[norton]

I think you misread;
"a phenomenally high carbon content, three times that of the fakes, and half again that of modern carbon steel."

Don't fret, I did that myself once (about two days ago, right here in fact).

What it tells me is that 'negotiations' for a sword should properly begin with "excuse me while I hammer this thing against whatever affords itself in the next ten or fifteen minutes"

[norton]

PS: The title is misleading, they were real Viking swords, just not real "Ulfberht" Viking swords.

I'd be just tickled to have one of those "cheap German knock-offs" just the same.

PPS: Ulfbehrt is a silly name, but I doubt very many people told him that.