The Dark Age, specifically, refers to a time (476–800) when there was an absence of a Roman emperor in the West; or, more generally, to the period marked by frequent warfare and a virtual disappearance of urban life. The Dark Ages, also known as the Early Medieval Period, began by the deposition of the last western Roman Emperor by a Germanic leader in 476 A.D. The period is marked by the "Germanization" of the Roman armies and a massive wave of attacks on the Roman Empire commonly referred to as the "Germanic" or ""Barbarian Invasions".
DSA forged this Early Medieval sword, or "Dark Age" sword, to reflect the cultural trend of the Germanic tribes as well as the change in Roman arsenal. Relatively short in length, the Dark Age sword is inspired by the swords used by the Roman armies as well as those found among the various Germanic tribes. The Dark Age sword is forged with 1060 High Carbon Steel. The leaf shaped blade has been Tempered to a Rockwell of 53.
While the edge comes with a narrow 1.4mm edge so you can actually use it in blade on blade contact (CAREFULLY and RESPSONSIBLY of course – please see our section on sword training and fighting on the main site for info) – the blade is strong enough that you can sharpen it up yourself or pay an additional fee of $30 for them to be given a quick and ready edge if you want to use them for test cutting practice.
The hilt itself is extremely attractive and authentic, with a mild steel crossguard, steel and wooden pommel and wooden handle.
There may or may not have historically been a sword that looked like this in the Dark Ages, but since so few swords from this period survive, we may never really know.
The leaf shaped blade makes this sword an ideal cutter when sharpened, and it's weight and balance makes it a very powerful and barbaric weapon indeed - though it can be a little hard to control.
Click here for the review of this sword on SBG
STATS
Blade Length: 28.5”
Handle Length: 8”
Point of Balance: 3.5”
Weight: 3lbs 2oz
FEATURES
1060 Carbon Steel Blade, Tempered to a HRC of 53
Mild Steel and wooden Fittings
Hand made in Canada
Designed for solid steel on steel contact
QUALITY CONTROL
Each sword is inspected at the Darksword Warehouse by the makers themselves for any looseness, rust or blade damage before shipping in a tightly packed, form fitting cardboard and shrinkwrapped package and sent inside a cardboard box.
