Balaur Arms Norwegian Viking Type E - Overview of Quality

Balaur arms and Kult of Athena bring you this 'reproduction' of a Viking Era Type E Sword. Overal it's a cool piece and is visually striking but the fit, finish, and weight leave much to be desired.

The Type E Viking sword stands out among Viking swords for its particularly large and dominating hilt coupled with a broad blade. Most known examples date to the 9th and early 10th century in Norway, particularly near Trondheim. This reproduction by Balaur Arms has a blade of tempered high carbon steel with a wide and deep weight-reducing fuller running the center of the blade on both sides. The blade is tempered to a 56-58 HRc hardness.

The guard and pommel are cast from fine bronze; like traditionally-constructed examples this sword has a two-part pommel with a hollow upper pommel cap copper-riveted to the lower pommel and embellished with inlaid braided steel wire. The hardwood grip is tightly bound in leather and the sword blade is stoutly anchored into the hilt with a robust peen over the pommel.

The sword is paired with a wooden scabbard which is tightly wrapped in leather and capped with a chape of copper. A wooden suspension loop is tightly secured with a leather braided banding and allows for the sword to be slung from a shoulder baldric for wear.

Overall Length 37 5/8''
Blade Length 30 7/16''
Weight 3 lbs 10.4 oz
Edge Unsharpened
Width 55.3 mm
Thickness 3.6 mm - 2.9 mm
Pommel Peened and Riveted
P.O.B. 3 1/16''
Grip Length 3 3/4''
Blade 1560 to 1566 High Carbon Steel [1561 High Carbon Steel (ASTM)]
Class Battle Ready
Culture Viking
Manufacturer Balaur Arms
Country of Origin India

[vladimirkovacevic]

thats beautiful viking sword, i love brass and copper parts

[devilknight]

What you’re calling an end cap is the pommel. What you’re calling the pommel is the upper guard.

The pommel, that you’re calling an end cap, wasn’t originally hollow. It had a hollow to fit over the peen, but it was otherwise solid, and acts to counter the weight of the blade.

[recycled]

I have the Balaur Arms Type E too. My sword is fitted well, nothing to complain at all. The scabbard fit is impossible though, without some modifications. I was offered a replacement, but I just didn't trust what sword they would send being afraid of receiving a poorer fitted replacement. So I decided to keep it and work on the scabbard myself. I could buy a custom scabbard that reasonably priced and fairly accurate, I just might do that. I appreciate your review. Wishing you the best.

[FortuneFavoursTheBold]

Excellent review. Very knowledgeable of period swords. Perhaps it's best that we say good-bye to OTC--Balaur Arms' previous contract maker. The very liberal use of epoxy to fill the gapping hole of a crossguard fit is a hallmark of their work, which is sad, because most of Kult of Athena's designs for the BA brand are very interesting.

[Wolf]

That gap between the blade and hilt is really unacceptable. I think the worst I have ever seen. It turns an otherwise decent blade into a throw-away piece of junk.