Deepeeka Viking Scramaseax
Apr 20, 2009 10:42:19 GMT
Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2009 10:42:19 GMT
Introduction:
I’ve always had a particular passion for the Norse culture, we call them Vikings but that was really more a term to “Go a Viking”.
This was the expression for going raiding, a certain element of neccessity in that area and time. But the Norse cultures were far more then barbaric raiders, they were shrewd traders, the most widly traveled sea farers, agriculturalists, craftsman and many parts and elements of their culture came down to sourcing the most effectives methods and tools for achieving their goals.
To the Norse a tool or weapon often had a duality to it, a double or triple purpose, often used vice versa an axe could fell a tree or an enemy. A knife could slice game flesh and man flesh (hey who knows maybe their helms became cooking pots now and again).
So one of their all trade weapons was the Norse long knife or Seax.
Historical Overview:
Going by a variety of terms, Sax, Seax, Scramasax(seax), somewhat depending on the size whether a small camp knife or a full short sword. Earliest finds have been around the 5th Century.
Richard Underwood's description of the basic seax form in his book Anglo-Saxon Weapons and Warfare:
The blade of the knife terminates in an iron tang by which the grip was attached. The grip was made of perishable material such as wood, horn or bone, and does not generally survive. The majority of knives have quite short tangs, between 3cm and 7cm long, although occasionally it is much longer, suggesting the grip was suitable to be gripped in two hands. The tang is usually a plain iron bar tapering towards the end. It can therefore be presumed that the grip was bored out to hold the tang which was held in place by friction, perhaps aided by softwood wedges or glue. It is possible the tang was heated and burned into place although this would tend to weaken the fabric of the grip. Occasionally knives have metal hilt fittings, either a pommel or both a lower-guard and pommel
The term “broke-back” is in terms to the edge being straight, the spine following parallel before dropping at a long angle towards the tip making for a needle acute point. This weapon would of been the Norse’s bread and butter weapon. It would of cut material like rope and cloth, whittled and carved, dressed game and used as a short range slashing and piercing weapon with more speed then an axe and cheaper then a sword. Worn on a horizontal sheath on the back or front left of the belt it was a quick draw and lightning quick.
This offering is from Deepeeka and its probably the most functional bit of Deepeeka kit I’ve come across, that does tend to speak volumes within itself. While alot of blades within the community produced by Deepeeka are pretty much carbon steel SLO’s this does stand out abit in that the very nature of its function was its insurance towards being a functional short blade cutter.
Initial Impressions:
This little number came lovingly wrapped in newspaper by my lovely Brothers IN Arms (aka close mates whom I’ve shared way to many a drink) from the Brothers AT Arms (Chris and Ken Foster a WMA school in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia). This little piece had been in their store for a few years and was going for cheap, so my mates bought it for my birthday. You can pick this up at Kult of (really good prices) Athena for about $65.00US
I've got this in the sword section more so then other weapons (eg knife and dagger) because of its length and weight bringing it into the short sword range.
Statistics:
Overall Length: 23inches
Blade Length: 17 inches
Weight: 2.4lbs
This blade is very much more Scramaseax then short Seax, its a short sword and at just over 2lbs its coming close to a full sized single handed arming sword.
The style of blade with the simple fuller near the spine is quite within historical parameters, the full tang with wooden handle scales seems to have two metal pins and a steel plate for pommel are also somewhat in the historical grounds. The shape of the handle is not, its majorly curved around which makes for a little interesting dynamic as the blades leading into the cut WAY before you are, maybe just a little to much. I know this is quite good for a kukhri but guys the Seax’s blade isn’t exhibiting the same cutting design as the lop forward of the kukhri.
OH and the assembled parts are done with COPIOUS amounts of dark green adhesive, but its fairly unobtrusive and cleanly formed.
The scabbard is leather and really thick and stiff, quite good and appropriate I think. A downside is the quality of forging as isn’t uncommon by cheap manufacturers. The blade isn’t straight to the tang. Yeah bummer. You could fix it be reheating and bending back true because I’m not majorly convinced on the tempering on this blade.
I used an Accusharp for about 30mins to put a serviceable edge on it and for the most part it slices a light milk bottle cleanly and quickly. However anything tougher like a soda bottle it wont cut full way, some T.L.C on the edge with hones and stones might get it up to the soda plastic stage.
Pros:
Cheap, very cheap.
Historically accurate until it hits the handle.
Probably the biggest Norse Seax on the cheap market (short of going custom).
Cons:
Deepeeka tempering standard (maybe haven’t abused it ........ yet)
Blade isn’t straight (mine anyway).
Handle is way to curved and inaccurate.
Alot of glue is holding this sucker together, its strong but ...... well glue is glue.
Overall: Want a cheap Scramaseax thats bigger then your average seax long knife then this might be for you. But its got alot of “maybe’s” and questions as to its strength, durability and solidness as a weapon going on tool. Might use it to cut a bottle, don’t think I’ll turn to it when I need a big tool knife.
