How to Mount a Sword on the Wall: 4 Ways

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Learn how to hang your sword horizontally as well as vertically

Co-authored by Jeff Huynh and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: March 23, 2026 Fact Checked

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Using Hooks

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Using a Sword Hanger

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Using Drywall Anchors

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Using Command Hooks

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Video

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Things You'll Need

Hanging swords on the wall is a great way to show off your sword collection, and there are so many unique ways to display them. In this article, we’ll teach you how to hang your sword horizontally on hooks or vertically on a sword hanger. We'll also explain how to install drywall anchors if you want to hang your sword without finding a stud, as well as how to apply Command hooks if you don't want to make any holes in the wall.

How do you hang a sword on the wall?

Screw sword-hanging hooks or stainless steel L-hooks into the studs in the wall with a drill. If you don't own a stud finder or want to hang your sword where there's no stud, install a drywall anchor and screw the hook into it. To leave no holes, hang your sword with Command Heavyweight hooks.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Hanging Your Sword Horizontally on Hooks

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1
Locate the studs on the wall where you're hanging your sword with a stud finder. One stud will support the hook that will hold up the end of your blade, and the other stud will hold up the hilt at the other end. Turn on your stud finder and drag it across the surface of your wall. Wait for the indicator light to flash or your stud finder to beep. Draw an "X" on each of the 2 studs with a pencil to mark them.^{[1]
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- If you can't find a stud, you don't have a stud finder, or you want to hang it where there are no studs, professional handyman Jeff Huynh says to use a drywall anchor instead.^{[2]
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  Jeff Huynh
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Mark the wall with a pencil where the hooks holding the sword will go. Hold the sword horizontally against the wall and choose the location that you like best. Once you find your desired location, mark the tip and end of the sword on the wall with a pencil. Make sure your marks are also on studs.
- To make your sword a focal point of the room, hang it in the center of a wall, above a fireplace mantle, or over a long piece of furniture, like a couch or a credenza.
- To hang several swords horizontally, decide how far apart in inches (or centimeters) you want the swords to be before you make your marks. Measure that distance with a tape measure, so your marks will be more accurate and the swords will look evenly arranged when they're mounted.
- Pro tip: Ask a friend or family member to either hold up the sword so you can make sure it's level, or stand at a distance while you hold the sword against the wall. That way, you can ensure the sword is straight and parallel with the baseboard when you make your pencil marks.
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Screw 2 wall-mounted hooks in the studs over your pencil marks. Line up the screw holes in the hook mount with one of your pencil marks on the wall. Use a drill to drive the screw through the hole in the mount and into the stud in the wall until the head of the screw is flush with the mount. Repeat this process with the other hook.^{[3]
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- Sword-hanging hooks or stainless steel L-hooks are your best options. If you opt for L-hooks, cut small sections of thin rubber tubing and thread them over the hooks. This will help protect the sword from rubbing against the metal in the hook and oxidizing. Most sword-hanging hooks already come covered with tubing or a special coating to prevent oxidation from occurring.
- Drive a pilot hole with a drill bit if you're using threaded hooks. If your hooks have threaded ends instead of a plate and screw, home improvement specialist Kevin Schlosser says to pre-drill the holes for the hooks.^{[4]
  X
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  Kevin Schlosser
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  Expert Interview} Use a drill bit that’s smaller than the end of your hooks. Next, drive the drill bit into the wall at your pencil mark. Lastly, hand-screw the ends of the threaded hooks into the pre-drilled pilot holes.^{[5]
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Place your sword on top of the hooks. You can hang your sword with or without the sheath, but keeping the blade in the sheath will help prevent oxidation and tarnishing. Place the sword hilt on one hook and the tip of the blade on the other hook. You’ve now successfully hung your sword horizontally using hooks!^{[6]
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- Pro tip: Keep your display room well air-conditioned if you live in an area with high humidity levels. According to historical weapons experts Nicole and Lee Smith, anything metal that's exposed to humidity will rust fast.^{[7]
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  Nicole and Lee Smith
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Hanging Your Sword Vertically on a Sword Hanger

