What is a sax and how was it used by Vikings?

The sax, also known as a seax or scramasax, was a versatile single-edged knife used by Vikings. It served multiple purposes including combat, everyday chores, and work such as woodcutting and fieldwork. Vikings often wore the sax on their belts, and it was a common tool for close combat due to its practicality and effectiveness. Saxes varied in size, with shorter versions being useful in tight battle situations and longer versions resembling short swords. They were often made of iron and sometimes decorated with runes and intricate designs.

How did the sax evolve over time?

The saxophone was invented by Antoine-Joseph (Adolphe) Sax in 1841. Sax obtained a patent for his saxophones in 1846, which included 14 variations. After his death in 1894, the saxophone underwent several changes and improvements. Notable milestones include the extension of the instrument's range and the introduction of new key mechanisms. In the late 1920s, Sax's factory was acquired by the Henri Selmer Company, which further advanced saxophone technology. By the mid-20th century, the saxophone had become a staple in jazz and popular music, solidifying its place in musical history.

What were the different types of saxes?

There are 14 different types of saxophones, though only 4 are commonly used today. These are: soprano saxophone (highest pitched), alto saxophone (most common for beginners), tenor saxophone (often used in jazz), and baritone saxophone (lowest pitch). Other types include sopranino, bass, and contrabass saxophones, but these are less frequently used.

How was the sax produced in historical times?

The sax was often made of fire-welded iron or steel. Multiple layers were joined together under forging heat, with the cutting edge typically crafted from harder material than the body. There is also historical evidence of high-quality steel saxes made with a sophisticated composition of core and sheath steel. Techniques like adding blood grooves or fullers reduced the blade's weight and improved handling.

What materials were used for sax handles and sheaths?

Sax handles were often crafted from ivory, horn, or wood. Sheaths were typically made from leather, sometimes reinforced with metal fittings for added durability. The remnants found in some examples indicate that leather sheaths were sometimes decorated or reinforced with metal elements.

How effective was the sax in close combat?

The sax, a hybrid between a short sword and a knife, was highly effective in close combat. Its single-edged blade was designed for powerful cuts and slashes, making it ideal for close-range engagements. The short sax, with a blade length of 20-25 centimeters, was particularly deadly in the tight confines of shield walls, allowing Vikings and Germanic warriors to strike through gaps effectively. The design and practicality of the sax made it a versatile weapon, feared on the battlefield for its efficiency in hand-to-hand combat.

Were saxes used for purposes other than combat?

Yes, saxes were used for purposes other than combat. While primarily a feared weapon in close combat, the sax also served practical purposes in everyday life. Due to their versatile design, saxes were common tools for woodwork, fieldwork, and various crafts among Germanic tribes and Vikings. This utilitarian nature made them an essential part of daily activities, reflecting their practicality and affordability.

How did the longsax differ from other types of saxes?

The longsax, also known as the bass saxophone, is the largest and lowest-pitched saxophone. It is tuned to the key of B♭, an octave lower than the tenor saxophone and a perfect fourth below the baritone saxophone. Due to its size and deep sound, it is frequently used in big bands, jazz combos, and saxophone choirs.

What is the Sax of Beagnoth and why is it significant?

The Seax of Beagnoth, also known as the Thames scramasax, is a 10th-century Anglo-Saxon single-edged knife. Discovered in the River Thames in 1857, it is housed at the British Museum in London. Its significance stems from its elaborate decoration with inlaid copper, bronze, and silver wire, showcasing Anglo-Saxon craftsmanship. Additionally, it features the only known complete inscription of the twenty-eight-letter Anglo-Saxon runic alphabet and the name 'Beagnoth' in runes, possibly indicating the owner or the smith. This seax is one of only a few Anglo-Saxon weapons with such runic inscriptions, making it a rare and valuable artifact.

How were saxes typically worn by Vikings?

Viking saxes, also known as seaxes, were typically worn on the belt with the edge pointing upwards. This allowed for easy access and quick deployment, making them practical for both battle and everyday tasks. These versatile weapons were crucial in close combat, hunting, and daily activities, reflecting their significance in Norse culture.

