Viking Sax
- Available
For the Vikings and Germanic peoples of the Early Middle Ages, the sax was far more than just a weapon – it was an everyday tool, a status symbol and a trusty companion at their side. In this category, you’ll find replicas ranging from simple short saxes to richly decorated long saxes made of Damascus steel, suitable for re-enactment, exhibition fighting and collectors.
What is a sax? Meaning, history and origin
The word ‘sax’ is derived from the Old High German ‘sahs’, meaning ‘knife’ or ‘stone’ – one of the oldest terms for weapons in the Germanic-speaking world. As a single-edged cutting weapon, the sax is not a medieval invention, but can be traced back to the pre-Roman Iron Age. However, it enjoyed its heyday in the Early Middle Ages, roughly between the 5th and 11th centuries, when it was equally widespread among the Germanic tribes, Franks, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings.
In Latin, the term semispatha – ‘half-sword’ – aptly describes the Sax’s position between knife and sword. Longer variants are often referred to as scramasax, a term of Frankish origin that has become established primarily for blades of around 40 cm in length or more. In the Anglo-Saxon world, the spelling seax is common. Regardless of the name, the sax was always both: an everyday utility item and a weapon fit for combat. It accompanied its bearer in craftwork as well as on the battlefield and was as commonplace in much of early medieval society as a pocket knife is today – with the crucial difference that it visibly signified the rank and status of its bearer.
Shapes and variants: an overview of the short sax, long sax and scramasax
Short sax
The short sax is the most compact variant and was primarily used as an everyday knife and tool. Slim blade, lightweight, easy to handle – ideal for beginners and as a supplementary tool for re-enactment.
Scramasax / Mittelsax
The medium class combines everyday practicality with combat effectiveness. Wider blade, often with a characteristic broken-back profile (bent blade spine). Particularly typical of Anglo-Saxon and Frankish finds. Often with a leather scabbard and metal fittings.
Longsax
The Langsax is almost in the realm of short swords. Archaeologically attested primarily from Scandinavian and Frankish contexts. Solid, powerful, imposing – as a collector’s item and for demanding re-enactments.
A particularly characteristic blade shape is the Broken-Back Sax: the spine runs straight until just before the tip, where it bends sharply, creating a striking, almost right-angled tip geometry. This shape is well documented archaeologically and is found in both Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian finds. The Gotland type refers to a specifically Scandinavian variant with a slimmer profile, which was excavated particularly frequently on the Swedish island of Gotland and today serves as a reference for many high-quality replicas.
Materials and craftsmanship: carbon, damascene and historical models
| Material | Suitability | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon steel (EN45) | Reenactment | Robust spring steel alloy, sharpens well, requires maintenance, susceptible to corrosion. Commonly found in stage-combat-suitable axes. |
| Damascus steel | Historical | Visually striking layered pattern created by welding different types of steel together. High-quality appearance, for collectors and discerning re-enactors. |
| Damascus steel | Historical | The finest forged material with a distinctive pattern, partly hand-forged. Premium segment, highly suitable for collectors. |
| Bone / Horn | Historical | Authentic handle materials with direct archaeological evidence. Natural appearance, unique patterns. |
| Wood (rosewood, walnut) | Reenactment | Durable, comfortable to hold, easy to grip. A popular choice for robust everyday reenactments. |
| Leather (sheath) | Historical | Archaeologically attested, protects the blade, often decorated with brass fittings or niello work. |
The scabbard was by no means merely a functional accessory: fittings made of brass or bronze, inlays of silver and gold, and elaborate leather embossing reflected the social status of the wearer. The Early Medieval knife range demonstrates just how broad the spectrum is, ranging from simple utility designs to showpieces.
How was the Sax carried? Carrying methods and scabbards in a historical context
One of the most frequently asked questions about the Sax concerns how it was worn – and the answer clearly distinguishes it from swords of its time. The Sax was worn horizontally on the belt, with the blade pointing upwards. This position is attested by numerous iconographic sources: runestones, 8th to 10th-century book illuminations and isolated grave depictions show warriors with the Sax hanging horizontally from their belt.
It was secured via the scabbard, which was fastened directly to the belt using straps or so-called belt buckles. Unlike the sword, which hung from the hip via a sword hanger, the Sax sat much flatter against the body – which made it easier to draw quickly and offered a practical advantage in the close quarters of hand-to-hand combat. The scabbard itself was made of sewn or riveted leather and was often reinforced with metal fittings at the opening and the scabbard mouthplate.
