Before Arwen's birth Elrond wielded Hadhafang at the end of the second age of Middle-Earth, during the Last Alliance of Elves and Men in the great battle against Sauron. Later his daughter Arwen used Hadhafang when she aided Frodo in his escape from the Ringwraiths. 

Inscribed on the blade are runes in the Elven language of Sindarin that say "aen estar Hadhafang i chathol hen, thand arod dan i thang an i arwen." Which translates to "this blade is called Hadhafang, a noble defense against the enemy throng for a noble lady." The original inscription included the last line "Idril i hel en aran Gond dolen," which translates to "Idril, daughter of the king of the Hidden Rock (Gondolin)." It was dropped from the finished prop due to a lack of space.