One-Handed Viking Age Norman Style Sword
€365.00
Additional shipping costs will be added at checkout for deliveries, if applicable.
One-Handed Viking Age Norman Style Sword
A functional single-hand Norman style sword that carried northern Europe from the late Viking age into the 11th century. AzureForge models it on a Wheeler Type VIII hilt and an Oakeshott Type X single-fuller blade, the geometry you see on swords from around the Norman Conquest. It pairs a 65Mn spring steel blade with stainless fittings and a leather-hung scabbard.
This is a historically inspired design rather than a copy of one museum piece. AzureForge draws on period hilt and blade forms and builds them with modern steel for collectors, display, and cutting practice by experienced adults.
The Norman Style blade
AzureForge forges the blade from 65Mn spring steel, oil quenched and then tempered at low temperature for a stable balance of hardness and toughness.
It follows the Oakeshott Type X pattern: a broad blade with a single wide fuller running its full length, and a thickness that tapers steadily from base to point to keep the weight where you want it. At 76.5 cm it sits in the classic one-handed range.
Hilt and fittings
The C05 uses a Wheeler Type VIII proto-Norman hilt: a wide, flat cruciform crossguard and an integral pommel. We classifie the pommel as an Oakeshott Type B, a silhouette that sits between the older tea-cozy shape and the later brazil-nut form, which fits the 11th-century transitional styling. Both the guard and the pommel are stainless steel, so they hold up to regular handling and long stretches on display.
Grip
The grip is wrapped in genuine top-grain cowhide using a seamless medieval wrap and finished with an anti-slip texture for a steady, comfortable hold. The wrap is hand-finished and set with adhesive. Over time that adhesive can loosen and the wrap may lift, so see Care for how to keep it tight.
Scabbard
The sword comes with a superfiber scabbard finished with a simulated cowhide grain. A genuine cowhide suspension hanger with brass fittings completes the set, so you can hang it for wear or display.
Historical note on the Norman Style Sword
We present the C05 as a Wheeler Type VIII proto-Norman sword, a transitional form that blends late Viking craft with 11th-century Norman design. The Oakeshott Type B pommel and Type X single-fuller blade match the mainstream hilt and blade geometry of the Norman Conquest period.
The Blade Truth Standard
We tell you what a sword is and what it is not, so you buy the right one.
Steel Truth. 65Mn spring steel, oil quenched and low-temperature tempered. Stainless steel guard and pommel.
Build Truth. Oakeshott Type X blade with a single full-length fuller and a tapering thickness gradient, set on a Wheeler Type VIII hilt. The balance sits about 10 cm ahead of the guard, closer to the hand than a pure Viking sword, which usually carries its balance 12 to 14 cm forward. That rearward balance gives the C05 cutting authority while keeping the point responsive for thrusting.
Use Truth. Made for target cutting on soft media such as tatami, water bottles, and light mats, plus static display and reenactment kit. Experienced cutters can use it for solo cutting drills. It handles like a real arming sword because it is one.
Limit Truth. The edge and point are functional, so treat it as an adult tool and keep it away from children. It is not made for edge-to-edge sparring or steel-on-steel bouting, which chips any cutter and can loosen the fittings.
The grip is set with adhesive, so it can lift over time and may need re-securing. We do not call it “battle-ready.” That phrase tells you nothing about what a sword can actually do; the Blade Truth Standard above does.
Specifications
| Specification | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 92 cm (36.22 in) |
| Blade length | 76.5 cm (30.11 in) |
| Hilt length | 14.5 cm (5.7 in) |
| Crossguard width | 18.5 cm (7.28 in) |
| Max blade thickness | 6 mm (0.23 in) |
| Max grip width | 3.6 cm (1.4 in) |
| Point of balance | 10 cm from the guard (3.93 in) |
| Sword weight (no scabbard) | 1.2 kg |
| Weight with scabbard | 1.6 kg |
| Blade steel | 65Mn spring steel |
| Guard and pommel | Stainless steel |
Each sword is made individually, so length can vary by up to 3 cm and weight by up to 150 g. Small variations like this are normal.
In the box
- AzureForge C05 one-handed sword
- Superfiber scabbard with genuine cowhide suspension and brass fittings
Care for the Norman Style Sword
Wipe the blade down and give it a light coat of oil after handling, then store it somewhere dry. Keep the edge away from hard surfaces and other metal.
Scabbard fit shifts with humidity and temperature and can feel loose when it arrives, which is normal for a leather-and-fiber rig.
Because the grip wrap is set with adhesive, it can lift over time. For long-term storage, wrap the grip and apply light pressure to hold it in place.
Questions buyers ask
Is it sharp? It ships as a functional cutting sword. Confirm the exact edge against the listing, since the product page does not state it outright.
What period is it based on? The 11th century, around the Norman Conquest, when late Viking swords were turning into Norman and early knightly arming swords.
What is the blade steel? 65Mn spring steel, oil quenched and low-temperature tempered.
Does it come with a scabbard? Yes, a superfiber scabbard with a genuine cowhide suspension and brass fittings.
Can I spar with it? No. Use it for cutting soft targets and for display. Edge-to-edge contact will chip any cutter.
