Walnutcrest Shortseax™ Short Seax – Carbon Steel & Walnut Handle

The Walnutcrest Shortseax™ Short Seax combines a compact 7.8-inch 1040 carbon steel blade with a natural walnut handle and hand-sewn leather scabbard. Its straight-back profile and approximately 12.2-inch overall length make it noticeably more compact than the extended proportions of a long seax.

Inspired by historical single-edged blade traditions of Northern Europe, the Walnutcrest Shortseax™ emphasizes straightforward materials and a clean, compact profile.

Details

The Walnutcrest Shortseax™ features a 7.8-inch single-edged blade made from 1040 carbon steel and specified at approximately 58–60 HRC.

Its straight-back profile creates a comparatively continuous spine toward the point, while the natural walnut handle adds visible grain and warm tonal variation.

The shorter proportions distinguish this design from a long seax, making the difference between compact and extended seax forms immediately visible.

For another compact interpretation with additional brass fittings, explore the Kingwood Forgecrest™ Hand Forged Seax.

Blade

The blade length is approximately 7.8 inches, with a width of approximately 1.4 inches.

The single-edged blade is made from 1040 carbon steel and has a specified hardness of approximately 58–60 HRC. It comes with a sharpened edge.

Its straight-back configuration gives the blade a distinctly different silhouette from angular broken-back designs.

Walnut Handle

Natural walnut gives the handle visible grain and individual character.

Because walnut is a natural material, color, grain pattern, and markings can vary slightly between individual pieces. These variations are expected and make each handle visually distinctive.

The uncomplicated wood handle also complements the compact proportions of the Short Seax without excessive decorative elements.

Short Seax vs Long Seax

The clearest difference between these two categories is proportion.

A Short Seax uses a more compact blade and overall configuration, while a long seax extends the blade considerably and creates a much larger overall profile.

The Walnutcrest Shortseax™ has a 7.8-inch blade and approximately 12.2-inch overall length.

For comparison, the Ravenback Longcrest™ Long Seax uses an 18.3-inch blade and measures approximately 23 inches overall.

Historical Inspiration

Seaxes appeared in various forms among Germanic peoples across Northern Europe, including examples associated with the Migration Period and later historical periods.

Surviving examples demonstrate considerable variation in size, blade geometry, and construction. There was no single universal seax design.

For that reason, the Walnutcrest Shortseax™ is described as historically inspired rather than presented as a historically accurate reproduction of one specific archaeological find.

Leather Scabbard

A hand-sewn leather scabbard is included with the Walnutcrest Shortseax™.

Always make sure the carbon steel blade is clean and completely dry before placing it inside leather. Because leather can retain moisture, avoid storing a wet or damp blade inside the scabbard.

For extended storage, inspect the blade periodically and apply a thin protective coating of suitable knife-safe oil when necessary.

Care & Use

1040 carbon steel requires regular maintenance to help protect its surface 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 store the blade wet inside its leather scabbard.

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

Specifications

Product Name: Walnutcrest Shortseax™
Style: Short Seax
Overall Length: Approx. 12.2 in
Blade Length: Approx. 7.8 in
Blade Width: Approx. 1.4 in
Blade Steel: 1040 Carbon Steel
Hardness: Approx. 58–60 HRC
Blade Profile: Straight Back
Edge: Sharpened
Handle Material: Walnut Wood
Scabbard: Hand-Sewn Leather Scabbard
Design: Historically Inspired Seax

Frequently Asked Questions

What did a Saxon seax look like?

Historical seaxes existed in numerous forms rather than one standardized design. Examples varied in blade length, width, profile, and handle construction, including both relatively compact and much longer forms.

What is a Germanic seax?

A Germanic seax refers broadly to the family of single-edged blades associated with Germanic peoples across different regions and historical periods. Their appearance and dimensions varied considerably.

What does the word “seax” mean?

Seax is an Old English term associated with a type or family of single-edged blades. Modern collectors and makers use the term for historically inspired designs based on these traditional forms.

What is a Norse seax?

Norse seax is a modern descriptive term commonly used for seax designs associated with or inspired by Northern European and Viking Age examples. Historical seaxes varied considerably rather than following one universal pattern.

Does this Short Seax include a leather scabbard?

Yes. The Walnutcrest Shortseax™ includes a hand-sewn leather scabbard. Keep the carbon steel blade clean and completely dry before placing it inside.