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1
Use sword wall hangers to display your swords vertically or diagonally. Many sword wall hangers are made specifically to display swords vertically or diagonally. They hold up the hilt only, leaving the rest of the blade hanging down unsupported. Read the product description to make sure that the hanger is the right size and has a high enough weight capacity for your sword.^{[8]
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- Larger, heavier swords, like a claymore or a bastard sword, require larger hangers. A smaller hanger is sufficient for small swords like a katana or a sabre.
- If you're not sure how heavy your sword is, weigh it on a scale. You can also read the product description to find the weight details, provided you purchased it from an online or in-store retailer.
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Use a stud finder to locate a stud in the wall. If you aren't using drywall anchors, you'll want to secure your hanger to a stud in your wall. Turn on your stud finder and drag it across the surface of the wall until it beeps or the light changes color. Mark the wall with a pencil where you want to place the hanger that will hold your sword.^{[9]
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- You may have to hold your sword up against the wall again to see what it will look like.
3
Screw the hanger bracket into the wall with a drill. Line the screws up with the holes in the mount and use a drill to drive the screws into the stud. Drive the screws until they sit flush with the hanger bracket.^{[10]
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- If you're hanging your sword diagonally, tilt the hanger in the direction that you want the sword tip to point in before screwing it in.
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Set your sword hilt inside the hanger. Hang the sword so that the crossguard rests on top of the sword hanger. Most hangers can be adjusted smaller or larger, depending on the sword you’re trying to hang.^{[11]
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- If your sword is loose, take the sword off the hanger and tighten the screws in the hanger.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Hanging Your Sword with Drywall Anchors

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1
Hold the hook or hanger mount against the wall and mark the location. Hold the mount where you want to hang the sword and mark the screw holes with a pencil or create an indent with a screw. This will let you know where you need to make the holes for your drywall anchors.^{[12]
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- If you're hanging your sword diagonally, hold the mount at an angle as you mark it.
- Caution: Avoid using drywall anchors if your sword is heavier than 40 lb (18 kg). Secure the mount on studs instead.
Read the product description to determine which size drill bit you should use. Hold the drill firmly against the wall where you marked, then carefully press the trigger and keep the drill as straight as possible as you drill through the drywall.^{[13]
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Tap the drywall anchors into the holes and screw in the mount. Push the drywall anchors into the holes. If the drywall anchors are sticking out, lightly tap them with a hammer to push them in.^{[14]
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Research source} Finally, screw the hooks or mount screws into the anchors to secure the sword hanger or hooks to the wall, and hang up your sword.
- Pro tip: Use drywall anchors that fit the screw size that came with your wall hanger or hooks.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Hanging Your Sword Using Command Strips

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1
Wipe down the wall with rubbing alcohol. Pour a little rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball or microfiber cloth and wipe down the area where you want to hang your sword. Wait for it to dry completely before applying the Command strips.^{[15]
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- Don't skip this step! If your wall has dust, dirt, or grime built up on it, the Command strips may not fully adhere to it. This increases the chance that the hooks will fall and take your sword with them!
2
Hold your sword up to the wall and make pencil marks for the hooks. Decide how you want to orient your sword, as well as where you want it to hang on the wall. Then make a pencil mark at each point where you plan to install a Command hook.
- Use 2 Command Heavyweight utility hooks to hang your sword. If you're hanging it horizontally, one hook will support the tip of the blade while the other supports the hilt. If you want to hang your sword vertically, you can do so as long as the hilt has a crossguard. In that case, position 2 hooks on either side of the crossguard. Measure the width of the blade first, so you can space the hooks far enough apart.
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Peel the backing from a Command hook and press it over the pencil mark. When you apply the Command strip, take care that it's straight and oriented in your desired direction before it makes contact with the wall. Then, press it and hold it in place with firm pressure for at least 30 seconds. Repeat the same process with the second hook.
- Caution: Check the weight capacity of your Command hooks before you buy them and make sure they can hold up your sword without a problem. The extra-large hooks can hold up to 15 lb (6.8 kg). Fortunately, most real swords or sword replicas weigh less than 10 lb (4.5 kg)!
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Let the Command strip cure for 1 hour before hanging your sword. You're probably excited to hang your sword as soon as possible, but waiting 1 hour after attaching the Command Strips is critical! Giving it time to cure ensures that the bond is strong, so the hooks can hold your sword up without falling off the wall. When the hour is up, you can finally (and safely) put your sword on display!^{[16]
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- How to remove Command hooks: First, take the sword off the hooks. Next, pull the tab at the bottom of each Command strip straight down using firm, consistent pressure. After the strips are removed, the hooks should come off the wall easily.