Have you ever seen someone open a bottle of champagne with a sword? Well, you could learn how to do that yourself with a high-quality champagne saber that you can buy online!
What is a champagne sword or saber? It’s basically a short or long sword with a blunt, dull blade, and it is made for cutting the top of a champagne bottle so you don’t have to remove the cork. This is referred to as sabrage, and the technique uses the force of impact to open the bottle, so there’s no need for a sharp blade. Basically, you end up removing the lip and the cork, and you then pour the champagne from the neck of the bottle.
With sabrage, it’s all about technique and using the right type of bottle and champagne. Holding a very cold bottle at the correct angle, and knowing how to use the saber for the right amount of impact on the right spot, will ensure the bottle is opened successfully, no one is harmed, and you don’t spill most of the champagne everywhere either. You’ll want to learn this from an expert and do plenty of research so you’ll know how to do it right, and it may take some practice. But once you get the hang of things, you can use this trick to impress your friends and family at get-togethers and parties.
Fun fact: It is believed that sabrage dates all the way back to Napoleon’s time, when his troops would celebrate by slicing open champagne bottles with their swords while they were riding their horses.
Even if you don’t ever use a champagne sword for sabrage, it can still make a great conversation piece in your home. And it could also be a wonderful gift that you can give to a friend or family member who enjoys drinking champagne or who knows how to perform sabrage.
If you’re interested in buying a champagne saber for yourself or to give as a gift, you have a lot of options to choose from, but it’s wise to shop with care. To help you, we’ve compiled a list of swords that you can use to start your search, so check out the six products below.
1. Editor’s Choice: California Champagne Saber Company Sabrage Sword Edition Calistoga (Naturalwood)
The California Champagne Saber Company offers several swords, so you can select the one that suits your style best. This one is the natural wood version, but there’s also rosewood, blackwood, marble white, and electric blue that you can choose from. The blade is stainless steel, and the item measures 18.5” x 4.6” x 2.6”.
One of the selling points is that artisans hand forged the blade on this champagne sword. Basically, they cut the blade from a piece of steel, hand polish it, and then imprint the company’s logo on it. When it comes to the handle, it is hand cut and hand smoothed, and artisanal carpenters work on it as well. The wood for the handle comes from a single slab, and they work on smoothing, polishing, staining, and sealing it with varnish to protect it. Polished screws are used to attach the two pieces together, so you get a high-quality sword that isn’t only functional but also attractive in appearance.
This sword is designed in California, and every handle choice represents a city in the state’s wine country, so it’s nice to have a product that symbolizes something. We also like that this product comes in a pretty oak wood, engraved crate, so it can be stored away neatly in its own box. And, when you want to display the sword, you can use the crate as a stand.
Pros:
- Built to be attractive and durable
- Comes with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee
- Wood crate is made from sustainable oak
Cons:
- The display crate is a bit plain if you’re looking for a more striking way to show off your champagne sword
2. Runner Up: Resafy Champagne Saber with Golden Handle and Gift Case
The Resafy champagne saber is a beautiful centerpiece addition to your next dinner party. This champagne sabre comes equipped with a beautiful tassel and intricate gold-work in the shape of leaves surrounding its leather-wrapped handle. The blade itself is made through cold press blacksmithing coupled with modern welding technique and made of high-quality stainless steel. The whole package is supported with a brass hand-guard, including realistic parrying edge.
Resafy also includes several fantastic quality-of-life additions. The first of these is a life-time warranty. The second is the option for personalized engravings on either the box or the blade. All told, the blade measures 18-inches from guard to tip, or 23-inches long in total. Sous Vide Guy also really liked the box, which (provided it doesn’t break during shipping) acts as a great display case.
Pros
- Matching gold tassel and gold-thread decorated brass.
- Leather-wrapped handle and stainless-steel design.
- Life-time guarantee.
- Includes collector’s box and display sheath.
- Options available for engraving on both box and blade.
Cons
- Some reports of the box breaking during shipping.
3. Best Handmade: Laguiole en Aubrac Stainless Steel Champagne Saber
Made in France, this champagne sword features a stainless steel blade that is not sharpened, and the steel is strong and resistant to corrosion. It also boasts a solid sheep horn handle, and it has a simple yet elegant look, so it’s ideal for those who aren’t looking for anything extravagant.
What makes this product distinct from so many others on the market is the fact that a single master cutler works on this product.
As is the case with other champagne swords on this list, you will also get an attractive French wooden storage box with this product. This means you don’t need to worry about where you will keep your sword when it’s not being used.
Pros:
- This is an heirloom-quality saber that you can use to open champagne bottles in a dramatic fashion
- It is made in the Laguiole region of France, which is known for its beautifully made knives
- It is entirely handmade from start to finish
Cons:
- Weighs around 10 ounces so might be difficult for beginners to use it
- It has higher price tag than other champagne swords that are available
4. Best Pirate Sword: Berkel Elegance Champagne Sabre
Another interesting looking champagne sword — complete with curved blade and handle that make it look similar to the sword that a pirate would use — is this product from Berkel. It weighs around 1 pound, and it measures roughly 17.91” x 7.48” x 1.38”. The blade is stainless steel with a mirror satin finish, while the color of the handle is wenge, which is a dark wood.
Designed to be small and easy to use, you can utilize this sword to open your favorite bottles of champagne and sparkling wine, as it helps you achieve a clean cut. When not in use, it can be displayed as a part of your home décor, thanks to its striking appearance.
