What Short Sword Did Vikings Use?

"The iconic image of a Viking warrior features a gleaming Viking Sword. But beyond that legendary blade, what was their backup? The seax (or sax) – a versatile, single-edged short sword or large knife. This ubiquitous sidearm served warriors, farmers, and traders alike. This post explores the seax's design, uses, cultural significance, and its rightful place alongside the Viking Sword in understanding Viking weaponry."

Defining the Seax: More Than Just a Knife, Less Than a Full Sword – A Spectrum of Blades

The term "seax" encompasses a wide range of blade lengths and styles, making a precise, one-size-fits-all definition challenging. It's best understood as a spectrum, ranging from large knives (a few inches in blade length) suitable for everyday tasks, to short swords (up to two feet or more) capable of delivering lethal blows in combat. This versatility is a key characteristic of the seax.

Viking Seax Knife

• Single-Edged Blade: A Defining Feature: Unlike the double-edged Viking Sword, the seax has a single, straight edge (though the back of the blade may be straight, curved, or angled). This design makes it excellent for chopping and slicing, and also simplifies the forging process, requiring less skill and resources than creating a double-edged blade.
• Blade Shape Variations: Form Follows Function: The blade shape could vary considerably, reflecting regional styles, the intended use, and the preferences of the maker and owner.
  • Straight Back: A simple, utilitarian design, good for general-purpose cutting.
  • Curved Back: Offers a longer cutting edge and can be more effective for slicing.
  • Broken-Back: Features an angled point, creating a sharp, piercing tip, ideal for thrusting. This style is particularly common in Anglo-Saxon England, but also found in Viking contexts.
  • Point Variations: The point itself could be sharp and acute for thrusting, or more rounded for chopping.
• Tang Construction: The Heart of the Hilt: The tang (the part of the blade that extends into the hilt) is crucial for the structural integrity of the seax.
  • Rat-tail Tang: A narrow, pointed extension of the blade, often found on smaller seaxes.
  • Wider, Flatter Tang: Provides a more secure attachment to the hilt, typically found on larger seaxes and short swords. The tang was typically secured within a wooden, bone, or antler hilt, often without a guard (though some later seaxes, particularly from the late Viking Age and the early medieval period, did have small guards).
• Hilt Materials: Organic and Practical: Hilts were commonly made of organic materials like wood, bone, or antler. These materials were readily available, relatively easy to work with, and provided a good grip.
  • Wood: The most common material, offering a variety of options depending on local availability (oak, ash, yew, etc.).
  • Bone and Antler: Durable and decorative, often used for higher-status seaxes.
  • Simple vs. Decorated: Most hilts were likely simple and functional, but some were decorated with carvings, metal inlays (silver, copper, brass), or other embellishments, reflecting the owner's wealth and status.
• Scabbards: Protection and Portability: Seaxes were typically carried in leather scabbards, often suspended horizontally from the belt using straps or loops. The scabbard protected the blade from the elements and prevented accidental injury. Some scabbards were reinforced with metal fittings (chape at the tip, locket at the mouth) for added durability and decoration.

Classifying the Seax: A Spectrum of Sizes – From Tool to Weapon

Archaeologists and historians have attempted to classify seaxes based on their size and shape, recognizing that these variations reflect different functions and, to some extent, chronological and regional trends. While there's no universally agreed-upon system, a common approach is to distinguish between:

• Narrow Seax (or Knife): These are essentially large knives, with blade lengths typically under 8 inches (20 cm). They were primarily everyday tools, used for tasks like cutting food, rope, or wood, preparing hides, and countless other daily chores. They could also serve as a weapon of last resort for self-defense.
• Broad Seax: These have wider blades, often with a more pronounced curve, and blade lengths ranging from roughly 8 to 14 inches (20-35 cm). They were more effective as weapons, capable of inflicting serious wounds, but still versatile enough for everyday use. They bridge the gap between tool and dedicated weapon.

Rustic Antlers Seax Knife

• Long Seax: These approach the size of a short sword, with blade lengths ranging from 14 inches (35 cm) up to 2 feet (60 cm) or even slightly more. These were primarily weapons, designed for combat, capable of delivering powerful cuts and thrusts. The line between a long seax and a short Viking Sword can be blurry, and some scholars even use the term "Viking short sword" to refer to these longer seaxes.
• Broken-Back Seax: This is a specific type of seax, characterized by an angled blade, creating a sharp, reinforced point. It's particularly associated with Anglo-Saxon England, but examples are also found in Viking contexts, demonstrating cultural exchange and the adoption of different weapon styles.

