Viking Sword – Damascus Steel Carolingian Norse Hilt – 32"
This 32-inch Viking sword follows the classic Carolingian pattern carried across the Norse world from roughly the 9th through 11th centuries: a broad, straight, double-edged Damascus steel blade with a wide central fuller, a compact one-handed grip, and the short, understated guard that marks a true Viking sword — this design predates the long cruciform crossguards of the later Middle Ages. Where it departs from the ordinary is the hilt. Instead of the usual wood or leather grip, the entire handle is sculpted metal, engraved end to end with Norse spiral scrollwork and finished with brass accent rings at the guard and pommel. The heavy lobed pommel — the Viking sword's signature — anchors the design and balances the blade in hand. The blade ships sharpened, and a fitted leather sheath is included. A Pattern-Welded Blade, Just Like the Originals On most swords, Damascus steel is a modern flourish. On a Viking sword, it's a homecoming. The finest Norse blades — including the legendary Ulfberht swords — were pattern-welded: rods of steel twisted and forge-welded together, producing serpentine patterns in the blade that Viking poets celebrated in verse. Owning a patterned blade was a mark of wealth and status in the Viking Age. This blade honors that tradition with modern Damascus steel: alternating layers of high-carbon steel forge-welded, folded, and acid-etched to reveal a flowing pattern that runs through the full thickness of the blade. No two are alike — like the pattern-welded originals, yours is one of one. Beneath the pattern is working high-carbon steel, fully heat-treated and sharpened along both edges. The wide fuller lightens the blade without weakening it — the same trick Norse smiths used to make swords fast in the hand. The Engraved Metal Hilt Most Viking sword reproductions stop at a plain wooden grip. This one commits to the ornament: the guard, grip, and pommel are a continuous sculpted metal hilt, engraved with interlocking Norse spirals and chevron banding, set off by polished brass rings. The multi-lobed pommel carries the decoration through to the sword's base, so the sword presents a finished face from every angle — in hand, on the wall, or worn at the side. The grip is proportioned for one hand, exactly as Viking swords were: these blades were built to pair with a shield in the other hand. Included Leather Sheath A fitted leather sheath is included — the modern equivalent of the wood-and-leather scabbards Norse warriors carried. Use it for transport and display; for long-term storage, keep the oiled blade out of the sheath, as leather holds moisture against carbon steel. Explore the full range in our Viking sword collection — including our Ulfberht sword replica in Damascus steel — or build your own Viking sword with the blade, steel, and fittings you choose. Sword Specifications Overall length: 32 inches Weight: approximately 1.5 lbs Blade material: Damascus steel (layered, forge-welded high-carbon steel) Edge: Sharpened, double-edged Blade profile: Straight with wide central fuller Guard: Short Viking-style guard (pre-cruciform) Handle: Engraved metal hilt with Norse spiral scrollwork and brass accents Pommel: Lobed Viking-style pommel Grip configuration: One-handed Included: Fitted leather sheath Primary classification: Viking sword Related classifications: Carolingian sword, Norse sword Design inspiration: Norse swords of the 9th–11th centuries Sword Care Damascus is high-carbon steel, not stainless. Wipe the blade clean of fingerprints and moisture after handling, and apply a thin coat of mineral oil or sword oil before storage. Keep the sword in a dry environment, and avoid abrasive cleaners or polishes, which can flatten the etched pattern and dull the engraved hilt detail. Because the edge is sharpened, handle the blade with care and store it out of reach of children. Frequently Asked Questions Is this a real Viking sword design? The blade follows the authentic Carolingian pattern — broad, double-edged, fullered, with a short guard and lobed pommel — and its pattern-welded steel echoes how the finest historical Viking blades were actually made. The fully engraved metal hilt is a decorative interpretation; historical grips were typically wood, horn, or wire-wrapped between metal fittings. Think of it as a Viking sword dressed for the feast hall rather than the shield wall. What is a Carolingian sword? "Carolingian sword" is the historians' name for the sword type used across Europe from roughly the 8th to 11th centuries — the era of the Carolingian Empire and the Viking Age. It's the same design most people call a Viking sword: the Norse were its most famous carriers, but the type was used far beyond Scandinavia. What was the Ulfberht sword? Ulfberht swords were the finest blades of the Viking Age — roughly 170 surviving swords inlaid with the name +VLFBERH+T, made from unusually pure steel centuries ahead of its time. They were the inspiration for treasuring a patterned, superior blade, a tradition this Damascus sword carries forward. If the Ulfberht story is what draws you, see our dedicated Ulfberht Viking sword. How long and heavy were Viking swords? Historical Viking swords typically measured 35 to 40 inches overall and weighed 2 to 3 pounds. At 32 inches and roughly a pound and a half, this model is slightly more compact and lighter than the historical average — quick in the hand and easy to display, while keeping authentic proportions between blade, grip, and pommel. Why is the guard so small? Because Viking fighting was built around the shield. The sword hand was protected by a large round shield, not by the sword itself, so guards stayed short and grips compact. The long cruciform crossguard most people picture on a medieval sword came later, as shields changed and fencing evolved. Is the sword sharpened? Yes. Both edges ship sharpened, backed by a full heat treatment of the layered high-carbon steel. Handle it with the respect a sharpened blade deserves, and use the included leather sheath for transport. Does Damascus steel rust? It can. Damascus is carbon steel, not stainless, and it will rust if neglected — which also obscures the pattern. A wipe-down after handling and a light coat of oil before storage prevent it entirely.