Serpent Seax Hand Forged Knife
Serpent Seax Hand Forged Knife
The Seax (the word means simply "knife") was ubiquitous in the migration period and in the early Middle Ages. They ranged from small utility knives to large single-edged short swords. My interpretation does not reproduce any specific original, but it has fairly traditional lines with a heavy wedge-shaped blade, "broken back" spine and handle with a 'teardrop cross section.
The blade is a traditional three -bar composite: the edge bar is made from various bits of low-alloy high-carbon steel (dull files, and bits trimmed off other projects and even a little antique shear steel) the middle bar is heavily twisted antique wrought iron and shear steel, and the spine is antique high-phosphorous wrought iron. It was lightly etched to bring out the subtle beauty of the steel/ iron blade.
The handle is moose antler and curly maple carved with an interlacing serpent based loosely on historic zoomorphic interlace designs. It was darkened with aqua fortis to make the grain pop and hand finished with boiled linseed oil. The tip of the blade tang is riveted over a wrought iron pommel nut.
The custom fitted sheath holds the seax snugly. It is made from 8oz veg tanned leather wet formed to the knife. It too features an interlaced serpent and other geometric motifs. The fittings, rivets and hanging rings are hammered sterling silver.
Overall length 11"
Blade 6.75
handle 4.25"
This bowie style knife was made from completely reclaimed materials (excluding the sheath). The blade was hand forged from a leaf spring from an old (1940-50s) school bus found near the St. John river in Northern Maine. The guard was forged from a railroad spike and was punched and hot fit onto the tang. The handle is figured white oak oxidized with white vinegar and dissolved iron. the ferril is copper flashing and the pin is copper grounding wire. it has been hand-polished to a bright satin finish. It comes with handmade leather sheath.
This knife is made to order.
Approximate measurements:
About a 6&1/2” blade from guard to tip. Handle is about 4&1/2 puts the oal at just over 11”.