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It's a frequent discussed topic, but I thought I'd open a tread specificially dealing with evidence for broken back style sax sheaths, in particular aimed at the fittings, suspension. Anyone who has looked for information on this subject will find that the archeological evidence is unsatisfactory incomplete. There are quite a lot of leather sheaths found in rubbish pits in the UK and Ireland, but they are nearly always completely stripped of any metalwork. First a summary of the examples that still have metalwork remaining: The famous hunting knife of Charlemagne, which so far has the most intact sheath known: Not a lot of describing text is available about the sheath (to me). The exact dating is unknown, as is the material of the fittings. It could be gold filligree and glass inlay. The total length of the seax is 52cm. Worth noting is that the shape of the scabbard does not match the blade: the length of the tip beyond the angle is shorter on the sheath as well as the entire blade portion of the sheath. This could mean that the sheath. This could indicate that the sheath was not made for this particular seax.

Dear fellow keepers of the flame, One of the projects on my bench is a seax that has been very long in the making. The blade was forged many years ago and has been sleeping undisturbed for a long while. When Owen organised his "Axe and Seax" event the other year I decided to bring along this seax to have something to show. It never made it, as I as distracted and could not finish it in time. Now I have set about to finally completing it. Between other projects over the past few weeks I have been working on its hilt. Attached are some photos of what it currently looks like. The grip is from a rib bone of a deceased spices of sea cow with fittings of tin bronze ( a lovely warm and slightly pink color!). The leather scabbard is already done and decorated and now awaits bronze fittings. More pics to follow. Hope you enjoy!

This knife was dug up at the site of Staraya Ladoga in 1986 and just purchased by me from a private collector in Estonia (with a really @#%@#% nice collection, he sent me pictures of some of his nicer stuff... holy cow!) I probably paid too much for it... but it's extremely rare to find a blade in situ with the original scabbard still intact after 1100 years, and I wanted it bad =) While it's not in the greatest condition, you can see from it exactly how it was constructed, as the leather sheath and wood knife handle are still intact. Only one hanging ring is still attached, but as can be seen you can see the 3 layers of leather and finish along the edge of the sheath perfectly clear. The triangular punchwork decoration indicates where the other hanging rings were attached as well.

Thought I'd show off some more of our knives and leather work.... questions, critiques, comments, and especially compliments welcome... ha ha Blind tang, 1095, Clay & oil hamon, Cocobolo and Brass SAM_6068 by djs1984, on Flickr SAM_6069 by djs1984, on Flickr SAM_6070 by djs1984, on Flickr SAM_6072 by djs1984, on Flickr SAM_6073 by djs1984, on Flickr SAM_6075 by djs1984, on Flickr SAM_6078 by djs1984, on Flickr

I finally got around to finishing the scabbard for this sword (pics here if you are unfamiliar with this work: http://bigrockforge.com/tiodhlac-gift-of-the-ghillie-dhu/ These are the final pictures before sending it off. The scabbard is Lake Superior diver-salvaged 'Flame Birch'. Three piece construction.. two morticed pieces and then a birch spacer in between. It is goatskin lined with fox fur at the throat. There is a copper chape and the throat is copper, birch bark with goat skin extending out to provide a nice soft landing for the cross guard. The fit is firm and secure. The wood is glued together but backed up with two twisted wire 'clamps' that would support it well in case of a glue failure. Not to mention the chape and throat pieces. The flame birch was hollow ground like the blade and finished with danish oil. The suspension is a simple braided tie of no particular time period. Just a simple system that I liked. The poem that accompanies the sword (Gift of the Ghillie Dhu) is laminated onto birch bark and shellaqued with copper nails and leather thong. Sad they always have to go.