Viking Seax Knives Explained: History, Craftsmanship & Our Top Picks
Viking Seax Knives: The Ultimate Guide to Norse-Inspired Long Blades (Norsefang Longseax™ vs. Birka Raven™)
Long before swords became a symbol of Viking Age warriors, the seax was the blade every Norseman carried. Part tool, part weapon, part status symbol — the seax was as essential to Viking daily life as an axe or a spear. Today, that same design lives on in two handcrafted pieces from Arham Cutlery: the Norsefang Longseax™ and the Birka Raven™ Viking Seax Knife.
If you're building a Viking or Norse collection, love historical reproductions, or just want a striking Damascus blade with real character, this guide breaks down what makes each knife special — and which one might belong on your wall or your belt.
What Is a Viking Seax?
The seax (also spelled sax or scramasax) was a single-edged Viking Age knife, ranging from small utility blades to long, sword-like "long seaxes" carried by warriors and free men alike. Its shape — a straight spine, a sharply angled tip, and a single cutting edge — made it instantly recognizable, and it remains one of the most iconic weapons of the Norse world.
Both knives in this guide draw on that heritage, but each interprets it a little differently.
Norsefang Longseax™ – Damascus Steel & Wood Bone Handle
The Norsefang Longseax™ is the larger, more dramatic of the two — a true "long seax" inspired by a historical Baltic design from the Viking Age.
- Overall length: ~21.3 inches
- Blade length: ~15 inches
- Blade steel: 256-layer Damascus (4340 & 1070 steel)
- Handle: Wood and animal bone with brass or steel fittings
- Sheath: Vegetable-tanned leather with a three-ring split-strap suspension system
- Extras: Leather lanyard included, lanyard eyelet on the handle
The sheer length of the blade gives this piece serious visual presence — it's less an everyday carry knife and more a centerpiece for a Viking or medieval collection, a display piece, or historical reenactment kit. The oval wood-and-bone handle is built for a confident grip, while the 256 layers of folded Damascus steel create a blade pattern that looks different every time the light hits it.
Birka Raven™ – Damascus Steel, Wood & Bone Handle with Brass Fittings
The Birka Raven™ takes its inspiration directly from archaeology: its design is based on a Baltic war knife recovered from an 11th-century burial mound in Priekuli-Gugeri, Latvia, with belt-loop details echoing animal-head motifs found at Birka, Sweden — one of the most important Viking Age trading sites ever excavated.
- Overall length: ~19.7 inches
- Blade length: ~12.6 inches
- Blade steel: 256-layer Damascus steel, pre-sharpened
- Handle: Wood and animal bone with brass fittings and a brass butt cap
- Sheath: Vegetable-tanned leather with brass fittings and horizontal, Viking-style belt carry
- Extras: Leather lanyard included
Where the Norsefang leans into scale, the Birka Raven leans into historical detail and horizontal carry — the way many Viking seaxes were actually worn, laid flat across the belt rather than hanging vertically. The brass accents throughout the handle and sheath give it a slightly warmer, more ornamental finish.
Norsefang Longseax™ vs. Birka Raven™: Quick Comparison
| Norsefang Longseax™ | Birka Raven™ | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length | ~21.3 in | ~19.7 in |
| Blade length | ~15 in | ~12.6 in |
| Handle fittings | Brass or steel | Brass |
| Carry style | Vertical, split-strap | Horizontal, Viking-style |
| Historical basis | Baltic long seax | Priekuli-Gugeri & Birka finds |
| Best for | Maximum display presence | Historical accuracy & belt wear |
Both knives share the same 256-layer Damascus construction, wood-and-bone handle philosophy, and hand-finished leather sheath — so the choice really comes down to size preference and how you plan to display or carry it.
Caring for Your Damascus Seax
Damascus steel is not stainless, so a little routine care keeps these blades looking sharp for years:
- Wipe the blade clean and dry after handling or display
- Apply a light coat of blade oil periodically
- Never store the blade wet inside its leather sheath
- Keep it away from prolonged moisture exposure
Bring Home a Piece of Viking History
Whether you're drawn to the imposing scale of the Norsefang Longseax™ or the archaeologically-inspired detail of the Birka Raven™, both knives are handmade, come with a 30-day return window, and ship free from the USA worldwide.
👉 Shop the Norsefang Longseax™ Viking Seax Knife
👉 Shop the Birka Raven™ Viking Seax Knife
Explore more pieces in our Viking & Norse Collection for swords, axes, spears, and hatchets built with the same handcrafted attention to detail.