The Germanic peoples and Vikings were feared warriors. Not only did their wild battle cry precede them, but also the clanging of their weapons of war. In close combat, the men from the North relied on a feared short sword, the sax. From the Iron Age to the High Middle Ages, this slashing weapon cut through ranks – and even today, the sax cuts a striking figure, whether on an authentic tunic or at least on the wall.

If you want to buy a sax, you should keep in mind that there are different types of saxes. Here you'll learn how they differ and what they were used for.

The Sax in History – Deadly in Combat, Practical in Everyday Life

The sax is (depending on its length and era) a hybrid between a short sword and a knife. For the Vikings, the sax was a single-edged slashing weapon for cuts and blows from close range. This was also the norm for swords from the Iron Age, such as the Roman gladius.

The word itself is derived from the Old High German word "Sahs," which simply means knife. The first saxes appeared in Scandinavia from the 4th century BC. It wasn't until the 9th century AD that saxes were slowly replaced by other weapons. At least as weapons, because especially in Scandinavia and the British Isles, these versatile knives were still widely used.

The sax (or skramasax) was not only a feared weapon across epochs but also spread geographically from Scandinavia to the British Isles and the European mainland. Unlike the longswords that became common later, saxes were affordable weapons. Therefore, they were used not only in combat but also for woodwork, fieldwork, and daily crafts.

Short Sax – The Ace in the Shield Wall

The handling of saxes differed depending on their length. A short sax with a blade length of 20-25 centimeters was practical for work and deadly in close combat. Once two troops were engaged in close combat, the range of motion for each fighter shrank enormously. A short sax could still inflict extreme damage on the enemy even here, and the Vikings could easily cut through the gaps in the shield wall.

The Long Sax – Close to the Classical Sword

The long sax only developed from the end of the 7th century. With a blade length of up to 50 centimeters, it was much closer to the classical sword than the short sax. In fact, some long handles indicate that long saxes were even used as the main weapon in the Westphalian and Lower Saxon regions.

A special find from the 9th century is the Sax of Beagnoth, which was found in the Thames. It is richly decorated with runes: on one side with the runic alphabet and on the other with the word Beagnoth – possibly the bearer or smith of the sword.

The Viking sax was usually worn on the belt with the edge facing upwards.

Narrow and Broad Sax

The division into narrow sax and broad sax is also common. Broad saxes, in particular, were richly decorated and often bore runes, animal depictions, faces, or – inspired by the Romans – phallic representations. The latter was especially popular in Gaul.

In all these cases, however, saxes were weapons that no enemy wished to find themselves at the sharp end of.

Manufacturing of the Sax

In production, the sax of old was often not made of steel, but of fire-welded iron. Several layers were joined together under forging heat, with the edge often made of harder material than the body. However, there is also historical evidence of steel saxes which – according to modern metallurgical studies – were crafted to a high standard and consisted of an elegant composition of core and shell steel.

Additional blood grooves and fullers reduced the weight of the blade and made it easier to handle.

An Authentic Piece from the North – Buying a Suitable Viking Sax

If you want to buy a real sax today, you should pay attention not only to the blade but also give special consideration to the handle and sheath.

You can either buy the sax traditionally with an authentic wooden sheath or with a leather sheath, as the sax was later worn by the Vikings. And if you place particular importance on authenticity when wearing it, you should not only wear the knife parallel to the belt but also with the edge facing upwards.

Even for the handle, we offer you a historical choice between the materials used centuries ago: wood, horn, or bone. And while the sax between the Iron Age and the Middle Ages was usually quite simply made, some finds nevertheless prove that especially the handles of the Vikings were richly decorated and embossed.

For the blade, you naturally have the advantage of modern metallurgy today, as the current replicas offer you a blade made of decorative steel. You can even find blunt models with rounded tips for reenactment in our selection.

From a simple, riveted wooden handle to rich decorations, you can buy the sax that suits your warrior soul.