Viking Sword - Medieval Shoppe
Finally decided to purchase a Viking era sword replica to complete my Anglo Saxon/Viking reenactment kit. It was the last major purchase that needed to be made to round out the ensemble.
Purchased from the Medieval Shoppe based in Australia after I saw they were offering an 18% discount in recognition of 18000 followers on social media. Factoring in the favorable exchange rate between the Aussie and Canadian dollars, the overall price of the sword at $208 plus the discount it was to good to pass up.
Arrived very well packaged and quickly with the blade and sheath being well wrapped and oiled. Initial impressions were favorable for a functional replica of a Viking age sword from that period of history. It possesses a type four blade design and a variation of a type S hilt design so it is historical but not a pure example of a type four blade as it is a little shorter and narrower than earlier blades of the period. Blade is sharp and tapers somewhat towards the spatulate tip with hammering marks but I like seeing that it was a hand forged blade. It adds character. A fuller runs almost the entire length of the blade and is done quite well with only a slight wavering. Not sure if there is a distal taper as I do not possess calipers. Overall weight comes in at two pounds, eight ounces with an overall length of 36.5 inches.
Fit and finish is decent for a $200 sword. Fittings of brass are well done, polished and tight with no movement on the guard and clam shell pommel. Wood core grip covered in leather with three cord risers. Leather grip is comfortable in the hand. Point of balance is about 5.5 inches from the guard so it is within historical ranges. Feels a little forward heavy but that is expected from a blade that was primarily designed for slashing while using a center boss style of shield. Handle is long enough to use a handshake grip which is nice, especially for making casting cuts.
Scabbard is very well done considering the overall price point of the sword. Decent well stitched leather over a wood core. Brass accents that match the pommel and guard. The mouth of the scabbard does not provide a firm hold on the blade so you will need to be wary of the blade sliding out if held below the horizontal while sheathed.
In terms of aesthetics this is a simple replica with no fancy scroll work, intricate detailing or embellishments. The clam shell pommel is well made but cast from a single piece of brass. The guard is simple and plain. In that sense it is representative of a munitions grade, no nonsense sword meant to be used.
There is some excess leather that needs to be tidied up near the pommel that looks a little sloppy and the center slot on the guard is roughly machined and larger than necessary but considering the price this is a nice affordable piece.
Purchased from the Medieval Shoppe based in Australia after I saw they were offering an 18% discount in recognition of 18000 followers on social media. Factoring in the favorable exchange rate between the Aussie and Canadian dollars, the overall price of the sword at $208 plus the discount it was to good to pass up.
Arrived very well packaged and quickly with the blade and sheath being well wrapped and oiled. Initial impressions were favorable for a functional replica of a Viking age sword from that period of history. It possesses a type four blade design and a variation of a type S hilt design so it is historical but not a pure example of a type four blade as it is a little shorter and narrower than earlier blades of the period. Blade is sharp and tapers somewhat towards the spatulate tip with hammering marks but I like seeing that it was a hand forged blade. It adds character. A fuller runs almost the entire length of the blade and is done quite well with only a slight wavering. Not sure if there is a distal taper as I do not possess calipers. Overall weight comes in at two pounds, eight ounces with an overall length of 36.5 inches.
Fit and finish is decent for a $200 sword. Fittings of brass are well done, polished and tight with no movement on the guard and clam shell pommel. Wood core grip covered in leather with three cord risers. Leather grip is comfortable in the hand. Point of balance is about 5.5 inches from the guard so it is within historical ranges. Feels a little forward heavy but that is expected from a blade that was primarily designed for slashing while using a center boss style of shield. Handle is long enough to use a handshake grip which is nice, especially for making casting cuts.
Scabbard is very well done considering the overall price point of the sword. Decent well stitched leather over a wood core. Brass accents that match the pommel and guard. The mouth of the scabbard does not provide a firm hold on the blade so you will need to be wary of the blade sliding out if held below the horizontal while sheathed.
In terms of aesthetics this is a simple replica with no fancy scroll work, intricate detailing or embellishments. The clam shell pommel is well made but cast from a single piece of brass. The guard is simple and plain. In that sense it is representative of a munitions grade, no nonsense sword meant to be used.
There is some excess leather that needs to be tidied up near the pommel that looks a little sloppy and the center slot on the guard is roughly machined and larger than necessary but considering the price this is a nice affordable piece.
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