The Seax in Viking Society: A Tool for All, A Weapon for War – Woven into the Fabric of Life

The seax was far more than just a backup weapon; it was an integral part of Viking life, used by people from all walks of society, from the humblest farmer to the wealthiest chieftain. It was a tool, a weapon, and a symbol of status, all rolled into one.

Everyday Utility: The Viking's Multi-Tool – Indispensable and Versatile

• Farming: Seaxes were essential tools for farmers, used for butchering animals (separating meat from bone, preparing hides), harvesting crops (cutting stalks, trimming branches), repairing tools, and countless other tasks around the farmstead.
• Craftsmanship: Woodworkers, leatherworkers, bone carvers, and other craftspeople used seaxes for shaping and carving materials. The precise size and shape of the seax would depend on the specific craft.
• Hunting and Fishing: Seaxes were used for skinning and preparing game (from small animals to large game like deer or elk), and for cutting fishing lines and nets, repairing boats, and other tasks related to hunting and fishing.
• Cooking and Eating: Seaxes served as both cooking utensils (cutting meat and vegetables, preparing ingredients) and eating implements. In a time before widespread use of forks, a knife was essential for eating.
• Personal Grooming: While smaller, specialized knives were likely used for tasks like trimming nails, larger knives could have been used for cutting hair or trimming beards.

Warfare: A Reliable Sidearm – Always Ready

While the Viking Sword, spear, and axe were the primary weapons of Viking warriors, the seax played a crucial role in combat, serving as a dependable backup and a weapon for close-quarters fighting.

• Close-Quarters Combat: Navigating the Chaos: In the tight confines of a shield wall, on board a ship, or in the melee of a battle, a shorter, more maneuverable weapon like the seax was often more effective than a longer sword. It allowed for quick cuts and thrusts in cramped spaces.
• Backup Weapon: A Lifesaver: If a warrior lost his spear or axe, or if his Viking Sword was broken, jammed, or knocked from his hand, the seax was a readily available backup weapon. It could mean the difference between life and death.
• Finishing Blows: Swift and Efficient: The seax could be used to dispatch wounded enemies quickly and efficiently, a grim but necessary task in the brutal reality of Viking-age warfare.
• Surprise Attacks: The Element of Stealth: The seax, being easily concealed beneath clothing, could be used for surprise attacks or assassinations. While not considered honorable combat in the open, stealth and cunning were certainly part of the Viking repertoire.

Social Status and Symbolism: More Than Just a Tool

While even the poorest Vikings likely owned a simple knife or narrow seax, the quality, size, and ornamentation of a seax could reflect the owner's social status and wealth.

• Plain Seaxes: The Everyday Essential: The vast majority of seaxes were likely plain and functional, made with simple materials (iron blade, wooden hilt) and minimal decoration. These were the tools of the common people, farmers, craftspeople, and ordinary warriors.
• Decorated Seaxes: A Display of Wealth: Wealthier individuals – chieftains, successful traders, skilled warriors – might own seaxes with elaborately carved hilts (made of bone, antler, or even walrus ivory), inlaid metal decorations (silver, copper, brass), or pattern-welded blades. These were status symbols, demonstrating the owner's wealth, taste, and social standing.
• Grave Goods: A Reflection of Life (and Death): Seaxes are frequently found in Viking burials, both male and female, indicating their importance in life and perhaps their perceived usefulness in the afterlife. The type of seax found in a grave, along with other grave goods, can provide valuable clues about the deceased's social status, occupation, and beliefs. A simple knife might indicate a farmer, while a richly decorated long seax might suggest a warrior or a person of high rank.

Archaeological Evidence: Seaxes in the Ground – Speaking from the Soil

The archaeological record provides ample evidence for the widespread use of seaxes throughout the Viking Age, confirming their importance in Viking society. Thousands of seaxes have been unearthed, offering a rich source of information.

