For blades over 14" in length see Langseax
For blades under 7" in length see Knives
The short seax is also known as a Scramasax, a Hadseax or just a Sax. The term Scramasax comes from Gregory of Tours writing in 575AD, who speaks of "boys with strong knives (cultris validis), which they commonly call scramasaxes (scramasaxos)." in his History of the Franks (IV, 52). It is not known if this name continued in use into the Viking Age.
It is not uncommon for burials in the Viking age to contain more than one knife. It is likely that small heavy seaxes were in use up until the end of the C10th but that as a weapon it possibly really belongs to the pre-Viking period.
Seaxs from the Viking Age never have metal fittings unlike the pagan Anglo-Saxon examples.
Officer Rulings
Please note that there is a change to the rulings for this item from the 1st January 2016.
Authenticity Officer
New Ruling from 1st Jan 2016
For events after 900AD blunt combat hadseax (Scramasax) blade lengths must now be between 18cm and 25cm (7-10”). This replaces the original ruling as stated in the Master-at-Arms Regulations version 3.0 (2005) stating 7-14”.
The evidence from Regia’s core period is that sharp blade lengths vary from between 7-11”. Blunting the point for combat reduces the length by 1”. Longer blades of up to 14” (sharp) or 13” (blunt) of the appropriate blade form are allowed for events before 900AD.
Master-at-Arms
Blade length 178mm - 355mm (7” - 14”)
NOTES
i) The blade and tang must be made from steel. They must be rust and burr free and must be of good overall construction and condition.
ii) The blade edge must be no less than 2mm and no more than 5mm (1/5”) in thickness. In cross section, the edge may be rounded or round shouldered but must not be square edged. The edges of a weapon must include its cutting surface and any back edges also.
iii) Seaxes with a blade exceeding 200mm (8”) in length must be made entirely of spring steel.
iv) The seax tip should be rounded to no less than an 18mm (11/16”) diameter. (i.e. the diameter of a 1999 5 pence piece). Any angle on the back of the seax that is must be rounded over.
v)The blade should not be parallel-edged (back edge to cutting edge).
vi) The blade should not be parallel-sided.
vii) The blade may have a narrow fuller in one or both sides.
viii) Seaxes may have small ferrules on the hand-grip but must not have a properly developed crossguard or a pommel.
New Ruling from 1st Jan 2016
Before 900AD - Blade length 178mm - 355mm (7” - 14”)
After 900AD - Blade length 178mm - 250mm (7” - 10”)
Military Training Officer
This is the MTO ruling
Living History Co-ordinator
This is the LHE ruling