This method of carrying is important for modern reenactment: a correctly crafted leather scabbard with a belt attachment is an essential part of an authentic portrayal – most saxes in our range are therefore supplied with a matching scabbard. Those wishing to complete their kit will find additional accessories in the Viking Weapons section.
Viking Sax in reenactment: exhibition combat, performance and selection
Short saxes and simple scramasaxes made of carbon steel with bone, horn or wooden handles and brown leather scabbards. Sturdy replicas for those new to early medieval reenactment, well-suited for markets and exhibitions. Typical examples: Viking scramasax with bone handle, early medieval short sax with horn handle.
Skramasaxes suitable for display combat, featuring springy carbon steel, a blunted blade and a sturdy leather scabbard. Designed for use at LARP events and reenactment markets with safety requirements. Please check the blade length, weight and safety rating class when purchasing. Typical example: Skramasax for display combat.
Damascus steel and Damascus-style steel skramasaxes with elaborate handles made of horn, bone or fine wood, and richly decorated scabbards. For discerning performers and collectors who value historical authenticity and high-quality craftsmanship. The highlight of the range: the limited-edition skramasax by Beagnoth with gold and silver inlays based on a British museum specimen.
An important note regarding purchase: Sharp replicas are not approved for display combat. For fencing use at LARP and reenactment events, you must use models explicitly designated as suitable for display combat, with the appropriate steel hardness and blade geometry. The relevant suitability is always stated in the product title or description.
Historical finds as models: the Sax of Beagnoth and the Gotland finds
Hardly any early medieval object is as well documented as the Beagnoth Sax: an Anglo-Saxon sax knife from the 9th century, found in the Thames and now housed in the British Museum in London. What makes it unique is the runic inscription on the blade – a complete sequence of the Old English Futhorc alphabet – as well as the elaborate gold and silver inlays, which clearly identify it as a prestige item belonging to a high-ranking individual. The range includes both an accessible replica and a limited edition version with historically accurate inlays, which deserves special attention as a collector’s item.
The Gotland type represents the Scandinavian variant of the sax: slimmer, often with a characteristic blade angle and fine metal fittings on the scabbard. As a trading centre during the Viking Age, Gotland was a crossroads of many cultural influences, a fact also reflected in the saxes found there. Frankish and Merovingian sax finds complete the picture of a widely distributed weapon type that endured across centuries and cultural boundaries.
For re-enactors interested in historically accurate representations, it is worth taking a look at the respective archaeological models: many replicas in the range are directly based on documented finds and specify the original in the product name or description. This makes them interesting not only for markets but also as objects of study. In addition, Germanic knives and Germanic swords offer further replicas from the early medieval arsenal.
Whether you’re looking for a simple short sax for your first early medieval re-enactment or a limited-edition collector’s item based on a historical model – you’ll find the right item in this category. Browse through the range and feel free to call us for advice if you have any questions.
Frequently asked questions
A sax is a single-edged cutting weapon from the Early Middle Ages, which can be classified as something between a large knife and a short sword. It was common among the Germanic tribes, Franks, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, and served both as an everyday tool and a weapon of war. The blade length varied depending on the type, from around 15 cm for the short sax to over 60 cm for the long sax.
Scramasax is the Frankish term for longer variants of the sax, typically with a blade length between 30 and 50 cm and a characteristically broad blade. Also referred to as 'semispatha' (half-sword) in Latin sources. The term has become established in modern usage for medium to large sax variants, but is not uniformly defined in the same way by all sources.
The sax was worn horizontally on the belt, with the cutting edge pointing upwards. This method of carrying is attested by runestones, illuminated manuscripts and other iconographic sources from the 8th to 10th centuries. The scabbard was fastened to the belt by straps or belt buckles – quite unlike a sword, which hung from a sword hanger.
The Langsax is the largest variant of the Sax, with a blade length of over 50 cm – which puts it almost in the category of a short sword. It is primarily attested from Scandinavian and Frankish archaeological contexts dating from the 7th to the 10th centuries. Due to its size, it was more of a warrior’s weapon than an everyday object and is particularly sought after today as a collector’s item.
For stage combat and LARP, axes specifically designated as suitable for stage combat are required. These have a blunted blade made of springy carbon steel, which absorbs the impact upon contact. Sharp replicas made of Damascus steel are collector’s items and are not permitted for use in fencing. In our range, models suitable for stage combat are marked accordingly in the product title.