Deepeeka Scramaseax
Aug 27, 2012 13:52:24 GMT
Post by frogdude on Aug 27, 2012 13:52:24 GMT
I wasn't sure whether to put this here, or in Other Weapons Reviews. It feels more like a short sword than a big knife though, so here it is. Mods feel free to move this if appropriate.
Introduction
As someone who is slightly obsessed with Saxon & Viking culture and interested in re-enactment, obviously i needed a seax of some kind. Trouble is i'm poor, and there aren't that many options here in the UK. The Windlass one is over £100, and i don't really like the grip or pommel, so that's out. The Hanwei Practical one is a better price, but it has a weird rounded tip like a butter knife. Then i stumbled across this one on The Knight Shop's website, and it looked good. I've heard negative things about Deepeeka, but since it was priced at about £45 i thought i'd give it a go.
It arrived after about 4 days in a big sturdy box along with some other bits i'd ordered, and was extremely well packed. It was in 3 layers of bubble wrap and tape, and a plastic bag. It was in it's sheath, but with another plastic bag keeping the generous layer of grease where it belongs - on the blade not on the inside of the sheath.
Historical overview
Most of you guys probably know more about this than i do, so feel free to correct me if i get anything wrong.
The seax, sax, or scramas(e)ax was a single edged knife used by Germanic tribes throughout the Dark Ages. It was worn hanging horizontally on the back of a belt, and ranged in size from smallish knife to short sword. It was used as a general purpose knife and backup weapon.
Full Disclosure
I have no connection to The Knight Shop, and this is the first Deepeeka item i've seen "in the flesh".
I'm no expert on these things, and others may have a different opinion.
Initial Impressions
As stated this came from The Knight Shop, who kept me well updated about the status of my order and emailed shipping details/tracking info etc. It arrived after about 4 days of waiting in a big sturdy box along with some other bits i'd ordered, and was extremely well packed. It was in 3 layers of bubble wrap and tape, and a plastic bag. It was in it's sheath, but with another plastic bag keeping the generous layer of grease where it belongs - on the blade not on the inside of the sheath.
The first thing that struck me was the weight - i don't have any scales, so i can't tell you how heavy, but it's a real solid beast. There are no rattles or play in the components, and it feels really solid and well put together.
Statistics
Blade Length: 13 3/4"
Blade Width: 1 7/8ths"
Blade Thickness: 3/8ths"
Overall Length: 20 1/8th"
POB (Point of Balance): around 2" from guard
Components
The blade is advertised as EN45 spring steel. It has a slightly uneven surface which makes me think it's hand forged, anyway i rather like the look - makes it more "real" if you know what i mean. The spine and edge are straight and true though. It came blunt, (as it's not advertised as being functional) the edge being about 1mm thick. This leads me to my first quibble - it's sharpened on the "wrong side" of the blade for my liking. I was hoping for a broken back seax, with the straight edge being sharpened and the curved edge the spine. Still, i should have asked before ordering and i still would have bought it anyway.
I have no idea about the heat treatment this blade has had (if any), and although i am going to sharpen it it won't see any heavy usage - light camp chores only. If i need to split firewood i have my axes.
The handle i really like. It's attractive and comfortable in my medium sized paws. It's wrapped in what appears to be brass wire. Not sure how comfortable it would be for long sessions though, and maybe the wire could get slippery when wet.
The guard and pommel are cast metal painted black, and feel a bit "tinny". They look nice enough though. There's a tiny bit of glue residue around the fittings, which should come off OK.
The brown leather sheath is plain but attractive, and seems well made. There's no hanging straps though, and that leads me to my second niggle - it's a bit of a loose fit which will make it impossible to carry in the traditional manner without fear of it falling out. Suggestions welcome on how to deal with this!!!
Handling Characteristics
I don't know how these are supposed to handle, but the weight makes me think this would be an efficient chopper!
Summary
Overall i'm very pleased with my purchase. It feels much better than i've been led to believe Deepeekas usually do, and for the price i really can't knock it.
I'm also happy with the service i recieved from The Knight Shop, and will definitely order from there again.
Pros
Price
Appearance
Solid feel
Oh, and did i mention the price?!
