A beskad represented a classic Mandalorian sword, crafted from the durable beskar material. This weapon featured a wide, single-edged blade, roughly the length of an adult human's arm. It broadened towards its end before narrowing into a point. The beskad served as a stout, one-handed short sword, built to breach armor and execute brief, forceful strikes, much like a machete. The hilt incorporated a pair of metal guards, positioned to shield the user's hand at both the top and bottom. Its design drew inspiration from the ancient Taung. Typically, warriors paired it with a kal dagger in their other hand.
The term "beskad" was initially coined by the writer Karen Traviss within her now considered Legends e-novella, titled Boba Fett: A Practical Man.