Scramasax
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King_or_Chief_of_Franks_armed_with_the_Scramasax.png
The Scramasax is a European bladed weapon, vaguely resembling a butcher knife or a machete. Its blade is gently curving, usually tapering to a point, sporting a false edge on the back up to a third of the whole length.
The total length could range from as little as half a foot to a full yard.
The name 'sax' stems from the Germanic word 'sahs', designating a knife or blade. The tribe of the Saxons, who customarily carried this type of weapon, took their name from it. It was also worn by Lombard warriors as a tool, a last resort weapon, and sign of rank from the 4th century AD to the 9th century AD, and was probably well known to many other Germanic tribes around Europe too.
The Vikings distiguished between the sax (a longer straight backsword) and the scramasax.
Being cruder than a fully fledged sword, yet nonetheless an effective weapon against a foe, it became a staple with poorer soldiers, and it was still a weapon of choice for English bowmen as late as 1450.
See also: Backsword
External link
- Photo of Scramasax (seax) replica (http://www.busybones.com/Seax.html)ja:スクラマサクス