Broken-Back Viking Seax Knife – Raven Pommel & Twin Sheaths
A hand-forged Viking seax knife with a 6.3-inch broken-back carbon steel blade, a leather-wrapped grip and a cast raven's-head pommel. It measures 10.4 inches overall, ships with two raven-embossed genuine leather sheaths, and is sold as a hunting and collector's knife, not a kitchen knife.
What "broken-back" actually means
Most seaxes taper the way you would expect a knife to. This one does not. The back stays flat and level for most of its length and then turns down in one decisive angle, so the point sits low and the spine has a visible corner in it. Archaeologists call the type the broken-back seax, and it is one of the most recognisable forms to come out of ninth- and tenth-century England — the Seax of Beagnoth in the British Museum, the one carrying the whole Anglo-Saxon runic futhorc down its blade, is cut to exactly this shape. It is not a stylistic flourish someone added later. It is the shape.
Two sheaths, two ways to wear it
This is the part that sets it apart from the rest of the rack. It ships with two separate sheaths rather than one. The first has a riveted belt loop and a snap collar, so the knife rides on the hip and stays put when you move. The second is a plain slip — no loop, nothing to catch — for a pack, a drawer or a display shelf. Between them you can carry the thing properly and still store it without the belt hardware getting in the way.
The raven pressed into the leather
Both sheaths carry the same stamp: a raven with its wings up, standing over an interlaced triangular knot. It is pressed into the grain rather than printed on top of it, so it darkens as the leather does and will still be there when the finish has gone soft and uneven with handling. The same bird sits cast at the end of the grip, beak hooked back over the heel of the hand.
Who it's for
Reenactors and collectors who care that the outline is right rather than merely Norse-flavoured, and anyone who has wanted a blade with a genuinely period profile instead of a fantasy one. Every knife is worked by hand, so hammer texture, forge colour and small differences from piece to piece come with it.
New to the form? Start with our guide to what a seax actually is. Or see the rest of the Viking seax collection, including the curved Odin's Raven seax and the compact Boar's Head seax.
This is a hunting and collector's knife. It is not intended for kitchen or cooking use — handle, store and carry it responsibly and in line with your local laws.
Every part earns its place
Where the numbers land: 6.3 inches of single edge on a 10.4-inch knife, the spine running level out of the leather-wrapped grip before it breaks down to the point.
Carbon steel is alive — treat it so
High-carbon steel holds a keener edge than stainless, but it will spot with rust if left wet. Two minutes of care keeps this blade in the family for generations.
This is a working tool. It arrives sharp and can be re-sharpened like any carbon blade. Choose the Display edge if you want it purely for the wall — same steel, left unsharpened for safe handling.
Sold to adults 18+. A signature and ID may be required on delivery. Bladed goods can't ship to some regions — the cart flags restricted addresses at checkout.
Questions about this blade
Straight answers — the same ones we give over email.
What is a broken-back seax?
A seax whose spine runs straight and then angles sharply down to the point, leaving a visible corner in the back of the blade. The type is strongly associated with ninth- and tenth-century England; the Seax of Beagnoth in the British Museum is the best-known surviving example.
Why does it come with two sheaths?
So you can carry it and store it without compromise. One sheath has a riveted belt loop and a snap collar for wearing on the hip; the other is a plain slip with no hardware, for a pack, a drawer or a display. Both are genuine leather and both are included.
How big is the Broken-Back seax knife?
The blade is 6.3 inches (160 mm) and the knife measures 10.4 inches (264 mm) overall.
What is stamped on the sheaths?
A raven with raised wings standing over an interlaced triangular knot, embossed into the leather on both sheaths. The same raven appears cast at the end of the grip as the pommel.
Is the blade stainless?
No. It is hand-forged carbon steel, which takes a keener edge and is easier to re-sharpen than stainless, but will spot if left wet. Wipe it dry after use, keep a light film of oil on it, and store it out of the sheath long term so moisture is not held against the steel. A darker patina over time is normal.