The blade was "long, pale, with a wire-thin scratch winding down it". The scratch had been put there by Ajihad in a duel with Durza some years ago. The sword must have been incredibly durable to withstand the force a Shade could put into a blow. It was not, however, equal of the Riders' swords forged by Rhunön, as those, among other properties they might or might not have shared with this blade, could never be scratched. The blade was also relatively narrow, narrow enough to slip between ribs and strengthened by the energy of the Spirits in Carsaib, this was mentioned by Oromis. On one occasion, an angered Durza threw the blade at a tree, which was harmless, even though it had been thrown with enough force to pass halfway through.