Handmade 1095 Carbon Steel Viking Knife

Forged in Tradition | Built for Today

This handcrafted Viking-inspired knife is unlike anything else in the Choose Blades collection. It is the only knife we make from 1095 high carbon steel — a raw, characterful blade material with deep roots in traditional Nordic and medieval knife making. Paired with a dramatic black Micarta handle, gold steel bolster and pommel, and a blade finished in forge scale black with a bright polished edge, this is a knife with genuine historical soul and serious outdoor capability.

The Viking Heritage — A Brief History
Viking knives were the essential everyday tool of Norse culture from the 8th through 11th centuries. Carried by hunters, farmers, craftsmen, and warriors alike, they were built for hard daily use not ceremony. The most iconic form was the Seax — a long, single-edged blade with a strong spine and a practical cutting edge that could handle any task the Norse world demanded.

Modern Viking-inspired knives honour that heritage by combining traditional blade profiles and historical detailing with contemporary steel and construction standards. The result is a knife that connects you to one of history's great blade-making cultures while performing at the standard of a premium modern outdoor knife.

The Blade — Tanto Point with Spine Notches and Forge Scale Finish
The blade on this knife carries several distinctive features that set it apart immediately:

Tanto point geometry — a strong, angular tip with reinforced secondary bevel that prioritises tip strength and piercing capability. The tanto profile has roots in both Japanese and Nordic blade traditions, a shape that has proven itself across centuries and cultures.

Spine notches — decorative notches are cut into the spine of the blade in the Viking tradition. These are not purely decorative, they reduce spine weight, add visual rhythm, and are a hallmark of historical Nordic blade styling that collectors immediately recognise.

Forge scale finish — the spine and flat of the blade carry the dark forge scale that forms naturally during the forging process. Rather than grinding it away completely, our craftsmen preserve it, creating a dramatic two-tone blade where black forge scale meets the bright polished edge bevel. This finish is authentic to traditional hand-forged blades and gives this knife an honest, raw character that no factory knife can replicate.

At 11 inches this blade delivers serious reach and cutting power for demanding outdoor tasks.

1095 High Carbon Steel — The Traditional Choice
1095 is one of the oldest and most trusted carbon steels in knife making, the steel that traditional blade makers have relied on for generations before modern tool steels existed. With approximately 0.95% carbon content it delivers:

• An exceptionally sharp edge that exceeds what most stainless steels can achieve
• Good toughness that handles chopping, batoning, and hard outdoor work
• Easy field sharpening — 1095 responds to a basic whetstone faster than complex tool steels
• A steel that develops a natural patina with use, darkening and characterising over time

Important care note: 1095 is a pure carbon steel with no chromium content — it will develop surface rust if left wet or neglected. A wipe dry after use and regular light oiling keeps the blade in perfect condition and allows the natural patina to develop beautifully rather than uncontrolled.

This is a steel for knife users who appreciate tradition, character, and a blade that tells the story of its use over time.

Full Tang — Strength from Tip to Pommel
The 1095 carbon steel runs uninterrupted from the tanto tip through the gold bolster and the full length of the black Micarta handle to the gold pommel cap. One continuous piece of steel. At 16 inches overall and 564 grams, the full tang is what keeps this knife solid and balanced under hard use.

The Handle — Black Micarta with Gold Bolster and Pommel
Black Micarta is among the most capable handle materials ever developed, impervious to moisture, temperature extremes, and prolonged hard use. It grips securely in all conditions and improves with use as it develops a subtle surface texture over time.

The gold steel bolster and matching gold pommel cap create a bold contrast against the black blade and black handle — warm metallic gold against jet black steel and Micarta. It is a colour combination with genuine visual impact that photographs beautifully and looks even better in person.

Perfect For
Viking and medieval knife collecting, historical blade enthusiasts, bushcraft, outdoor survival, hunting, camping, and gifting. An exceptional piece for collectors who want a knife with genuine historical character and serious outdoor performance and for outdoor users who want a blade that carries real tradition alongside real capability.

A Note From Us
The forge scale finish on this blade is not a coating. It is the actual surface that formed on the steel during the forging process in our workshop. Preserving it rather than grinding it away is a deliberate choice that honours the tradition this knife is built in. Every piece that leaves our workshop is built with that same intention to make something genuine. If yours falls short in any way, contact us directly. We will make it right.