The highest item level one-handed swords a level 11–20 character can wear start with Smotts' Cutlass (item level 25, common). 36 items fit the slot and band; the top 25 are ranked here by item level, then quality, not by simulation.
| # | Name | ILvl | Req. | DPS | Speed | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Smotts' Cutlass | 25 | 20 | 11.6 | 1.90 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Negolash at 100.0% (vanilla) |
| 2 | Cruel BarbCHANGED | 24 | 19 | 15.5 | 2.80 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Edwin VanCleef (The Deadmines) at 20.0% (vanilla) |
| 3 |  ShadowfangCHANGED | 24 | 19 | 15.6 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Lupine Horror (Shadowfang Keep) at 0.1% (+8 more) (vanilla) |
| 4 |  Bluegill Kukri | 24 | 19 | 12.3 | 2.80 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Bluegill Warrior (Wetlands) at 1.5% (vanilla) |
| 5 |  Bronze ShortswordCHANGED | 24 | 19 | 12.2 | 2.50 | One-Handed Sword | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 6 | Decapitating Sword | 24 | 19 | 12.3 | 2.60 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Humar the Pridelord (The Barrens) at 1.6% (+547 more) (vanilla) |
| 7 | Warped Blade | 24 | 19 | 7.2 | 1.60 | One-Handed Sword | Found in Large Iron Bound Chest (Gnomeregan) at 1.2% (+315 more) (vanilla) |
| 8 |  Butcher's SlicerCHANGED | 23 | 18 | 15.0 | 2.90 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Razorclaw the Butcher (Shadowfang Keep) at 33.3% (vanilla) |
| 9 | Buzz SawCHANGED | 23 | 18 | 15.2 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Sneed's Shredder (The Deadmines) at 10.0% (vanilla) |
| 10 |  Legionnaire's Sword | 23 | 18 | 15.0 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Kelm Hargunth (Horde) (vanilla) |
| 11 |  Protector's Sword | 23 | 18 | 15.0 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Illiyana Moonblaze (Alliance) (vanilla) |
| 12 | Thief's BladeCHANGED | 22 | 17 | 14.4 | 1.70 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Mr. Smite (The Deadmines) at 40.0% (vanilla) |
| 13 |  Militant Shortsword | 22 | 17 | 11.0 | 2.50 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Apothecary Falthis (Ashenvale) at 1.7% (+502 more) (vanilla) |
| 14 | Scimitar of AtunCHANGED | 21 | 16 | 10.6 | 2.60 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Murloc Scout (Redridge Mountains) at 1.0% (+1 more) (vanilla) |
| 15 |  Ironpatch Blade | 20 | 15 | 13.5 | 2.60 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Rot Hide Bruiser (Silverpine Forest) at 0.0% (+211 more) (vanilla) |
| 16 | Night Watch Shortsword | 20 | 15 | 13.5 | 2.60 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Rot Hide Bruiser (Silverpine Forest) at 0.0% (+211 more) (vanilla) |
| 17 |  Elegant Shortsword | 20 | 10.0 | 2.00 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Serena Bloodfeather (vanilla) | |
| 18 | Blackwater CutlassCHANGED | 19 | 14 | 12.9 | 1.90 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Defias Pirate (The Deadmines) at 3.5% (+1 more) (vanilla) |
| 19 |  Solid ShortbladeCHANGED | 19 | 9.4 | 2.50 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Red Silk Bandanas (vanilla) | |
| 20 |  Scimitar | 19 | 14 | 8.7 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Ariyell Skyshadow (+13 more) (vanilla) |
| 21 | Stock Shortsword | 19 | 14 | 5.8 | 1.80 | One-Handed Sword | Found in Weapon Crate (The Barrens) at 10.0% (+315 more) (vanilla) |
| 22 |  Cursed FelbladeCHANGED | 18 | 13 | 12.2 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Taragaman the Hungerer (Ragefire Chasm) at 33.3% (vanilla) |
| 23 | Northern Shortsword | 18 | 13 | 9.1 | 2.20 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Firecaller Radison (Darkshore) at 1.7% (+505 more) (vanilla) |
| 24 | Daryl's Shortsword | 17 | 8.7 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: A Hunter's Challenge (vanilla) | |
| 25 |  Defias Rapier | 16 | 11 | 8.1 | 1.60 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Defias Watchman (Westfall) at 5.0% (vanilla) |
Ranked by item level, then quality, among items with a known source: gear nothing drops, sells, rewards or makes yet (raids not yet open, the client's test items) is left out. The class filter keeps what the class can equip at level 20 (armor type, weapon skill, Dual Wield, the item's own class limit); the side filter drops items that only the other side's vendors and quests offer. Source: the best known drop first (a Forever rate at 10+ loots, else the vanilla 1.12 chance), then vendors, quest rewards and the profession that makes it.
Other slots: Dagger, One-Handed Axe, One-Handed Mace, Two-Handed Sword, Two-Handed Axe, Two-Handed Mace, Polearm, Staff, Bow, Gun. Every slot and level.