Celtic Long Seax Sword

Grave Finds: A Window into Viking Life – Stories Told in Steel

• Frequency: Seaxes are among the most common artifacts found in Viking graves, often outnumbering swords. This reflects their widespread use and importance in everyday life, and their significance as personal possessions worthy of accompanying the deceased to the afterlife.
• Variations: The types of seaxes found in graves vary depending on the region, the period, and the social status of the deceased. This allows archaeologists to track stylistic changes, regional differences, and social hierarchies.
• Associated Finds: Seaxes are often found alongside other grave goods, such as tools (axes, hammers, sickles), weapons (spears, swords, shields), jewelry (brooches, beads, arm rings), and personal items (combs, gaming pieces). These associated finds provide valuable context for understanding the seax's role and the life of the individual buried with it.

Hoards and Stray Finds: Treasures and Lost Possessions

• Hoards: Sometimes, collections of Viking-age artifacts, including seaxes, are found buried together. These hoards may represent:
  • Hidden Wealth: Accumulated wealth, perhaps buried for safekeeping during times of unrest or before a journey.
  • Ritual Deposits: Offerings to the gods, perhaps to ensure good fortune or to appease the spirits.
  • Lost Possessions: The belongings of a group of people who were killed or forced to flee, leaving their valuables behind.
• Stray Finds: Seaxes are also found as isolated objects, often discovered during construction, farming, or other activities that disturb the soil. These finds, while lacking the rich context of a grave or hoard, still provide valuable information about the distribution and use of seaxes.

Geographical Distribution: A Viking World Weapon

Seaxes are found throughout the Viking world, from Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) to the British Isles (England, Scotland, Ireland), Iceland, Greenland, continental Europe (France, Germany, the Netherlands), Russia, and even as far east as the Volga River and the Caspian Sea. This widespread distribution reflects the extensive reach of Viking exploration, trade, raiding, and settlement.

(Note: These numbers are very rough estimates, based on published archaeological reports and museum collections. The actual number of finds is constantly growing as new discoveries are made.)

• See more: Sword Collection

The Seax vs. the Viking Sword: A Comparison – Different Tools for Different Tasks

While the seax and the Viking Sword were both important weapons in the Viking Age, they served different roles and had distinct characteristics. It's not a case of one being "better" than the other; they were complementary tools, each suited to specific tasks and situations.

The "Short Sword" Debate: Defining the Boundaries

The term "short sword" is somewhat ambiguous when applied to the Viking Age. A long seax, with a blade length approaching or exceeding 18 inches, could certainly be considered a short sword. And some shorter, double-edged swords also existed, although they were less common than the longer, classic Viking Sword. However, the seax, in its various forms, was undoubtedly the most common type of "short sword" or large knife used by the Vikings. It was a practical, versatile, and readily available weapon, perfectly suited to the needs of a society that valued both functionality and martial prowess. The ambiguity reflects the reality of Viking-age weaponry: there were no strict, codified categories, and the lines between different types of weapons were often blurred.

Recreating the Seax: Modern Interpretations – Bringing the Past to Life

The enduring fascination with the Viking Age, fueled by historical research, archaeological discoveries, popular culture (movies, TV shows, video games), and the living history movement, has led to a thriving market for replica Viking weapons, including seaxes. These replicas range from purely decorative pieces to highly functional, historically accurate recreations.

Antler Seax Scabbard Replica Sword

Types of Replicas: From Wall-Hangers to Battle-Ready Blades

• Decorative Replicas: These are intended for display only and are typically made from inexpensive materials (stainless steel, zinc alloys) with less attention to historical accuracy. They may have simplified designs, inaccurate blade shapes, or "fantasy" elements. They are often mass-produced and relatively inexpensive.
• Functional Replicas: These are designed for cutting practice (with appropriate safety precautions) or historical reenactment. They are usually made from higher-quality steel (high-carbon steel, sometimes pattern-welded), with more robust construction and a sharper edge. They are intended to be used, although not in actual combat against other people.
• Historically Accurate Replicas: These are meticulously crafted by skilled blacksmiths, using traditional techniques and materials (as far as possible), to create replicas that are as close as possible to original Viking seaxes. They involve extensive research, using archaeological finds as models, and often employ techniques like pattern welding, hand-forging, and the use of authentic materials for hilts and scabbards. These replicas are typically the most expensive, reflecting the time, skill, and materials involved.