I’ve always had a particular passion for the Norse culture, we call them Vikings but that was really more a term to “Go a Viking”.
This was the expression for going raiding, a certain element of neccessity in that area and time. But the Norse cultures were far more then barbaric raiders, they were shrewd traders, the most widly traveled sea farers, agriculturalists, craftsman and many parts and elements of their culture came down to sourcing the most effectives methods and tools for achieving their goals.
To the Norse a tool or weapon often had a duality to it, a double or triple purpose, often used vice versa an axe could fell a tree or an enemy. A knife could slice game flesh and man flesh (hey who knows maybe their helms became cooking pots now and again).
So one of their all trade weapons was the Norse long knife or Seax.
Historical Overview:
Going by a variety of terms, Sax, Seax, Scramasax(seax), somewhat depending on the size whether a small camp knife or a full short sword. Earliest finds have been around the 5th Century.
Richard Underwood's description of the basic seax form in his book Anglo-Saxon Weapons and Warfare:
The blade of the knife terminates in an iron tang by which the grip was attached. The grip was made of perishable material such as wood, horn or bone, and does not generally survive. The majority of knives have quite short tangs, between 3cm and 7cm long, although occasionally it is much longer, suggesting the grip was suitable to be gripped in two hands. The tang is usually a plain iron bar tapering towards the end. It can therefore be presumed that the grip was bored out to hold the tang which was held in place by friction, perhaps aided by softwood wedges or glue. It is possible the tang was heated and burned into place although this would tend to weaken the fabric of the grip. Occasionally knives have metal hilt fittings, either a pommel or both a lower-guard and pommel
The term “broke-back” is in terms to the edge being straight, the spine following parallel before dropping at a long angle towards the tip making for a needle acute point. This weapon would of been the Norse’s bread and butter weapon. It would of cut material like rope and cloth, whittled and carved, dressed game and used as a short range slashing and piercing weapon with more speed then an axe and cheaper then a sword. Worn on a horizontal sheath on the back or front left of the belt it was a quick draw and lightning quick.
This offering is from Deepeeka and its probably the most functional bit of Deepeeka kit I’ve come across, that does tend to speak volumes within itself. While alot of blades within the community produced by Deepeeka are pretty much carbon steel SLO’s this does stand out abit in that the very nature of its function was its insurance towards being a functional short blade cutter.
Initial Impressions:
This little number came lovingly wrapped in newspaper by my lovely Brothers IN Arms (aka close mates whom I’ve shared way to many a drink) from the Brothers AT Arms (Chris and Ken Foster a WMA school in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia). This little piece had been in their store for a few years and was going for cheap, so my mates bought it for my birthday. You can pick this up at Kult of (really good prices) Athena for about $65.00US
I've got this in the sword section more so then other weapons (eg knife and dagger) because of its length and weight bringing it into the short sword range.
Statistics:
Overall Length: 23inches
Blade Length: 17 inches
Weight: 2.4lbs
This blade is very much more Scramaseax then short Seax, its a short sword and at just over 2lbs its coming close to a full sized single handed arming sword.
The style of blade with the simple fuller near the spine is quite within historical parameters, the full tang with wooden handle scales seems to have two metal pins and a steel plate for pommel are also somewhat in the historical grounds. The shape of the handle is not, its majorly curved around which makes for a little interesting dynamic as the blades leading into the cut WAY before you are, maybe just a little to much. I know this is quite good for a kukhri but guys the Seax’s blade isn’t exhibiting the same cutting design as the lop forward of the kukhri.
OH and the assembled parts are done with COPIOUS amounts of dark green adhesive, but its fairly unobtrusive and cleanly formed.
The scabbard is leather and really thick and stiff, quite good and appropriate I think. A downside is the quality of forging as isn’t uncommon by cheap manufacturers. The blade isn’t straight to the tang. Yeah bummer. You could fix it be reheating and bending back true because I’m not majorly convinced on the tempering on this blade.
I used an Accusharp for about 30mins to put a serviceable edge on it and for the most part it slices a light milk bottle cleanly and quickly. However anything tougher like a soda bottle it wont cut full way, some T.L.C on the edge with hones and stones might get it up to the soda plastic stage.
Pros:
Cheap, very cheap.
Historically accurate until it hits the handle.
Probably the biggest Norse Seax on the cheap market (short of going custom).
Cons:
Deepeeka tempering standard (maybe haven’t abused it ........ yet)
Blade isn’t straight (mine anyway).
Handle is way to curved and inaccurate.
Alot of glue is holding this sucker together, its strong but ...... well glue is glue.
Overall: Want a cheap Scramaseax thats bigger then your average seax long knife then this might be for you. But its got alot of “maybe’s” and questions as to its strength, durability and solidness as a weapon going on tool. Might use it to cut a bottle, don’t think I’ll turn to it when I need a big tool knife.