Paul Chen seax vs. HI seax

Joined
Sep 28, 2004
Messages
185
Does anyone know how closely these two seax compare in quality and historical authenticity? The price is pretty close assuming that you catch a UBBB. I'm kinda favoring the appearance of the Paul Chen product.

Any info would would be appreciated.
 
To be honest, it will take a bit of refitting and reworking to make my Paul Chen Seax a real working blade. The handle is really too small in circumference and too smooth and I have pretty small hands. It is blade heavy and not very well balanced for most work, actually the knife itself is pretty heavy at 1.25 pounds. It will do as a "chopper", or a real hack and slash short sword!!

As with most Paul Chen knives and swords, the steel is of very good quality. However, the edge could use reprofiling, and it could be much sharper. Construction and materials are also top notch, though it seems a little fancy for antiquity's Every Day Carry knife.

My impression: for a tough user, HI would seem better. For a piece of "historical jewelry" that could made into a passable user, Paul Chen.

Why do I have a Paul Chen instead of an HI? I bought it cheap and I wasn't really paying attention...... :D
 
Well, it looks like it's HI then. Their quality is well known, and I'll take function over aesthetics any time.
 
Some prefer a "less-wide" seax blade, but the wide blade on the H.I. Seax (a full 2 inches) is indeed historically correct. Both are correct, actually.

If you want something traditional, pick up an antler-handled seax - there are some real beauties out there.

The H.I. seax was intended to be a BirGorkha version...hence the khukuri-ish handle. We knew they wouldn't complain about it if it was familiar.

However, it is the pointy-est feeling blade I have. Love that tip....wow. And yet, it's quite strong too. Fairly well balanced.


IMHO, get one of each. ;)
 
Hi There
I have two HI seax and 1 Paul Chen. The Chen item is a very close match to an actual piece( can't place it just now) and turned out pretty well. Mine is a good fit in it's sheath, nicely finshed and paper slicing sharp. My only whinge is the horrible "celtic" knot thingy on both faces of the pommel( they have to come off) and the slippery shiny finish on the handle(also to be removed). I still intend to modify one of my HI seaxs to a traditional grip as soon as i find the time and some stag antler.
Dans advice is good , buy both.
BTW having used various seax in historic combat I find they work just fine as weapons, just don't expect sword-like handling.
Regards
Phil :)
 
Actually you can do anything what you can with sword with saex, but binding opponents blade is definitelly thing I would not recommend, due to lack of guard. (BUt it can be done)
Slide and off-slide of opponents blade doesnt work that good, because of shortness of weapon.
 
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