Choosing a Replica: Considerations and Informed Decisions

When choosing a replica seax, consider the following factors:

• Purpose: What do you intend to do with the seax?
  • Display: If it's purely for display, a decorative replica might suffice.
  • Reenactment: If you plan to use it in historical reenactment, you'll need a functional replica that meets the safety standards of your reenactment group. This often means a blunted blade made of durable steel.
  • Cutting Practice: If you want to practice cutting techniques (on appropriate targets, never on people or animals), you'll need a sharp, well-made functional replica designed for that purpose. This requires proper training and safety precautions.
  • Collecting: If you're a serious collector, you might seek out historically accurate replicas made by skilled craftspeople.
• Materials:
  • Blade: Look for high-carbon steel (e.g., 1060, 1075, 1095) for a functional blade. Stainless steel is acceptable for decorative replicas. Pattern-welded steel (often called "Damascus steel" today) adds visual appeal and, if done well, can enhance strength.
  • Hilt: Natural materials like wood, bone, antler, or horn are more historically accurate than synthetic materials.
  • Scabbard: Leather is the most common and historically accurate material for seax scabbards.
• Construction:
  • Blade-to-Hilt Attachment: Examine how the blade is attached to the hilt. A strong, secure attachment is crucial for safety and durability. A full tang (where the blade extends through the entire length of the hilt) is generally preferred for functional replicas.
  • Overall Quality: Look for signs of good craftsmanship: a well-finished blade, a tight-fitting hilt, a sturdy scabbard. Avoid replicas that look flimsy or poorly made.
• Historical Accuracy: If authenticity is important to you, do your research. Look for replicas that are based on specific archaeological finds or that closely follow known Viking-age seax types. Compare the replica to images of original seaxes in museum collections or scholarly publications.
• Reputation of the Seller/Maker: Purchase from a reputable seller or maker who specializes in historical replicas or weaponry. Read reviews, ask questions, and look for evidence of their expertise.
• Price: Be realistic about the price. A high-quality, historically accurate, functional replica will likely cost significantly more than a mass-produced, decorative piece. Consider it an investment in a piece of craftsmanship.
• Legal Restrictions: Research if you are allowed to buy it.

Hypothetical Seax Stories – Giving the Artifacts a Voice

"The Farmer's Protector" – A Tale of Everyday Life

Imagine a small, narrow seax, with a plain, unadorned wooden hilt and a well-worn, but still sharp, iron blade. It's not a fancy weapon; it's a tool, first and foremost. This seax belonged to Leif, a free farmer in a small coastal village in Norway.

• Daily Use: Leif uses "The Farmer's Protector" for everything. He uses it to butcher the occasional pig or sheep, to cut rope and twine in the fields, to mend fishing nets, to whittle wood for small repairs around his home, and to prepare his meals. It's always at his side, tucked into a simple leather sheath at his belt.

Camel Bone Damascus Seax

• A Moment of Danger: One evening, while Leif is checking his livestock, a pack of wolves emerges from the forest, drawn by the scent of the sheep. Leif, armed only with his seax, stands his ground, shouting and waving the blade to scare off the wolves. The seax, though small, proves its worth, deterring the predators and protecting his livelihood.
• A Symbol of Self-Reliance: "The Farmer's Protector" is not a symbol of status or military might; it's a symbol of Leif's self-reliance, his ability to provide for his family, and his readiness to defend his home. It represents the vast majority of seaxes in the Viking Age – the everyday tools of ordinary people.

"The Trader's Companion" – A Journey Across the Seas

Astrid, a shrewd and adventurous merchant, travels the trade routes between Scandinavia and the Frankish Empire. She carries a broad seax, "The Trader's Companion," with a slightly curved blade and a hilt decorated with simple brass inlays.

• A Tool of Trade: Astrid uses her seax for practical tasks related to her trade: cutting ropes on her ship, opening crates and barrels, and preparing food during her long voyages. It's a versatile tool that's always within reach.
• Protection on the Road: The trade routes are not always safe. Pirates and bandits are a constant threat. Astrid's seax is her primary means of self-defense, a weapon she can wield effectively in close quarters. She's practiced with it, knowing that her life might depend on her skill.
• A Bargaining Chip: In one particular transaction, Astrid is negotiating with a Frankish merchant for a bolt of fine silk. The merchant is reluctant to lower his price. Astrid, noticing his interest in her seax, offers it as part of the deal. The merchant, impressed by the quality of the blade and the subtle artistry of the hilt, agrees to her terms. The seax, in this case, becomes a valuable commodity in itself.
• See more: The Art Of the Viking Sword

"The Raider's Bite" – A Weapon of War