The small personal knives that Vikings valued above the scramseax and with which they were buried. (https://leatherworkingreverend.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/dsc01382.jpg and https://inhabitat.com/melting-glaciers-reveal-items-lost-in-the-stone-age/ for similar examples with original grips.) Proportioned for throat-slashing in a hand-to-hand fight. This example is 4 1/2” in length in proportion with the pocket knives carried by gentlemen in the 19th century. Single-edged slashing blade and tapered tang for embedding in horn or bone grip. Made without a guard as it was an extension of the fist and not used to parry a knife thrust. Professionally conserved excavated condition on Plexiglas display easel.
