"Reviews and Info on Replica Swords of the Vikings and Other Dark Age Cultures..."
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).
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.
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 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.
NEED HELP FINDING YOUR PERFECT SWORD?
It's a looong page and there are a lot of reviews here - but if you want to just want some recommendations based on what you are looking for in a good Viking sword...
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 Câs second opinion review
With high praise like that, it is no wonder that these Viking swords are so popular...
GENERATION 2 Sword Reviews
"River Witham Viking Sword"
Generation 2
PRICE: US$269 to $299
OVERVIEW: Developed in conjuction with the late sword historian Hank Reinhardt based on an actual antique found in the River Witham, this is actually one of Generation 2's finest creations and comes very close to getting a full 5 start rating.
OVERVIEW: A second opinion review of the same sword shown above, with the same basic conclusion - this is a very high quality sword without a very high price tag!
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, 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).
WINDLASS Sword Reviews
"Sticklestad Sword"
Windlass Steelcrafts
PRICE: US$169 to $225
OVERVIEW: This is my personal favorite Viking sword, apart from the suede handle wrap that is (otherwise it would have been a 5 star rating).. But in terms of handling, durability and performance - it is in a league of its own.
OVERVIEW: With an incredibly beautiful Damascus appearance, this very attractive sword is also quite functional - but better as a 'functional display sword' rather than a heavy duty workhorse.
OVERVIEW: This really could have been a unique ring hilted Viking sword, but was let down badly by the durability (or lack of) in one important component...
OVERVIEW: Very tough, but also very heavy and was not so easy to handle. Still it was not a bad sword, but it's possible to do a lot better and the fact that it is discontinued is no huge loss..
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 these swords are quite efficient cutters - if extremely contemporary (and actually more 'Celtic' than Viking) in their design.
VIDEO: Cold Steel Promotional Video
While it is more of a 'Viking themed' sword than anything else, there is little doubt that this sword can cut...
COLD STEEL Sword Reviews
"Viking Sword"
Cold Steel
PRICE: US$239 to $424
OVERVIEW: A sword with a bit of an identity crisis - more Celtic than Viking, and not based on anything historical. Strong blade and very sharp, but a bit expensive for what it is.
Valiant Armory have a couple of Norse Swords on offer - and they could not be much more radically different! The first, which comes from a time before Sonny Suttles took over the company (click here to read more about Valiant Armoury on our sister site), is really something of clunky beater of a blade from the companies.
And the second one, part of their 'Signature Series' designed by the legendary Angus Trim and Christian Fletcher, is almost equivalent to the highest end production swords!
VALIANT ARMOURY Sword Reviews
"Viking Sword"
Valiant Armoury
PRICE: US$164 to $219
OVERVIEW: Clunky, vaguely sword like in appearance - but quiet cheap and as tough as nails. Won't suit the more discriminating collector.
OVERVIEW: With a blade designed by Angus Trim and fittings dreamed up by Christian Fletcher, this is easily one of the most attractive and high quality Viking swords on the market, and while it is not cheap, it is definitely more than a worthwhile purchase..
While Hanwei is certainly better known for their katana, they do have a couple of products in the Viking category - one very affordable sparring sword at the low end of town and a Damascus steel model that has both its fans and detractors.
HANWEI Viking Sword Reviews
"Practical Viking Sword"
Hanwei Forge
PRICE: US$84 to $185
OVERVIEW: Very cheap, very simple, and a lot of fun. In this review, Brendan takes this simple sword and turns it into something entirely different. Very interesting review.
OVERVIEW: At the MSRP of $619, this sword is seriously overpriced.. But when you can source it for $299, this Damascus blade is an alternative choice to the Windlass Damascus Viking Sword Reviewed elsewhere. A decent sword, but could be better.
OVERVIEW: It doesn't cost much, isn't too bad in the way of historical accuracy - and like the originals - is very utilitarian. A good value for money buy.
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!
DARKSWORD ARMOURY VIKING Reviews
"Oslo Viking Sword"
Darksword Armory
PRICE: US$310
OVERVIEW: This is one mean sword with very ornate and attractive fittings. Has recently been updated with a more securely wrapped handle which was an issue on the first generation of this model.
OVERVIEW: Simple and very honest, this Saxon sword looks surprisingly attractive despite being almost void of any real features, and is as tough as they come. Quite a shame it was discontinued, but the new swords that replaced it are equally as good (if not better!)
OVERVIEW: A unique leaf-blade sword, but not at all historically accurate - and a bit on the heavy side.. However that said, Jasons review and testing reveals that it is still a decent and very durable piece, (just a little expensive when compared to other DSA models)...
While the price tag may be a bit above the US$300 mark, one very interesting Viking sword deserves a mention (and a review) and that is the G802 Viking Sword by Global Gear.
One of the most unique Viking swords on the market, it has a DIFFERENTIALLY HARDENED blade (in other words, a temper line like a Japanese hamon on both sides of the blade) and
cuts like no-ones business...
Read the review below to see what I mean.
OTHER VIKING SWORD REVIEWS
"G802 Viking Sword"
Global Gear
PRICE: AU$490
OVERVIEW: This would have to be one of the most unique swords on the market, very lightweight, incredibly sharp and with a differentially hardened edge on both sides and temperline!
A big shout out to Dan Dacombe (aka Sept of the Clan Sinclair) from the SBG Sword Forum for drafting out this page! Great stuff mate!!
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.
