Markland Merchants – Danelaw Seax
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$75.00
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- 30-day returns
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Blade
- EN45 Spring Steel
- Overall Length
- 12 5/8"
- Weight
- 7.5 oz
- Brand
- Markland Merchants
- Culture
- Viking
- Era
- Dark Ages
Overview
Markland Merchants - Danelaw Seax
Designed by Markland Merchants to be a historically accurate seax for the serious Viking reenactor, the Danelaw Seax has a blade of tempered EN45 spring steel which is tempered to a 56-58 HRc hardness. The grip is Poplar wood which has been intentionally left unfinished so that the reenactor can oil, stain, carve or modify the grip as desired. The Poplar wood is ideal for detailed carving which makes this dagger an ideal project dagger for you to customize to your own liking. The blade tang is durably secured into the hilt and the length of the tang within the grip is slightly longer than half the length of the wood grip.
This robust bladed seax is the so-called broken-back style seax. These seaxes have a sharp angled transition between the back section of the blade and the point. This shape makes the spine appear to be broken like a beast with a broken back which is where this evocative blade style gets its name. Knives or Seaxes such as these were common in Viking age Britain and Ireland, although some examples have been found in archaeological digs in Germany and have been dated around 8th-11th century. Knives like these were used every day just as the smaller knives were, however, they were substantial enough to have proven useful if your main weapon was lost during combat or during an unexpected mead hall brawl as well.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- Markland Merchants
- Culture
- Viking
- Era
- Dark Ages
- Pommel
- Integrated
- Overall Length
- 12 5/8"
- Blade Length
- 7 1/16"
- Blade
- EN45 Spring Steel
- Weight
- 7.5 oz
- Edge
- Unsharpened
- P.O.B.
- 1 1/2"
- Thickness
- 4 mm - 3.6 mm
- Width
- 27.5 mm - 37.8 mm
- Grip Length
- 5 9/16"
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Country of Origin
- India
Reviews
What collectors are saying
Q&A
Questions from the community
Q What steel is the blade made from? Common Question
Tempered EN45 spring steel, hardened to about 56β58 HRC.
Q Is the edge sharpened from the factory? Common Question
No. It is supplied unsharpened.
Q What style of seax is this? Common Question
A broken-back style Danelaw seax inspired by Viking-age examples.
Q What are the handle materials and finish? Common Question
Poplar wood grip, intentionally left unfinished for user oiling, staining, carving, or other customization.
Q How is the tang constructed? Common Question
The blade tang is securely set into the wood grip; the tang length within the handle is slightly longer than half the grip length.
Q Where is it manufactured? Common Question
India.
Q What are the dimensions and weight? Common Question
Overall length 12 5/8 in; blade length 7 1/16 in; grip 5 9/16 in; weight 7.5 oz; blade thickness 4β3.6 mm; width 27.5β37.8 mm; point of balance about 1 1/2 in from the guard.
Q Is it suitable for reenactment or cutting? Common Question
Classed as battle ready with a durable build; supplied unsharpened for safer reenactment use or for the buyer to finish to their needs.
Q Any care recommendations? Common Question
Keep the high-carbon steel lightly oiled to prevent rust; finish the poplar grip with oil, wax, or stain as desired and keep dry after use.
Q What cultural context does it reflect? Common Question
Based on Viking-age seaxes common in Britain and Ireland, with forms dated roughly to the 8thβ11th centuries.
Video
See it in motion
The Danelaw Seax
The Maker
Markland Merchants
Markland Merchants was founded by a diverse group of Viking Age living historians who’s mission it is to bring museum grade yet affordable Viking Age historical replicas to market.
Often paired together

This was a very well-done knife. It had a nice edge and the fit and finish were outstanding. It was exactly what I had been looking for – an authentic look and feel in a working knife that was not tiny and not overly large – a good cross between an everyday utility blade and something useful in a struggle as well. Highly recommend.
Overall, I am fairly please with this knife. It came on time and well packaged. The reason for marking it down a star is the following:
1. There was something on the untreated handle that stained the wood. I have tried sanding it and the stain is still there. I will have to dye the handle now in order to hide the stain.
2. Black tar substance on the join where the blade was inserted into the handle. I know this is how Kukris and other tools are made in India, but typically they clean this area up before sending on to the customer. This company failed to do so.
Would I purchase this again? Yes. It might take a bit more elbow grease to get it into the shape and condition I desire, but I feel the purchase I made has been a good one!