I just started modeling this sword. I´m pretty happy with the result so far. But if you look at the grip in the reference image, i´m not sure how to do that. I mean that gold wire or what it is. someone who know how to do it or is there a good tutorial for it?
One possibility it the screw modifier…
with a simple low poly version and maybe some bump/normal map. The ends has to be modeled a bit after applying (and some proportion scaling ).
For more high poly one can try to do some array along curve… best using some of the Extra Object: Curve addon using some spiral…
Edit:
…okay five minutes later… 
I guess my first question would be, how detailed/close up does it need to be, in other words, does it need to be modeled at all.
If somewhat detailed is needed, then really it’s spiral ridge like Okidoki has shown, spaced out between flat areas.
You’d then just use a texture/normal/bump map to put the ‘strings’ on the flat area and the knotted pattern on the raised areas.