Maldon Seax

Description of the Product

This Viking Age Maldon Seax knife is from the Windlass Steelcrafts Battlecry collection. Fitted to a sword-style hilt, the Maldon seax is a size that serves roles as a working knife as well as a combat dagger. This is a solid and well balanced piece. The blade shape features a thick back edge that uniquely curves down toward a straight point providing the Seax with slashing potential as well as chopping force. Rely on it alone or match it to the Maldon sword as a fighting set.

The weapon is named after the famous battle of Maldon in 991, where the Anglo-Saxon Earl Byrhtnoth refused to pay a tribute demanded by raiding vikings. The honor code of the Anglo-Saxon warculture did not permit Byrhtnoth to buy himself off the hook. Neither did his overwhelming pride, or ofermode, permit him to fend off the vikings from his superior defence position, but instead he allowed the vikings to wait for low tide, walk across the narrow causeway safely and set up a pitched battle. For the Anglo-Saxons a fight was not won, if it had not been won fairly. Unfortunately for Byrhtnoth, he was struck down fairly early on in the battle, leading some of his less loyal troops to flee in dissarray, causing lifelong shame on them and their families. But a loyal band remained, defending their dead thane till the bitter end. In their glorious defeat the Anglo-Saxons got what they most wanted, heroism. The vikings also got what they wanted: a profitable protection racket, as after the battle the king paid the first of many Danegelds to come.

The variety of different historical knives and daggers is immense. Yet many can be traced back to only a handful of proven designs. One of the most practical and functional is the Viking Seax. As both a serviceable tool and deadly weapon this is the little brother to its better known larger sibling, the Viking sword. Whether hidden behind a shield, worn on the belt or struck upright in a wooden block or sticking in the railing and posts of a longship, it was always kept handy just in case the demands for loot were met with insubordination.

Includes a matching scabbard with a belt stop, a frog to carry the seax and a certificate of authenticity signed by the smith who forged the knife.

• Overall Length 54.6 cm
• Blade Length 39 cm
• Weight 0.6 kg
• Blade Material: 1065 High Carbon Steel
• Sharpness: Sharp
• Made by Windlass Steelcrafts

The Battlecry line of historical swords, daggers and axes has been designed in conjunction with John Clements, whose knowledge of historical fencing and Medieval and Renaissance fighting methods is unsurpassed. Hand forged by Windlass Steelcrafts, the 1065 high carbon steel is tempered in computer controlled ovens to a hardness of low 50’s RC. This ensures strength, resiliency and edge retention. Swords have extra wide full tangs and all weapons are sharpened.

Each model has been put through rigorous physical testing to exceed industry standards. These battle tested weapons have a stone washed, blackened finish. The blued patina protects the blade from the frequent rust spots and stains that occur so often from everyday practice and exposure to the elements. Each is individually inspected at every step of the manufacturing process, and only after passing inspection they receive the armorers stamp on the blade. A certificate signed by the smith who wrought your weapon is included.