The gift box that this sword comes packaged in is pretty basic and plain, so it isn’t as elaborate as some other display/storage boxes that come with other champagne sabers, but it might be just what you need if you simply want a safe and secure place to store your sword.
Pros:
- This sword features a fun design that is sure to grab people’s attention when they see it in your home
- It is designed to be easy to use, so it might be a good option for those who are new to sabrage
Cons:
- It doesn’t come with a pretty display case like other swords do
5. Best Budget: Resafy Champagne Saber With Wooden Box
The Resafy Champagne Saber is yet another option that is low-key in terms of its design, but it certainly gets the job done when you want to open a bottle of bubbly. The stainless steel blade has a mirror stain finish, while the brown, wooden handle is thin with brass accents. The product is light and balanced, weighing around 0.62 pounds, and it measures roughly 18” x 4” x 1.8”.
This is a durable champagne sword that is designed to be easy to use, as the balance point is found right behind its blunt blade. When you need to store it away, you can place it in the wooden, 2-piece, slide-top box that it comes with.
Also, this champagne sword might be a good choice if it will be your first and you don’t have a lot of money to spend on it. The price is low compared to similar products that are available, so it might serve as a solid introduction to sabrage.
Pros:
- A simple yet attractive sword, it features the Resafy logo in the blade
- The handle features brass bolster and rivets
- This champagne sword comes with a lifetime guarantee
Cons:
- The box that it comes in might be lacking if you want to display this sword
6. Best Customizable: Custom Engraved | Personalized California Champagne Saber Company Sabre (Rosewood)
Do you wish you could have a champagne sword that you could customize and make truly your own? Then you’ll definitely want to look into what this product from the California Champagne Saber Company has to offer.
This sword boasts a variety of nice features. First off, it weighs roughly 9.8 ounces, and it measures roughly 17.5” x 3.75” x 1.75”. Secondly, the blade is hand forged and custom laser engraved with whatever text you choose. Also, the handle is cut, carved, and smoothed by artisanal carpenters.
You’ll also like that this champagne sword comes in an oak wood crate, which can double as a stand that you can use to proudly display your new sword with the rest of your home décor.
Pros:
- It is customizable, so you can have the sword blade engraved with whatever text you want
- This product comes with a lifetime guarantee for extra peace of mind
- It is made by skilled workers
- It can make a great gift to celebrate a special occasion
Cons:
- The design of both the sword and the case are simple, so if you’re looking for something that’s more unique, you might be disappointed
Things to look out for:
When shopping for a champagne sword, you want to be sure to purchase the highest quality product. After all, sabrage can be dangerous if not performed correctly and with the right type of saber. So, as you shop, keep the following in mind:
Aim to make your purchase from a reputable company that is known for its champagne sabers. You might need to pay a little more for a product that comes with a better guarantee of quality, but it will be worthwhile.
Read through a product’s details carefully to look for information about the materials that were used to make a champagne sword. It’s best to stick with those swords made from durable materials like steel. Also, look into where it was made and who made it. Generally, products made by reputable companies from places like Maniago, Italy are a good place to start.
If you are new to sabrage, you might want to purchase a sword that is a bit shorter in length. On the other hand, if you have been opening bottles in this manner for a long time, and you are confident in your abilities, you might want to experiment with a longer blade.
As is the case when shopping for any item online, it’s a great idea to read through customer reviews if they are available, and only purchase from trustworthy online sellers to avoid buying low-quality champagne swords.
Finally, remember that, when it comes to sabrage, a dull and flat blade is the way to go. So if you come across a champagne sword with a sharp blade, beware of its quality and claims.
FAQs
What is a champagne saber?
Champagne sabers have been around since the 1700’s. Generally speaking, sabers are best for performances at dinner. For those comfortable with a blade there’s no substitute for the pomp and ceremony of flawlessly removing a champagne cork.
What is the best champagne saber?
Although opinions vary, Sous Vide Guy found the [insert saber name] to be a stylish, comfortable tool for performing at parties. For a more affordable option we would also recommend the [insert saber name]. Remember, when purchasing a champagne saber you should consider grip comfort and blade weight as the two deciding factors.
How do you saber a bottle of champagne?
To saber a bottle of champagne you slide the blade along the body of the bottle, following the seam. This is the weakest point on the bottle, where the glass was closed in on itself. This will break the top of the neck away and lead to a fountain of champagne, and a convenient spigot for pouring champagne. Sabering works by moving pressure from the bottom of the bottle to the top to cleanly remove the top of the bottle at the seal. Remember! It’s important that the bottle has been thoroughly chilled, either overnight or in an ice-bath.
Can you saber a wine bottle with a champagne sword?
Sabering primarily relies on finding and exploiting the seam on a bottle of wine. As such, provided your bottle has a seam you can say with a fair amount of certainty that it’s sabre-safe. On that note, however, we do recommend following best practices when sabering – including chilling the wine if possible. In a pinch it’s also possible to use a butcher’s knife. Again, you generally want to use a blunt blade rather than something razor sharp.
Is sabering champagne bottles safe?
Champagne sabering should only be attempted by those with instruction, or prior experience. For instance, the uninitiated may think that sharp blade makes for an effective tool. This is not the case. Sabering open a bottle of champagne should be done cautiously and only by those with experience or a healthy amount of practice.