Did you know that the name of the Saxon race was derived from the knife they carried? Its true the Sax knife was so important in their daily lives that an entire people became known by it. So, what was so special about this knife that it endured from the from the 6th to the 12th century? The answer is, it was easy and cheap to make and incredibly versatile and effective. Usually found without a guard, with a simple wood or bone hilt it offered a long wide, thick blade with a straight edge and a sloping point (easy to forge). This made it just about ideal as it chopped, sliced, hacked, whittled and carved and was no slouch in a fight as the weight forward balance of the blade and sloping point made ferocious chopping and thrusting strokes effortless. Over the years we have become quite enamored with the history and work potential of the sax so we decided to make a simple version we call the Woodsman's Sax. Like some historical saxes that have survived, the Woodsman's features a stout 11" long blade with the characteristic sloping point and an unadorned wooden handle made from exotic imported hardwood. Each of our broad bladed saxes also come with a sturdy "period correct" leather scabbard, complete with belt straps, and accented with solid brass "period correct" buckles.