Viking Age Sax Size Range

Lee · 19th May 2016, 03:11 PM

Roland & Norman, thank you both; I am sure that the Hurstwic group will find most of their answers within the information provided and I have found it most interesting as well. Apparently this has been well-discussed on several forums:
Bladesmith's Forum 1
Bladesmith's Forum 2
My Armoury
Sword Forum International

Pukka Bundook · 29th May 2016, 03:51 PM

Lee,

I am sure everyone knows this, but the term Sax could originally be used for anything that cuts, even Scissors!

But I don't think Grettor did his damage with such!
I have read in I believe Hilda E Davidson's book, that Sax was often the term used for a single -edged sword as well.

I cannot think in Grettor's case, that he would have lasted as long as he did if his main armament was the sax-knife as we have come to understand the term, so believe his weapon either similar to those long bladed examples mentioned and in charts above by Roland or Norman, Or simply a normal single -edged sword.

I look forward to hearing more of this project!!!

Best,
Richard.

Edited to say that my comments are made redundant by the depictions of the Sax, in Bladesmith 2, Illustrations 7 & 8.
This style is exactly what I was thinking about.

Should have looked at the links before I posted!!

Lee · 6th June 2016, 12:50 PM

Pukka,

Many thanks for this insight. I share in your suspicions.

19th May 2016, 03:11 PM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 940	and that leads to some links... Roland & Norman, thank you both; I am sure that the Hurstwic group will find most of their answers within the information provided and I have found it most interesting as well. Apparently this has been well-discussed on several forums: Bladesmith's Forum 1 Bladesmith's Forum 2 My Armoury Sword Forum International

29th May 2016, 03:51 PM	#2
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Lee, I am sure everyone knows this, but the term Sax could originally be used for anything that cuts, even Scissors! But I don't think Grettor did his damage with such! I have read in I believe Hilda E Davidson's book, that Sax was often the term used for a single -edged sword as well. I cannot think in Grettor's case, that he would have lasted as long as he did if his main armament was the sax-knife as we have come to understand the term, so believe his weapon either similar to those long bladed examples mentioned and in charts above by Roland or Norman, Or simply a normal single -edged sword. I look forward to hearing more of this project!!! Best, Richard. Edited to say that my comments are made redundant by the depictions of the Sax, in Bladesmith 2, Illustrations 7 & 8. This style is exactly what I was thinking about. Should have looked at the links before I posted!!

6th June 2016, 12:50 PM	#3
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 940	Pukka, Many thanks for this insight. I share in your suspicions.