Cons
Loose fitting sheath
"Wrong side" sharpened
No hanging straps
Unknown heat treatment
The Bottom Line
I'd wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone looking for a seax on a budget, who doesn't need to use it for any heavy duty tasks.
Introduction
As someone who is slightly obsessed with Saxon & Viking culture and interested in re-enactment, obviously i needed a seax of some kind. Trouble is i'm poor, and there aren't that many options here in the UK. The Windlass one is over £100, and i don't really like the grip or pommel, so that's out. The Hanwei Practical one is a better price, but it has a weird rounded tip like a butter knife. Then i stumbled across this one on The Knight Shop's website, and it looked good. I've heard negative things about Deepeeka, but since it was priced at about £45 i thought i'd give it a go.
It arrived after about 4 days in a big sturdy box along with some other bits i'd ordered, and was extremely well packed. It was in 3 layers of bubble wrap and tape, and a plastic bag. It was in it's sheath, but with another plastic bag keeping the generous layer of grease where it belongs - on the blade not on the inside of the sheath.
Historical overview
Most of you guys probably know more about this than i do, so feel free to correct me if i get anything wrong.
The seax, sax, or scramas(e)ax was a single edged knife used by Germanic tribes throughout the Dark Ages. It was worn hanging horizontally on the back of a belt, and ranged in size from smallish knife to short sword. It was used as a general purpose knife and backup weapon.
Full Disclosure
I have no connection to The Knight Shop, and this is the first Deepeeka item i've seen "in the flesh".
I'm no expert on these things, and others may have a different opinion.
Initial Impressions
As stated this came from The Knight Shop, who kept me well updated about the status of my order and emailed shipping details/tracking info etc. It arrived after about 4 days of waiting in a big sturdy box along with some other bits i'd ordered, and was extremely well packed. It was in 3 layers of bubble wrap and tape, and a plastic bag. It was in it's sheath, but with another plastic bag keeping the generous layer of grease where it belongs - on the blade not on the inside of the sheath.
The first thing that struck me was the weight - i don't have any scales, so i can't tell you how heavy, but it's a real solid beast. There are no rattles or play in the components, and it feels really solid and well put together.
Statistics
Blade Length: 13 3/4"
Blade Width: 1 7/8ths"
Blade Thickness: 3/8ths"
Overall Length: 20 1/8th"
POB (Point of Balance): around 2" from guard
Components
The blade is advertised as EN45 spring steel. It has a slightly uneven surface which makes me think it's hand forged, anyway i rather like the look - makes it more "real" if you know what i mean. The spine and edge are straight and true though. It came blunt, (as it's not advertised as being functional) the edge being about 1mm thick. This leads me to my first quibble - it's sharpened on the "wrong side" of the blade for my liking. I was hoping for a broken back seax, with the straight edge being sharpened and the curved edge the spine. Still, i should have asked before ordering and i still would have bought it anyway.
I have no idea about the heat treatment this blade has had (if any), and although i am going to sharpen it it won't see any heavy usage - light camp chores only. If i need to split firewood i have my axes.
The handle i really like. It's attractive and comfortable in my medium sized paws. It's wrapped in what appears to be brass wire. Not sure how comfortable it would be for long sessions though, and maybe the wire could get slippery when wet.
The guard and pommel are cast metal painted black, and feel a bit "tinny". They look nice enough though. There's a tiny bit of glue residue around the fittings, which should come off OK.
The brown leather sheath is plain but attractive, and seems well made. There's no hanging straps though, and that leads me to my second niggle - it's a bit of a loose fit which will make it impossible to carry in the traditional manner without fear of it falling out. Suggestions welcome on how to deal with this!!!
Handling Characteristics
I don't know how these are supposed to handle, but the weight makes me think this would be an efficient chopper!
Summary
Overall i'm very pleased with my purchase. It feels much better than i've been led to believe Deepeekas usually do, and for the price i really can't knock it.
I'm also happy with the service i recieved from The Knight Shop, and will definitely order from there again.
Pros
Price
Appearance
Solid feel
Oh, and did i mention the price?!
Cons
Loose fitting sheath
"Wrong side" sharpened
No hanging straps
Unknown heat treatment
The Bottom Line
I'd wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone looking for a seax on a budget, who doesn't need to use it for any heavy duty tasks.