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Modern Replicas of
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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).
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.”
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.
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In our price range there are a large number of available products. Virtually every budget swordmaker has tried their hand at a Viking design, with varying degrees of success. However, from SBG’s favourite forges come some highly attractive, well-priced and well-made pieces that would have made any Viking warrior welcome in the Halls of Valhalla.
Generation 2 deals out their Viking Swords with the same quality and brilliance as the rest of their line. Their Viking Swords are easily among the most popular for SBG Sword forum members, and have quality well above their price point. In fact, their River Witham model consistently impresses sword owners who have access to much more expensive models. Consider this statement;
“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...” – from Grayson C’s second opinion review
With high praise like that, it is no wonder that these Viking swords are so popular...
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Generation 2 also offers their 10th century Viking, here at AoV - They also have a specialty version called the “Sword of Gurm” that is exactly the same but comes with a limited edition print by fantasy artist Erik. T Hilliker.
All of these Generation 2 Viking swords are available from our friend Jason at AoV with the 10% discount coupon code SBG – making it the best deal for these particular blades anywhere on the internet.
Windlass has produced several Viking-type 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, there are several models they have in production currently - ranging from some very attractive pieces to those that end up in pieces (see the reviews below for more info).
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Cold Steel’s reputation for strength and durability shines with its contribution to this category, which comes sharp out of the box. And as you can see, the official Cold Steel promo video shows that theseswords are quite efficient cutters – if extremely contemporary (and actually more 'Celtic' than Viking) in their design.
Valiant Armory have a couple of Norse Swords on offer. The first, and the one which is reviewed here, is a somewhat clunky beater of a blade from the companies earliest incarnation, though one which is still in production.
The second, called quite simply the Norseman (pictured above) - is a much more attractive (if still somewhat a historical) piece that appears to be quite attractive and well built, though as it has only become available in October 2007 has not yet been reviewed or tested, but looks quite promising...
While Hanwei is certainly better known for their katana, they do have a product in the Viking category that, while unsharpened, can be given an edge to be a wicked cutting weapon, as well as the obligatory back up side arm – the Scramasax...
Darksword Armoury
Well known on SBG for producing some of the most durable unsharpened blades available in the sub US$300 price point – their Dark age and Viking swords, are also some of the most aesthetically pleasing.
Not to mention as tough as old boots…!
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 forums at myarmory 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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