Dark Age and Viking Swords

Viking Swords have a reputation for being brutal, heavy, and unwieldy.

These swords and misconceptions about them are made popular by films like The Thirteenth Warrior, in which the main character (played by Antonio Bandaras) can barely lift one, let alone fight with it.

While in reality the Norse Sword is still a savage chopping weapon, it is much different from what popular culture would have us believe...

Most experts agree that Viking Swords as they are commonly recognized grew out of interactions between the Roman Empire and Germanic Cultures that made their way North.

The earliest finds of were single-edged, like the Scramasax, a short, single-edged blade common across Europe but especially with Viking and Germanic cultures (pictured below, though historically they were not generally found stuck through a plastic target).

A scramasax dagger piercing a water filled jug

However, after the 8th century the Spatha was introduced to Norway, and the development of doubled-edged swords began. In fact, some believe that it was out of these 'Viking' designs that the classic Medieval Sword grew. The definitive work on the development of Viking Swords was written in 1919 by Jan Petersen, entitled 'De Norske Vikingsverd'.

An Antique Viking Sword

While Viking Swords may appear to be the same across the board, Petersen identified 26 different types in common use from the 8th century and onward.

These were mainly defined by their hilt and pommel variations, as the blade types were quite similar - averaging 94 cm in length, deep, wide fullers, and yet almost exclusively one-handed (Vikings tended to fight with a sword in one hand and an axe, buckler or other weapon in the other hand).

The blades also began showing signs of early distal tapers, which led to them being quite well-balanced and comparatively light to later Medieval Two-Handed Swords.

In 1927, R. Wheeler distilled Petersen's 26 types down to 9, from I to IX, which paved the way for the Oakeshott Typology system for Medieval Swords. The differences from type I-IX can be difficult to spot, as the characteristics that make the Viking Sword so unique (smaller hilt, the decorative pommel beneath a single-handed grip) have many variations.

R. Wheelers 9 Types of Hilt Configurations for Viking Swords

In our price range there are a large number of available products. Virtually every budget sword maker has tried their hand at a Viking design, with varying degrees of success. However, from SBG's favorite forges come some highly attractive, well-priced and well-made pieces that would have made any Viking warrior welcome in the Halls of Valhalla.

Legacy Arms Viking Swords
(formerly known as Generation 2)

Perhaps the most historically accurate of all replica Viking swords under the $300 price point is the River Witham sword reviewed below.

In fact, their River Witham model consistently impresses sword owners who have access to much more expensive models. Consider this statement from one of our SBG sword forum members who owned one;

"If someone were to have handed me this sword without me having any prior knowledge of it, I would have said it was from Albion at first glance. Then I would have noticed small things like the grip being suede (Albion has different grips obviously), the slightly irregular fuller, and the imperfect diamonds, and I would be really stumped! Here is a sword that is shaped and handles like an albion..."

With high praise like that, it is no wonder that these Viking swords are so popular...

Generation 2 River Witham

Quite historically accurate. Looks and performs like a much more expensive sword, but hard to find in stock. $305

Kingdom of Arms Viking Swords

Also made in the Philippines, but by an older, neighboring sword forge (Blade Culture International) the Viking Swords made to the specifications of the original founder of Gen2/Legacy Arms, Mr. Clyde Hollis are generally regarded as the best of what this country with a long history of blademaking has to offer.

Unfortunately, their addition to the world of replica Viking Swords has not been quite as well received as some of their other swords, but still holds it own.

KoA 10th Century Viking Sword

A sword with a lot of potential, let down by a few minor flaws in design and execution. Not their best sword, but not a bad one either.. $712

KoA Hjalmar Viking Sword

Another solidly made performer based on the legend of Hjalmar from the Swedish Sagas. $680

4 Star Rating

Windlass Steelcrafts Viking Swords

Windlass has produced several Viking swords over the years. Unfortunately, few of them remain around long enough to gain much popularity, as Windlass tends to rotate their production stock fairly frequently.

That being said, they have some classics that have stood the test of time, including one that I would have to rate as the best value for money in this entire category - and several others  - ranging from some very attractive pieces to those that end up in pieces (which have, thankfully been discontinued. The sword market often works its way out like this..)

