Posts: 1,717 Location: Buffalo, NY.
Mon 03 Mar, 2008 9:44 am
Hello Everyone,
So about two weeks ago I received a very special delivery from England via Royal Mail Service (how appropriate for such an item as this fine Anglo-Saxon broken back
seax!)
The packaing was secure and entirely protective of its' precious contents.
First the Sheath: The pics above show, better than I could, much of the detail on this very handsome sheath. What comes across in person. and is perhaps missing from mere photographs. is the 3 dimensional facet of this beautiful design. I was and am impressed in that different components of the sheaths’ decoration have been applied using different tools and techniques. This kind of attention to detail results in an overall piece that gives an authentic and historical impression. Some of the parts of the decoration (like the series of vertical lines extending along some the length) have deeply carved and sharply defined edges, while other elements like the zoomorphic figures in the design have a softer and more rounded edging. I am very pleased with the extra attention that I requested from Tod, and which I received regarding the decoration of this sheath. The brass lining at the top of the sheath has a nice amount of detail which plays well with the sheath decoration and the piece overall.
The brass rings used for suspending the scabbard are substantial and well done although they do not move completely freely back and forth due to friction with the connecting knot designs that hod them. I hope that with time and usage some of the metal will be worn away on the connective knots so that the rings will swing freely The color of the leather is a brownish red which Tod calls chestnut. This works quite well as a complement to the spalted box wood and the copper inlay in the grip and the blade. The leather is extremely thick and sturdy. Fortunately Tod has taken the step in burning the top end of the sheath to eliminate that unsightly fuzzy stuff often seen on unfinished leather edges. The fit of the blade is secure and perhaps a bit tighter than a typical sword scabbard. I imagine this is due in that seaxes like this were carried horizontally and not diagonally down or vertically as swords are hung.
Second the Grip: The spalted box wood used in this grip is especially striking. The fungus that had begun to turn the tree has created irregular blackish stains running through the wood that really set this grip apart from just plain box wood. I was surprised and pleased to note the inlayed copper pins in the grip which look really cool and complement the copper inlay in the blade. Tod used linseed oil to seal the grip in a subtle very low gloss finish. The grip to this knife is both beautiful and very individual.
And the blade: The blade is really something. The grain in the wrought iron is very interesting to look at, and the transition to the more shiny steel edge is well defined and attractive. The inlay on the blade and the spine is well done and, for me, is the heart and real attraction to this particular piece. The effect in sunlight of the bright blade and the copper and silver inlay, along with the bright steel edge, is truly impressive and gives this piece such a special air about it. The cross section of the blade is a very strong triangle. The tip is almost needle like but due to it's shape should have enough beef to give a sound structure.
Fit and Finish: This seax combines an intricate and expansive design and execution with a handmade and historical feel. Many surfaces on the piece are not %100 flat and even and all lines are not %100 straight and exact but that is not the kind of knife I was going for.a I am so happy to have this new toy.
Handling: This is a very handy weapon with a bit of a point forward feel that must come from the gradually widening blade. It invites hard and fast strikes that rely on the weight of the heaviest section of the blade in a hewing fashion. This seax feels great using the handshake grip and less so- using the hammer grip. Admittedly, I am more of a collector than a practitioner so I cannot really speak in more detail about the finer points of how the knife feels in various uses because, frankly, I do not know entirely know how the seax was used. For instance, I do not know if a seax such as this would have been ever reversed in the hand and used in a stabbing motion.
I would recommend that anyone wanting a truly authentic seax using authentic materials and methods to contact Tod. He was prompt and patient with my questions and comments throughout the six-month process on planning to delivery. I will certainly be contacting Tod in the future to provide me with more very special progects.
It is my hope that the US economy can pick up to address the current poor exchange rate between the US Dollar and the British Pound thus making tods’ prices even more attractive!
Thanks for those who took the time to read my post !
Any comments of this review or thoughts/questions about my new seax are more than welcome.
Jeremy