The Headman’s Cleaver is a weapon that players might recognize fromThe Elder Scrolls: Blades.Some players recall seeing this weapon at the beginning ofSkyrim, when the player is unceremoniously sent to the block after trying to cross the border. This memory is false, though, as the executioner there uses a unique Greataxe, not this weapon which is not included inSkyrimnormally.
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The Headman’s Cleaver is a Two-Handed Greatsword by nature, though it more closely resembles a Halberd Polearm. It’s one of the most visually impressive itemsincluded withSkyrim Anniversary Edition, though there isn’t much else that sets it apart from other Greatswords, especially inSkyrim’s end game.
Updated June 23, 2025 by Erik Petrovich: The Headman’s Cleaver is a relatively underwhelming weapon, all things considered, though it does have one thing going for it: Fashion. Sure, its base damage is decent, but the fact that it cannot be enchanted severely limits its potential as a weapon in the long term. The Skyrim Headman’s Cleaver is a beautiful piece of gear nonetheless, and its gold value alone makes it worth tracking down even if you don’t plan to use it. Included in Skyrim Anniversary Edition, the Headman’s Cleaver creation is one of the few that alter a base-game area, in this case the Lost Knife Hideout east of Whiterun. Here, players will find new enemies and a new boss on their quest to recover this legendary weapon.
25
24
2900
None, cannot be Enchanted
Orichalcum Ingot, with the Orcish Smithing perk
The Headman’s Cleaver is one of the most unique-looking weapons inSkyrimand functions as one of its only polearms, though it’s classified as a Two-Handed Greatsword for the purposes of skill line bonuses in the Two-Handed skill tree.The Elder Scrolls: Bladesplayers will recognize this weapon from the game, if they’ve made it to the Orc-controlled city of Rivercrest. Itscales with the player’s level when picked up, whichchanges its gold value and raw damage.RELATED:Skyrim: Every New Unique Armor In Anniversary Edition (And Where To Find Them)
Interestingly enough, the Headman’s Cleaver was originally intended to have an enchantment that would deal 20 Stamina Damage as well as 2 Bleeding Damage every second for 5 seconds (for an extra 10 Health Damage total). Though it technically has an Enchantment Charge value of 2000, it’sset to be unenchantable and only works as a basic Two-Handed weaponwithout thepossibility for additional bonuses.
How To Get The Headman’s Cleaver
How To Start the Blood in the Water Quest
TheSkyrimHeadman’s Cleaver is made available as a reward for completing the quest Blood In The Water, which isincluded with the Creation. This quest starts bytalking to any innkeeper and asking about rumors. At some point, the innkeeper will put the player on the quest after giving a note from Shogarz gra-Batul, an Orc vassal of the Queen of the Bloodfall Kingdom of Cyrodiil.
The quest takes players to theLost Knife Hideout which is located between Valtheim Towers and Darkwater Crossing. It’s a cave many players know by heart, as it’s a common stop on the way to the Throat of the World. Head to Whiterun and head east on the path towards the Hold of Winterhold. After passing Valtheim Towers, where a bandit attempts to mug the player, you should find Lost Knife Hideout on the side of the road.
The Darkwater Snake
Lost Knife Hideout is a familiar location for many players, but this questline changes the bandit groups and how they behave, and adds a new leader of the bandits called the Darkwater Snake. After defeating the bandits and their leader, players turn the quest into Shogarz gra-Batul himself - though playerstechnicallydon’thave to complete the questto keep the weapon, they get a neat little reward (and of course keep theSkyrimHeadman’s Cleaver) for turning it in.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Editionis available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S
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