A '' (also '''''scramsax''''', '''''scramseaxe''''', '''''scramaseax''''', '''''scramasax''''', '''''scramaseaxe''''' and sometimes referred to as simply '''''scram''''', '''''seax''''' or '''''sax''''') was a type of Germanic single-edged Knife . ''Scramseax'' seem to have been used for Warfare and as a Tool . They occur in a size range from 7.5cm to 75cm. The larger ones (''langseax'') were probably Weapon s, the smaller ones (''hadseax'') Tool s, intermediate sized ones serving a dual purpose. Wearing a ''scramseax'' may have been indicative of freemanship. The ''scramseax'' was worn in a horizontal sheath at the front of the belt. ''Scram'' refers to food and ''seax'' to a blade (so, "food knife"). There is some debate about the authenticity of the longer word ''scramseax''. The Saxons may have derived their name from ''seax'' (the implement for which they were known) in much the same way that the Franks were named for their Francisca . This claim is largely supported by the appearance of scramaseaxes in early Saxon heraldry.
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