Olivecrest Straightback™ Straight Back Seax – Carbon Steel & Olive Wood

The Olivecrest Straightback™ Straight Back Seax pairs an 11-inch 1040 carbon steel blade with a natural olive wood handle, brass accents, and a hand-sewn leather scabbard. Its straight-back blade profile gives the design a clean, continuous silhouette that clearly distinguishes it from more angular broken-back styles.

With an overall length of approximately 16 inches, the Olivecrest Straightback™ offers substantial proportions without reaching the extended dimensions of a long seax.

Details

The Olivecrest Straightback™ is built around an 11-inch single-edged blade made from 1040 carbon steel and specified at approximately 58–60 HRC.

Its defining feature is the straight-back profile. The spine follows a comparatively continuous line rather than using the pronounced angular transition associated with a broken back seax.

The natural olive wooden handle is complemented by brass accents and a brass cap, giving the design a warm traditional appearance.

For a compact alternative with a shorter blade and walnut handle, explore the Walnutcrest Shortseax™ Short Seax.

Blade

The carbon steel blade measures approximately 11 inches long and 1.25 inches wide.

Its straight-back configuration creates a noticeably different profile from angular broken-back designs. The sharpened straight edge follows the lower portion of the blade while the spine maintains the characteristic straight-back appearance.

The blade is made from 1040 carbon steel with a specified hardness of approximately 58–60 HRC.

Olive Wood Handle

Natural olive wood gives the handle distinctive grain patterns and warm tonal variation.

Because olive wood is a natural material, differences in grain, color, and markings are expected between individual pieces. These variations are part of the character of the material rather than manufacturing defects.

Brass accents and a brass end cap complement the olive wood and provide visual contrast with the carbon steel blade.

Straight Back Seax vs Broken Back Seax

One of the easiest ways to distinguish common seax-inspired blade styles is by examining the spine.

A Straight Back Seax maintains a more continuous spine profile, while a broken-back design features a noticeable angular transition toward the point.

For an example of the contrasting profile, see the Ravenback Longcrest™ Long Seax, which uses an extended broken-back carbon steel blade.

These differences in blade geometry are also useful when comparing the varied historical forms associated with seaxes.

Historical Inspiration

Seaxes are historically seen with Germanic peoples across different regions and periods of Northern European history.

Historical examples varied significantly in dimensions, blade geometry, and construction. For this reason, the Olivecrest Straightback™ is described as a historically inspired seax rather than claiming to be an exact reproduction of a particular archaeological artifact.

Leather Scabbard

A hand-sewn leather scabbard is included with the Olivecrest Straightback™.

The carbon steel blade should be clean and completely dry before being placed inside the leather. Because leather can retain moisture, avoid leaving a damp blade inside the scabbard.

During extended storage, periodically inspect the blade and renew its thin protective coating of suitable knife-safe oil when necessary.

Care & Use

1040 carbon steel requires routine maintenance to help protect it from oxidation.

After handling or use, clean the blade when necessary and dry it completely. Remove fingerprints and moisture before applying a thin coating of suitable knife-safe oil. Avoid prolonged exposure to damp conditions and never place a wet blade inside the leather scabbard.

The olive wood handle should also be kept away from prolonged soaking, excessive heat, and harsh household cleaning chemicals.

Specifications

Product Name: Olivecrest Straightback™
Style: Straight Back Seax
Overall Length: Approx. 16 in
Blade Length: Approx. 11 in
Blade Width: Approx. 1.25 in
Blade Steel: 1040 Carbon Steel
Hardness: Approx. 58–60 HRC
Blade Profile: Straight Back
Edge: Sharpened
Handle Material: Olive Wood
Fittings: Brass Accents
End Cap: Brass
Scabbard: Hand-Sewn Leather Scabbard
Design: Historically Inspired Seax

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the word “seax” mean?

Seax is an Old English term associated with a family of single-edged blades historically found among Germanic peoples. Historical seaxes appeared in numerous sizes and blade profiles rather than one standardized design.

What is a Germanic seax?

A Germanic seax generally refers to the different forms of single-edged blades associated with Germanic cultures across parts of Northern Europe. Their dimensions, construction, and blade shapes varied according to period and region.

What is the difference between a straight-back and broken-back seax?

A straight-back design has a comparatively continuous spine running toward the point. A broken-back profile features a more obvious angular change in the forward section of the spine, creating a distinctly different silhouette.

Is the olive wood handle identical on every knife?

No. Olive wood naturally varies in grain, color, and pattern. Individual Olivecrest Straightback™ handles can therefore show slight visual differences.

Does the carbon steel blade require maintenance?

Yes. Keep the blade clean and completely dry and apply a thin coating of suitable knife-safe oil when necessary. This is particularly important before extended storage.