Beagnoth seax with runes, semi-sharp

Product description

The Seax of Beagnoth with runes (also known as the Thames scramasax, as it was found in the Thames) is a 10th-century Anglo-Saxon seax. Today, it forms part of the British Museum collection in London. This replica from Windlass Steelcrafts is based upon the original. Several seaxes of a similar type are known from southern England (three from London, one from Suffolk, one from the River Thames near Keen Edge Ferry in Berkshire), and one from Hurbuck in County Durham in northern England. The seax from Berkshire is so similar in construction and design to the Seax of Beagnoth that both may have originated from the same workshop.

The blade of the seax is fully engraved on one side with runes — the letters of the runic alphabet. The Vikings believed that runes held magical powers and engraved them on their swords, knives, and axes to lend extra strength in battle. The grip is beautifully wrapped in brown leather. The seax is supplied with a scabbard so that it may be worn on a belt. The semi-sharp tempered blade is forged from 1065 carbon steel and has a hardness of 48–52 HRC. This is a handsome seax to display on a sword stand at home, and it is also particularly well-suited to Viking reenactment and Viking cosplay. Whilst blunted, it makes an excellent battle-ready sword for combat during Viking reenactment battles and a fine training sword for Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA).

Runes were letters, each possessing its own magical power. They were believed to bestow upon the bearer strength and protection, which is why they were engraved on objects. Runes could also be utilised for divination by practitioners such as the volva.