[Lafayette C Curtis]

I borrowed this sketch from a friend (with permission, of course) since I find the design intriguing even though it's not completely historical. The overall look is similar to some of the swords unearthed (and recorded) by Dr. Jorma Leppaaho but with a lengthened grip. So, what do you think?

[Peter Anderson]

It looks pretty nice. I suppose it would be a fairly neat sword for a later-century Scandinavian trying to keep in touch with his roots, perhaps copying or re-using the fittings from a family heirloom sword.

There are of course Type XIIs with Viking-style hilts: http://www.myArmoury.com/feature_spotxii.html

[Mark Moore]

I like that very much! As far as 'historically accurate' goes, that has been a subject of much heated debate on this and other sword forums in the past. So much so, in fact, that I find it almost laughable sometimes. This isn't the 8th or 9th century. It's 2013, and swords have evolved. (Sadly, some people have not.) This particular design shows me a fighting mans sword....built tough, strong, and with ergonomics in mind. The guard and pommel have the great 'in-out' effect that I like in a using sword. In other words, there is plenty of room for hand play on the grip. I've found that a great deal of 'Viking' swords on the market today suffer from very small grips, or pommels that aggitate the hand. This, to me, looks like a very comfortable sword to wield. If it were made into reality, I'd have a serious eye on it. Great design!.......McM

[David McElrea]

I seem to recall that there are grave slabs in Ireland that show longish swords with similar fittings-- primarily associated with Galloglas, I think.

[Greg Ballantyne]

Mark, don't judge the Viking sword grip to be small unless you know how to use it. I've been criticized for saying that the grip on a Viking sword should be sized to fit the hand of the wielder, even though my commentary was comparing 3 1/2" grip length to a 4 1/4" grip length. Since I am a fellow with large hands, I can say that a 4 1/4" grip length can be quite snug in a hammer grip, and can transition smoothly into a handshake grip (pommel in palm) in the right sized hand, or in my hand. These swords were strictly one handers, used with a shield in the other hand. Don't make the mistake of thinking that swords in the Viking era were used like swords in the middle ages. A longer grip with Viking style furniture may be a nice thing to think about or look at, but has no historical basis. Despite what some might say, historical basis is the only basis outside pure imagination. If you think about evolutionary forces, the evolutionary forces in sword design related to actual use came to an end long before 2013.The only evolutionary forces at work today are imagination. Nowhere in the world today do people depend on swords to defend their lives.

[Eric W. Norenberg]

Swords combining Viking style furniture with longer grips did indeed exist, but not during the actual viking period:
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=12210

If I managed to link to the right page, look for the second post from the top, from Peter Johnsson. He's posted two examples of 16 C. Swedish swords that fit the description. He notes that they were ceremonial, and intended to evoke the "good ol' days" of Viking glory.

[Elling Polden]

Looks nice, definitely more "viking style" than historic, but aesteticaly apealing.