Published Feb 12, 2026, 12:45 PM EST
Craig began contributing to Screen Rant in 2016 and has been ranting ever since, mostly to himself in a darkened room. After previously writing for various outlets, Craig's focus turned to TV and film, where a steady upbringing of science fiction and comic books finally became useful. Craig has previously been published by sites such as Den of Geek.
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The Lord of the Rings is filled with famous swords, from Aragorn's reforged Narsil to the blade known as Glamdring, wielded by both Turgon and Gandalf. Most swords in Middle-earth, however, would be fairly useless against Sauron. Narsil cut Sauron's fingers (and shattered in the process), but the real damage on that occasion was caused not by the sword itself, but by losing the One Ring.
In any case, Sauron gradually restored his power after the Narsil incident. Clearly, killing Sauron permanently isn't as easy as shoving the business end of a sword through his stomach, and that's why Frodo works so hard to toss the One Ring into Mount Doom.
In the folly of his pride, Sauron forged an artifact bound to his life force, creating a weakness to be exploited. If the Ring had never been made, no being in Middle-earth would have been able to end Sauron. Unless, that is, they were carrying one particular weapon.
Gurthang: The Sword That Could Have Killed Sauron
Gurthang's story begins in Middle-earth's First Age with an elf known as Eöl. An outlier among his people, Eöl was a dark elf who excelled at smithery and enhanced his skills through connections with the Dwarves - a benefit of existing beyond accepted elf culture. Eöl forged a special black metal from which he made the sword Anglachel.
As well as being expertly designed, we can assume Anglachel possessed enchanted qualities. Eöl was skilled with elf magic, but Tolkien also described Anglachel as a sentient entity with a ceaseless thirst for blood, largely thanks to Eöl's own inner darkness. In later years, the blade would even whisper to its owner.
Anglachel was given to the elven-king Thingol as a sort of one-time rent payment, then Thingol passed it to Beleg, one of his greatest warriors, and after Beleg's death, the sword fell to his friend Túrin Turambar from the race of Men. It was with Túrin that the weapon became reborn as Gurthang.
Gurthang's most notable feat was killing the very first dragon created by Morgoth, Glaurung, who would have made Smaug look like a puppy. Alas, the sword's evil curse continued, and was ultimately used by Túrin to take his own life.
What Makes Gurthang Stronger Than Other Swords In The Lord Of The Rings
Just from a smith's perspective, Gurthang is already an exemplary sword in The Lord of the Rings' lore. Combined with its sinister aura, it boasted qualities no other blade shared. Gurthang was so strong, in fact, Tolkien included it in a prophecy that revealed the fate of all Middle-earth.
In the original version of The Silmarillion, the Dagor Dagorath described a final battle at the end of the world - a battle in which Morgoth would return and the entire host of Valar would rise to meet him in a war unlike anything seen prior in The Lord of the Rings. According to this prophecy, Morgoth would finally be defeated by a returned Túrin Turambar, who would pierce the villain with Gurthang.
Since the prophecy specified Túrin himself had to be doing the piercing, the warrior was likely just as important as the sword itself. Still, if Gurthang had enough oomph to utterly destroy Morgoth, and Morgoth's power far eclipsed Sauron's, it stands to reason that Gurthang also would have made light work of the Third Age's Dark Lord.
If Gurthang in Túrin's hand could kill Morgoth, it seems reasonable to speculate that Gurthang in Aragorn's hand would have slayed Sauron.
Why Didn't The Fellowship Reforge Gurthang In The Lord Of The Rings
Since the shards of Gurthang were buried with Túrin, it's fair to ask why the sword can't simply be recovered during The Lord of the Rings. We can assume records of Gurthang's burial place were made, but the grave is located on an island off the coast of Lindon, meaning someone would be required to sail across, dig it up, and sail back, all while Sauron gathers his strength.
It's also important to realize that the Dagor Dagorath's prophecy isn't necessarily known to anyone during The Lord of the Rings' timeline, not even Gandalf. The only character in The Lord of the Rings who is suggested to possess knowledge of this upcoming final battle between good and evil is Tom Bombadil.
Gurthang's importance isn't necessarily apparent, and with the shards of Narsil - a sword Elrond actually witnessed cutting Sauron - already in their possession, it makes far more sense to put hope in Elendil's old sword rather than Túrin Turambar's.
But the most definitive reason Gurthang can't be considered as a serious means of killing Sauron in The Lord of the Rings is the simple practicality of using it. For all Gurthang's power, someone (likely Aragorn) would need to get close enough to Sauron's physical form to actually strike him. Without his Ring, Sauron isn't leaving Barad-dûr, so stabbing him with Gurthang would require overthrowing the armies of Mordor just to access the main stronghold.
As unlikely as it sounds, destroying the One Ring is actually a far easier option for The Lord of the Rings' heroes than breaking down the doors of Barad-dûr and prodding Sauron with Gurthang.
Created by J.R.R. Tolkien
Character(s) Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, Legolas, Boromir, Sauron, Gollum, Samwise Gamgee, Pippin Took, Celeborn, Aragorn, Galadriel, Bilbo Baggins, Saruman, Aldor, Wormtongue, Thorin Oakenshield, Balin Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin, Nori, Dori, Ori, Tauriel, King Thranduil, Smaug, Radagast, Arondir, Nori Brandyfoot, Poppy Proudfellow, Marigold Brandyfoot, Queen Regent Míriel, Sadoc Burrows
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