A sword with a scabbard is a complete object. Without one you have a blade you cannot carry, cannot hang from a belt and cannot put down safely on a table with people around. The scabbard is also the part most often left out of a cheap sword, because it is fiddly to make and adds real cost, so its presence tells you something about the piece.
What is on this tag
Flamberge swords around 33 inches overall with 26 inch blades, fantasy blades at 40 inches with 32 inch blades, sawback swords at 30 inches, Viking swords with etched Celtic knot panels, and arming swords. Steel is plain 1095 high carbon at 54 to 58 HRC or Damascus of 1095 and 15N20, forge welded and acid etched, at 58 to 60 HRC. Fittings run to brass ring guards, three lobed pommels, spiked and barbed guards. Grips are leather wrapped, cord wrapped and wood.
How a scabbard should be built
Leather over a shaped wooden core, not leather alone. The core is what keeps the mouth from collapsing and stops the blade slowly cutting its way out through the seam. Fittings at the throat and the chape in steel or brass protect the two points that take wear. A scabbard without a core is a sleeve and it will be loose inside a year of ordinary handling. Spare and replacement leather is in the scabbards and sheaths.
Storing a blade in leather
Do not, for long periods. Vegetable tanned leather is mildly acidic and holds moisture, and a carbon steel blade left inside one for a month comes out spotted. Store the blade out of the scabbard or oil it lightly first. Safe handling and storage around a household is covered in the storage notes, and mounting a scabbarded sword needs a different bracket from a bare blade, which the mounting guide covers. The wavy bladed pieces are in the flamberges.
Fit and how it changes
A new scabbard is snug. Leather stretches slightly to the blade over the first few weeks and then settles, which is normal. If it ever goes properly slack, a wipe of dressing and a day of drying with the blade lightly oiled and in place will usually bring it back. A scabbard that has been soaked and dried hard cannot be recovered, which is why they should never be left wet.
Free US shipping
On most pieces. Heavier and oversized ones carry a flat charge.
Hand Forged
Heated, hammered and ground by hand.
Engraving available
Names, dates or Norse runes on most pieces.
