[Jeroen Zuiderwijk]

There is a slight chance that in the not too distant future I might have an attempt at forging a Viking langsax. Until then, I want to do some research, as my knowledge on langsaxes is rather limited. I know it's a longshot, but is there any detailed information available anywhere how they were constructed (was the tang welded on, or forged out of the same piece f.e.?), blade geometrics (distal taper, point of balance etc.), how the pommels were attached (same as the double edged swords?). I'm also looking for some general information on what variations existed (fullered/not fullered, pattern welded examples?, hilt variations etc.), and just lots of pictures. What literature do I have to look out for?

[Jeroen Zuiderwijk]

I'll start with posting some pictures I have.

This one I saw in the Vikingship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark:


Some examples from Ireland:


(images come from this site)

And a gorgeous reproduction of a pattern welded example, which I saw at Birka, Sweden:


(For those interested, more photos from Birka and the rest of my Sweden trip can be found here )

[Elling Polden]

Here's a electronic edition of Pettersen's "the Norwegian Viking Swords"
http://www.aiusa.com/medsword/petersen/index.html

This includes the "lagsax", or, rather Single edged sword. The weapons in question are definitely more swords than Saxes; the Scramasax (translates large sax) was no longer than a large knife.

[Patrik Erik Lars Lindblom]

Nice Blade! That one from Birka.
here are 2 more pic's from this Topic

[Jeroen Zuiderwijk]

Thanks for the replies!