Windlass Sticklestad Sword

Awesome handling, solidly made and incredible value for money. $242.95

Windlass Leuterit Sword

Attractive, good handling, solidly built - even the scabbard is nice..! $238

Windlass Ulfberht Sword

Maybe not quite as good as the originals, but quite good for the money. $244.95


Quick Comparative Review

Click the image to see a quick side by side comparison of the Sticklestad, Leuterit & Ulfberht Viking Swords by Windlass steelcrafts - swords that have been in continuous production for well over a decade now - and that says something..

To quote the author:"To be honest I expected them to feel like three identical swords with different cosmetics, I couldn't have been more wrong."


Windlass Damascus Viking

A nice piece of functional sword art, though a little tip heavy. $449.95

DISCONTINUED SWORDS - REVIEW ARCHIVE

Click on the image for the Archived Review


Windlass Dark Age Sword: Reviewed by popular YouTube celebrity Skallagrim before he was known as Skallagrim - this sword had a lot of potential, but ended up a mess and will not be particularly missed.


Windlass Beowulf Sword: A lot of people were looking forward to this fairly decent historical replica of a migration era sword. That was before they found out Windlass took a nasty shortcut and used a bit of break apart plastic for one of the decorative pommel rings that is..


Deepeeka Viking Swords

Most of the Viking swords made by Deepeeka of India are, frankly, junk. But every now and again they consistently produce a real gem. This is one such item..

Deepeeka Norwegian Viking Sword

Made in consulation with a pre-emenent Viking re-enactor, this is definitely one of Deepeeka's finer swords. $252

4 Star Rating

Cold Steel Viking Swords

Cold steel tend to take a shotgun approach to their functional sword range - covering as many eras and cultures as possible with at least one sword marketed for its cutting power and durability.

Their offering to the world of Viking swords is no exception - but for this one, historical accuracy takes a back seat.

Cold Steel Viking Sword

It's not really Viking, not really Celtic, and not really well balanced. $299.95

Hanwei Forge Viking Swords

Hanwei have almost bowed out of the Viking sword market, but they still have at least a couple of swords that has been doing the rounds..

Hanwei Godfred Viking Sword

A Damascus folded steel blade with austere fittings. Not a bad attempt, though a little expensive. $499.95

Hanwei Tinker Viking Sword

Part of the Tinker Pearce designed sword series, a great blade and so much potential, but not the complete package.. $253.95

Hanwei Practical Viking Sword

An early review by Brenno from Fableblades shows his early inclinations to customize.. $146.95

Darksword Armory Viking Swords

Darksword Armory have actually had quite a decent range of super tough, beater Viking swords over the years. Not all of them have been reviewed here, but from what has you should get a pretty good idea of what to expect from their offerings.

Darksword Armory Oslo Viking

A sword that has been revised several times, getting better each revision.. $650

DISCONTINUED SWORDS - REVIEW ARCHIVE

Click on the image for the Archived Review


Darksword Armory Saxon Sword: The Saxon by Darksword Armory was a simple design, but despite it's simplicity was actually quite attractive and authentic. But as with all DSA swords, it had a reputation for extreme durability - and in this review it was certainly put through its paces (and then some).


Del Tin

Del Tin is an Italian sword making company with a long reputation for making quite historically accurate ancient and medieval European swords. Their range of Viking swords are no exception..

Del Tin 10th Century Viking

A short but sweet review that explains a little more about transitional Viking Swords. $423.95

Del Tin Late Period Viking

A good historically accurate replica of the famous Cawood Viking Sword by Del Tin of Italy. $424.95

Balaur Arms Viking Swords

In terms of value for money, we have saved the best for last..

Kult of Athena's house brand Balaur Arms offers some affordable yet very historically accurate Viking swords. In our hands on review of a Viking Type H sword, we compare it to other similar Type H swords on the market.

Balaur Arms Type H

Accurate, well made and very reasonably priced. The Type H is a winner by anyone's measurement. $284

5 Star Rating

Further Resources

One of the best online resources on Viking Blades is a translation project of Jan Petersen's work, available here at Viking Sword.com

The site includes diagrams, historical information, and photographs of actual recovered relics from Viking Times. The language can be a bit academic at times and the translation is no where near complete, but it is a good introduction to the genre. As always, the various sword forums are a good place to learn more about any type of sword.


I hope this information on replica Viking Swords has been helpful. To return to the Sword Buyers Guides Homepage from Modern Replicas of Viking Swords, click here.

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