Hand Forged Viking Seax with Horizontal Sheath

Description of the Product

The Scramasax, or seax, was a universal tool and weapon in northern Europe from before the fall of Rome all the way to early middle ages, carried by Franks, Vikings, Angles, Saxons and many German tribes. Seax means “knife” in Old English, and the weapon even gave its name to a tribe, the Saxons. At first the seax was used by the Franks during the 5th C, who later introduced it to Scandinavia, where it gained much popularity. Eventually, during c. the 7th-8th centuries, the use of the seax spread to Britain also.

Broken back seaxes like this were very common knives for Vikings, Saxons and other Iron Age Northern European people. Stylistically knives like this were used well into 12th Century. This is a fine size for an everyday seax to be carried with you for general chores and self-defense alike. This seax is large enough to tackle most duties while still having a modest size to be carried at all times. Whether preparing food, cutting rope, as a building all-around-tool or as a fighting knife this type of knife was excellent option to be carried with you. Very small knives are good for crafting but no good as fighting knives or for heavy cutting, and larger knives are too heavy and cumbersome to carry everyday while being good as weapons or tools for heavy cutting. This size is nicely in between these ends and can handle most of the heavier jobs whilst still being light enough.

Many knives with this broken back seax shape have been found all over Northern Europe and can be seen in many museums. The durable and sturdy blade is hand forged out of 1095 Carbon Steel and the brown leather sheath has two belt loops for easy horizontal carrying. The handle fittings are made of brass, and it has a brass loop at the end, so if you want to, you can attach for example a wrist strap to it.

Brass decoration on your knife wasn't just reserved for the wealthiest, it wasn't luxury as we might think of it nowadays, but it was still something the poorest of the society wouldn't spend their money on. This seax has been left fairly undecorated, and the brass additions are limited to the fittings on the handle, and the loop attachments on the sheath. This makes it ideal for those who do not wish to show off their wealth on their voyages, or who have no wealth to show.

A nice everyday tool made to be used. This is a 100% handmade item and each item will have its unique small differences from piece to piece. The overall look, feel and size however are the same for each piece.

• Common knife style and model from Viking Era Scandinavia and Northern Europe
• Historically accurate construction
• Brown leather sheath with horizontal leather straps for easy carrying
• 100% hand made with hand forged blade. Individual pieces will have little variation.
• Overall length: 31.0 cm
• Blade length: 18.0 cm
• Handle length: 13.0 cm
• Weight: 240 g
• Blade width at guard: 28 mm
• Blade thickness at guard: 4 mm
• Blade material: 1095 High Carbon steel
• Blade hardness: 50 to 55 HRC on Rockwell scale
• Handle material: Walnut wood and brass
• Sharpness: Sharp
• Manufacturer: Karhunhammas – Beartooth