Viking Knife, Damascus Steel Blade and Wood/Bone Handle

Viking Knife with Damascus Steel Blade and Wood-and-Bone Handle

This hand-made Viking Age knife (Seax) features a sharpened 256-layer Damascus steel blade. The handle is a real eye-catcher: It is composed of alternating layers of wood and bone separated by thin, darker spacers. The grip's butt and collar are made of brass. Delivery includes a beautiful tanned leather sheath with ornate brass fittings and a generouslysized suspension ring allowing for comfortable belt carry.

Please note that, as the blade is sharp and fully functional, this knife is designed as a collector's or decoration piece and not suited for combat reenactment!

The terms Damascus steel, damascene or pattern welded designate a compound steel forged out of two or more different types of steel. It is named after its birthplace, the Syrian city of Damascus, a former stronghold of the patterned steel production. As a common practice, a harder high carbon steel and a milder low carbon steel are repeatedly forge welded and folded together. The high carbon steel ensures a higher hardness, a better temperability and longer lasting edge retention, whereas the milder steel confers greater blade flexibility and tensile strength. This procedure, which arose in a time where steel qualities were often low and inconsistent, enables to combine the positive attributes of the various steel grades. Besides, the different shadings generated by the varying carbon content of the alternating layers engender strikingly beautiful patterns, such as the twisted motif called Torsion Damascus pattern or the Rose Damascus pattern. Undoubtedly, these unusual patterns partly explain why inherent magical properties were attributed to the Damascus steel blades of the Middle Ages.

Details:
- Blade material: Damascus steel (256 layers), sharp edge
- Handle material: wood and animal bone
- Overall length: approx. 23 cm
- Blade length: approx. 12 cm
- Weight: approx. 154 g (approx. 334 g with sheath)
- Leather-and-brass sheath with carrying ring

Please note:
We do not sell this product to customers under the age of 18. Please provide your birth date when ordering. We'll also need a copy of your ID-card or passport by email, scan, fax or mail.