The Viking sword
Design & Specifications Feature Details Total Length 90–100 cm (35–39 inches) Blade Double-edged, broad, tapering to a point (70–80 cm long) Weight 1.0–1.5 kg (2.2–3.3 lbs) Grip One-handed, leather-wrapped, designed for use with a shield Guard & Pommel Short cross-guard and lobed pommel, often decorated with metal inlays Fuller Central groove to reduce weight while maintaining strength
Materials & Craftsmanship Component Details Blade Construction Early: Pattern-welded steel with visible twisting patterns. Later: High-quality crucible steel (e.g., Ulfberht swords). Decoration Silver, copper, or gold inlays on hilts; some blades bore runic inscriptions. Scabbards Wood and leather, occasionally lined with fur for blade protection. Forging Techniques Imported steel from the East (e.g., India/Persia) used for elite Ulfberht swords.
Image: From Assassins Creed: Valhalla
A subset of Viking swords marked by superior craftsmanship:
Inscription : “+ULFBERH+T” etched into the blade.Material : Crucible steel with high carbon content, rare in Europe at the time.Significance : Only 170 found globally, likely owned by elite warriors or nobles.
Combat Use
Primary Function : Slashing and cutting in close combat.Tactics : Paired with round shields, axes, or seax knive s; ideal for shield-wall formations and raids.Durability : Lightweight design allowed for rapid strikes, suited to Viking hit-and-run strategies.
Ownership & Cultural Significance
Owners : Wealthy warriors, chieftains (jarls), or seasoned raiders.Rituals : Buried with owners or ritually bent to “kill” the blade for the afterlife.Symbolism : Represented honour, masculinity, and divine favour in Norse sagas (e.g., called “wound-snake” in poetry).
Famous Viking Sword Finds Sword Location Significance Ulfberht Swords Across Europe Elite blades with Eastern steel; 170 discovered. Gnezdovo Sword Russia Evidence of Norse influence in Slavic territories. Sutton Hoo Swords England Anglo-Saxon burial finds with Viking design links.
Viking Swords in Pop Culture Collecting Viking Swords Today
Replicas : £400–£4,000+ (crafted by brands like Albion Swords).Antiques : Rare originals held in museums (e.g., British Museum).Uses : Historical reenactments, martial arts (e.g., HEMA ), or display.
Key Facts
Named Blades : Swords like Leg-Biter and Wrath appear in sagas.Design Evolution : Transitioned from pattern-welded to crucible steel.Mythology : Believed to carry the spirit of their wielder.
Learn More
Books : The Viking Sword by Ian Peirce, Weapons of the Viking Warrior by Gareth Williams.Museums : British Museum (London), National Museum of Denmark (Copenhagen).Sagas : The Saga of the Volsungs , Egil’s Saga .
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