The most elaborate, costly and prestigious item was a double-edged iron sword…

Viking Age Archaeology, Richard Hall, p. 10

Archaeology tells us that Viking Age swords may have had the following characteristics (not all swords had everything):

• Pattern welded blade
• Steeled cutting edges
• Guards and pommels embellished with cast or inlaid decoration in silver or brass
• Scabbard was a leather sheath with two wooden strips encased in textile on either side of the blade, with an inner lining of wool
• Scabbard tip may have had a metal chape (for both protection and decoration)
• Grip was usually wood
• Grip may have been bound with textile