A seax was a blade of choice for Viking warriors. It was a useful weapon for combat, as well as everyday tasks like farming and raising animals.
The seax was a single-edged sword and often had a hilt. Some were inlaid with precious metals or engraved with runes.
Blade
The Vikings had a wide variety of weapons, from swords to spears to bows. But one of their lesser-known weapons was the seax, a long iron knife with a single blade that gently tapered to a point.
While many seaxes were simple in design, a few were crafted with care and decorated with precious metals or artwork. One example is the Seax of Beagnoth, displayed at the British Museum.
It has a two foot (61 centimeters) long blade engraved with a 28-letter runic alphabet, and is a beautiful work of art. Other seaxes were etched with patterns, runes, or tiny illustrations.
The blade for this seax was forged by hand in a process that replicates the technique used by a Viking smith in the Viking Age. This process is called ‘old school’ forging and it produces an accurate replica of the weapon that was used in the Viking Age.
Scabbard
Deeply rooted in Scandinavian history, the seax was the blade shape of choice for many Vikings. Whether it was harvesting vegetables or protecting themselves, the knife served them well.
Its straight-line cutting edge tackled a variety of tasks, and it was easy to handle and sharpened. It was also a versatile weapon, suited for self-defense as well as war.
In modern times, the seax can be made in a number of different styles. They vary from a bowie-style blade to a spear-point blade.
The most common is the broken-back style, featuring a severe clip close to the front and a point well below the center line. They are usually made from high carbon steel.
For sheaths, I use Basswood, which is light in weight but easy to carve and doesn’t have a tendency to split. Birch or Willow would be the common woods used in Scandinavia, but you can also try figured Maple, which is often found in early American knife sheaths.
Finish
The Vikings were famous for their axes, but they also carried a knife that saw a wide variety of uses. They were useful for farming, hunting, and warfare.
These weapons were easy to make and required less material, making them available to a wider range of people. They were also very effective.
Unlike Viking cutting swords, they were suitable for stabbing, and could be used to hit enemies from a short distance. They were also relatively small, so they were easy to conceal behind shields.
The blades varied in style, but most had a single edge, with hilts made from wood or horn. They were usually held in a scabbard that was attached to one’s belt.