Viking Sword

Description

*Materials

-Carbon Steel

-All Handmade

-Walnut root handle

-High quality metal guard

-Full Length: 104 cm

-Handle Length: 19,5 cm

Viking Sword

The Viking sword or Carolingian sword is the type of sword prevalent in Western and Northern Europe during the Early Middle Ages. We make the Viking era sword with traditional methods in our workshop. As always this sword is handmade and battle ready. The Viking Era Sword or Carolingian-era sword developed in the 8th century from the Merovingian sword (more specifically, the Frankish production of swords in the 6th to 7th century, itself derived from the Roman spatha) and during the 11th to 12th century in turn gave rise to the knightly sword of the Romanesque period.

Viking Sword Medieval

Swords in the Viking age were typically double edged; both edges of the blade were sharp. Swords were generally used single handed, since the other hand was busy holding the shield. Blades ranged from 60 to 90cm (24-36 in) long, although 70-80cm was typical.

Viking Sword for Sale

Late in the Viking era, blades became as long as 100cm (40in). The blade was typically 4-6cm wide (1.5-2.3in). The hilt and pommel provided the needed weight to balance the blade, with the total weight of the sword ranging from 2-4 lbs (1-2 kg). Typical swords weigh in at the lower end of this range. Blades had a slight taper, which helped bring the center of balance closer to the grip.

The history of the Vikings and their weaponry

The name “Viking” is derived from the Old Norse feminine noun that meant a trip overseas. It could be found on runic inscriptions from the Viking Age, as well as in the medieval documents, where the phrase “fara í viking” was used for example, meaning the departure on an expedition. In the Icelandic Sagas, the phrase “go on viking” was synonymous with the participation in a piracy and plundering expedition. From this expression, the word “víkingr” is derived, which is an Old Norse masculine noun, meaning a sailor or a warrior taking part in the overseas expeditions. It appears often in the Scalds’ poetry and on the rune stones’ inscriptions, which are found around Scandinavia.

The characteristics of the Viking sword

The cross-guards and blades of the Viking swords are one of the most elaborately decorated ones in all the cold steel history. However, it was not a rule, as some of them had purely practical function and did not carry any ornaments. If the decorations were present, they were made by smithery, inlays or engravings. It happened that those methods were combined. The decorations could have the form of simple and repetitive geometric patterns, as well as braids or images of humans, animals or gods. They were mostly made of copper, gold, silver or steel. The Viking craftsmen and artists were real masters of weapon ornamentation. Lots of these decorations have survived to the present, while the remaining part of the sword have been often destroyed with corrosion.

The Features of Viking Sword

The Viking swords were one-handed weapons reaching the total length of 80-100 cm. They had two-edged and symmetrical blades, straight or gently tapering to short, usually oval foible. They did not weigh much, usually 900-1200 grammes. They had a short, solid, straight or slightly bent down hilt and a decorated cross-guard, tightly wedging the hand. The cross-guards and blades of the Viking swords are one of the most elaborately decorated ones in all the cold steel history. However, it was not a rule, as some of them had purely practical function and did not carry any ornaments. If the decorations were present, they were made by smithery, inlays or engravings. It happened that those methods were combined. The decorations could have the form of simple and repetitive geometric patterns, as well as braids or images of humans, animals or gods. They were mostly made of copper, gold, silver or steel. The Viking craftsmen and artists were real masters of weapon ornamentation.