ Tactical. RMJ Tactical is well known for top-quality, well thought out designs. While most of those probably are a little more practical for field and EDC use, they’ve also done some pretty whimsical pieces over the years as well. That doesn’t mean that they aren’t fully functional though.
RMJ is working with DLT Trading to do a limited release of their Gladius design. RMJ takes the traditional Roman Gladius, probably one of the most efficient sword designs out there (I know, those are fighting words for some sword nerd out there) and updates it with thoroughly modern materials and details.
RMJ’s Gladius is made from Crucible CPM 3V steel, which is extremely tough and wear resistant. Unlike a lot of sword shaped objects on the market, theirs comes with a razor-sharp grind. You may not get into a lot of CQB situations where you need a short sword, but if you do, the RMJ Gladius is fully capable of handling them.
The Gladius has a blade just over 21 inches in length and is around 28 inches in overall length. It’s a full-tang design built around a .185-inch thick slab of CPM 3V. The blade has a needle like point and a full-length fuller to reduce weight. The handle scales are made from G10 and mimic that age old, time proven Gladius handle design.
The Gladius is available with a black Cerakote blade with either black or urban camoG10 scales, or a burnt bronze Cerakote blade with black or OD green G10 handles. Befitting the precision build quality of the sword itself is a handcrafted leather sheath that any Roman legionnaire would have been proud to carry.
Because this isn’t your ordinary back country chopper, the Gladius comes packaged in a custom crate, that you’ll need a Phillips screwdriver to open. If you’ve decided to go all in on the sword, you’ll savor that extra time it takes you to unscrew the box, rather than just ripping open some cardboard like a kid at Christmas.
If you think that all of these custom touches come at a price, you’d be right. The RMJ Gladius goes for a cool $1,500. That’s a lot of scratch for any blade, but you’re getting the premium 21st Century version of the world’s preeminent battle blade, and you’ll never have to pay for ammo for it either. If you’re interested, this is a limited run available only from DLT Trading, and they’ll probably sell out fast.
RMJ Gladius Specifications:
Overall Length: 27.875 in. (708mm)
Blade Length: 21.4375 in. (545mm)
Blade Thickness: .185 in. (5mm)
Blade Steel: CPM 3V
Blade Finish: Cerakote
Handle Material: G-10
Weight: 34.9 oz.
MSRP: $1,500 
Now all you need is a Roman Eagle-blazoned body-size ballistic shield to go with it.
Nice.
It is cool, but I don’t know what I’d do with it except hang it on a wall. Still, just wanting something is reason enough to own it if you can.
“Sell your cloak. Buy a sword”: Jesus Christ. Golly I have a machete & a lethal long knife with an 8″ blade. That’ll do for now🙄
Joel 3:10 from KJV: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
“He said to them, ‘But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” Luke 22:36
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” Isaiah 6:8
“Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” Psalm 144:1
“Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.” Proverbs 24:11
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”Matthew 5:9
And Nehemiah Chapter 4, in which numerous statements are made regarding the Israelites rebuilding the walls and environs of old Jerusalem with the materials in one hand and a weapon in another, to protect themselves from the local lord (low king) who hated what they were doing and sought to stop them at any cost.
God’s people were well armed, from the guards all the way down to the individual families. Everyone had a weapon with which to protect themselves.
“…each had his weapon, even when he went for water.”
– Neh 4:23
These days, the equivalent would be carbines, rifles, shotguns, and pistols. After the AR and the handgun, throw in a cheap sword.
May they blade chip and shatter.
Umm, at that price?
Thy
For a sword, it is a bit higher than other real swords on the market, the increased cost due to the high cost steel being used. It really is no harder than a properly heat treated carbon steel blade.
In the highly unlikely event you encounter someone carrying a real fighting sword (ie, with an effective hilt and probably longer) whilst packing a gladius, run! You will likely die if you do not.
Also run if you are carrying a gladius and come across someone with a Glock or other firearm. 😉
The hiltless swords of the ancients were meant to work in conjunction with a shield. Minus the shield, they are not much good for fighting. I have no idea what the modern appeal is…
I look at this thing and flash back to one of my college professors who taught Roman history. He would tell tales of battles and individual combat of the warriors who used theses weapons and comment extensively how much of a bad ass that a veteran soldier would have to be to survive.
The standard term was 20 years. The Roman army was an infantry based combined arms force. They were well ahead of their time.
Instead of spending $1500 on this, you could just get a sub $50 gladius off Amazon that has 90%+ of the functionality of this piece (and several thousand rounds of ammo for your rifle). For a basic melee weapon, and old Mosin with a bayonet beats this by a long shot.
Anybody that paid for one of these will never see it delivered. Your money is gone and you’re not going to get it back.
You accusing those of chicomland of being thieves, shysters and hustlers? Surely couldn’t be!
Oh, I’d like to have one. Just a bit much for me to get one. Half that price, I might make a move.
This is not a “real sword” but a sword like object. Sure it will cut and be tough, it is made out of a high end steel. But real swords pay attention to details such as balance and point of impact, etc. One particular aspect of real swords that affects handling is distal taper–the blade gets thinner as it approaches the tip. Without distal taper, the sword will be unwieldy, slow, and tiring to use. Plus swords that are thinner at the tip cut far better.
Separately, this is a Pompeian style Gladius which, although popular and widely employed, was less effective than other designs as it was basically a thrusting sword, not a cut and thrust design. It was not particularly effective in overhand cuts, and its long triangular tip was prone to breaking off.
There are many reputable sword manufacturers that build far more accurate reproductions out of high quality carbon steels that cost half or less than this item.
I do not have a sword. I do however have a decent quality machete. And a Ka Bar.
I have six and a Civil War Colt saber bayonet. One of the swords is a French artillery sword, a very similar pattern to the one used by Union artillery troops in the Civil War, and which was modeled off the gladius. In an age where the common saber length was 32 to 36″, the artillery sword was generally considered to be useless for anything more than cutting fuses.
Oops, I see now you already knew that. Sorry to bother you.
I have a son that cannot shoot. He could not hit himself in the foot if he tried. Sad but true. Handguns are right out for him.
His home defense combo is a short shotgun and a 1917 model US Navy cutlass.
Hmm, $1500 each – sure I’ll take a dozen (NOT) – my Cold Steel version for which I paid around 50 bucks will just have to do. Of course it was advertised as a ‘machete’ so I guess the authenticity went out the window………………it might not be as pretty as this one but it ain’t a wall hanger either.
“Hmm, $1500 each – sure I’ll take a dozen (NOT)”
For $1,500, I could buy a small pile of ammo and seal it up in ammo cans…
Like the GLADIUS, but $1500! For about 99.8% of the folks buying this Gladius, it will spend its life mainly hanging on the wall, as a conversation piece. Too bad. A 1085 or O-1 steel version, properly heat treated, would be a less expensive version, and something folks would not be afraid to use in the field. Unlike the 1917 Navy Cutlass, which can be used for other purposes, the Gladius is an up close and personal weapon of warfare. For the Army or Marines – great replacement for a bayonet. It is a shame that our military is too civilized to allow our troops to have a Gladius.
🤨…..Gaaayy.
I can picture your stereotypical weirdo walking around town with that.
I think I’ll pass over that in favor of a $200 Hogue Ritter RSK.