Dark Age and Viking Swords

Viking Swords have a reputation for being brutal, heavy, and unwieldy.

These swords and misconceptions about them are made popular by films like The Thirteenth Warrior, in which the main character (played by Antonio Bandaras) can barely lift one, let alone fight with it.

While in reality the Norse Sword is still a savage chopping weapon, it is much different from what popular culture would have us believe...

Most experts agree that Viking Swords as they are commonly recognized grew out of interactions between the Roman Empire and Germanic Cultures that made their way North.

The earliest finds of were single-edged, like the Scramasax, a short, single-edged blade common across Europe but especially with Viking and Germanic cultures (pictured below, though historically they were not generally found stuck through a plastic target).

However, after the 8th century the Spatha was introduced to Norway, and the development of doubled-edged swords began. In fact, some believe that it was out of these 'Viking' designs that the classic Medieval Sword grew. The definitive work on the development of Viking Swords was written in 1919 by Jan Petersen, entitled 'De Norske Vikingsverd'.

R. Wheelers 9 Types of Hilt Configurations for Viking Swords

In our price range there are a large number of available products. Virtually every budget sword maker has tried their hand at a Viking design, with varying degrees of success. However, from SBG's favorite forges come some highly attractive, well-priced and well-made pieces that would have made any Viking warrior welcome in the Halls of Valhalla.

Legacy Arms Viking Swords
(formerly known as Generation 2)

Perhaps the most historically accurate of all replica Viking swords under the $300 price point is the River Witham sword reviewed below.

In fact, their River Witham model consistently impresses sword owners who have access to much more expensive models. Consider this statement from one of our SBG sword forum members who owned one;

With high praise like that, it is no wonder that these Viking swords are so popular...

Kingdom of Arms Viking Swords

Also made in the Philippines, but by an older, neighboring sword forge (Blade Culture International) the Viking Swords made to the specifications of the original founder of Gen2/Legacy Arms, Mr. Clyde Hollis are generally regarded as the best of what this country with a long history of blademaking has to offer.

Unfortunately, their addition to the world of replica Viking Swords has not been quite as well received as some of their other swords, but still holds it own.

Windlass Steelcrafts Viking Swords

Windlass has produced several Viking swords over the years. Unfortunately, few of them remain around long enough to gain much popularity, as Windlass tends to rotate their production stock fairly frequently.

That being said, they have some classics that have stood the test of time, including one that I would have to rate as the best value for money in this entire category - and several others  - ranging from some very attractive pieces to those that end up in pieces (which have, thankfully been discontinued. The sword market often works its way out like this..)

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Quick Comparative Review

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Deepeeka Viking Swords

Most of the Viking swords made by Deepeeka of India are, frankly, junk. But every now and again they consistently produce a real gem. This is one such item..

Cold Steel Viking Swords

Cold steel tend to take a shotgun approach to their functional sword range - covering as many eras and cultures as possible with at least one sword marketed for its cutting power and durability.

Their offering to the world of Viking swords is no exception - but for this one, historical accuracy takes a back seat.

Hanwei Forge Viking Swords

Hanwei have almost bowed out of the Viking sword market, but they still have at least a couple of swords that has been doing the rounds..

Darksword Armory Viking Swords

Darksword Armory have actually had quite a decent range of super tough, beater Viking swords over the years. Not all of them have been reviewed here, but from what has you should get a pretty good idea of what to expect from their offerings.

Del Tin

Del Tin is an Italian sword making company with a long reputation for making quite historically accurate ancient and medieval European swords. Their range of Viking swords are no exception..

Balaur Arms Viking Swords

In terms of value for money, we have saved the best for last..

Kult of Athena's house brand Balaur Arms offers some affordable yet very historically accurate Viking swords. In our hands on review of a Viking Type H sword, we compare it to other similar Type H swords on the market.

Further Resources

One of the best online resources on Viking Blades is a translation project of Jan Petersen's work, available here at Viking Sword.com

The site includes diagrams, historical information, and photographs of actual recovered relics from Viking Times. The language can be a bit academic at times and the translation is no where near complete, but it is a good introduction to the genre. As always, the various sword forums are a good place to learn more about any type of sword.

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I hope this information on replica Viking Swords has been helpful. To return to the Sword Buyers Guides Homepage from Modern Replicas of Viking Swords, click here.