The highest item level one-handed swords a level 51–60 character can wear as a Paladin start with Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker (item level 80, legendary). 30 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 |  Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker | 80 | 60 | 61.8 | 1.90 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Rise, Thunderfury! (vanilla) |
| 2 |  Sharpened Silithid FemurCHANGED | 78 | 60 | 59.3 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Viscidus (Ahn'Qiraj) at 14.3% (vanilla) |
| 3 |  Ancient Qiraji Ripper | 77 | 60 | 58.4 | 2.80 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Fankriss the Unyielding (Ahn'Qiraj) at 10.0% (vanilla) |
| 4 |  Ravencrest's Legacy | 76 | 60 | 57.4 | 2.10 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Treasure of the Timeless One (vanilla) |
| 5 |  Runesword of the RedCHANGED | 76 | 60 | 57.3 | 2.20 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Treasure of the Timeless One (vanilla) |
| 6 | BlackguardCHANGED | 70 | 60 | 51.7 | 1.80 | One-Handed Sword | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 7 |  Blade of Eternal Justice | 70 | 60 | 51.5 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Blade of Eternal Justice (vanilla) |
| 11 |  Holy War Sword | 65 | 60 | 38.6 | 2.20 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Azuregos (Azshara) at 3.1% (+181 more) (vanilla) |
| 9 |  Dark Iron ReaverCHANGED | 65 | 60 | 42.7 | 2.40 | One-Handed Sword | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 10 |  Ravenholdt Slicer | 65 | 42.7 | 2.80 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: The Perfect Poison (vanilla) | |
| 8 |  Ironwood BladeFOREVER | 65 | 60 | 47.3 | 2.40 | One-Handed Sword | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 12 | SagebladeCHANGED | 64 | 59 | 46.4 | 1.80 | One-Handed Sword | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 13 |  FrostguardCHANGED | 63 | 58 | 41.4 | 2.80 | One-Handed Sword | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 14 |  Legionnaire's Sword | 63 | 58 | 41.5 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Kelm Hargunth (Horde) (vanilla) |
| 15 |  Protector's Sword | 63 | 58 | 41.5 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Illiyana Moonblaze (Alliance) (vanilla) |
| 16 | Sword of Zeal | 63 | 58 | 41.4 | 2.80 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Colossus of Zora (Silithus) at 10.0% (+252 more) (vanilla) |
| 17 |  Battlefell Sabre | 62 | 57 | 37.0 | 2.20 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Foreman Jerris (Western Plaguelands) at 1.1% (+451 more) (vanilla) |
| 19 |  Enchanted Azsharite Felbane Sword | 60 | 35.8 | 2.00 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Enchanted Azsharite Fel Weaponry (vanilla) | |
| 18 |  Beaststalker Blade | 60 | 35.9 | 2.20 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Shy-Rotam (vanilla) | |
| 20 |  Hameya's Slayer | 60 | 35.8 | 2.00 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Hameya's Plea (vanilla) | |
| 21 |  Dimensional Blade | 59 | 54 | 35.0 | 1.60 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Foreman Marcrid (Western Plaguelands) at 1.0% (+650 more) (vanilla) |
| 22 |  Intrepid Shortsword | 58 | 34.5 | 2.10 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Mission Accomplished! (+1 more) (vanilla) | |
| 23 |  Valiant ShortswordCHANGED | 58 | 34.5 | 2.10 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Mission Accomplished! (+1 more) (vanilla) | |
| 24 |  Assassination Blade | 57 | 52 | 37.6 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Colossus of Zora (Silithus) at 9.1% (+474 more) (vanilla) |
| 25 | Crystal Sword | 57 | 52 | 33.9 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Lord Maldazzar (Western Plaguelands) at 1.0% (+633 more) (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 60 (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. Reviewed picks: Paladin Best in Slot.
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.