Originally posted by crispb:

Originally posted by glass zebra:

Parry bonus is just a multiplier on your block armour.
https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Blocking#Parrying

There is nothing better for parry than a high quality buckler or shield, but weapons might be enough depending on HP and value.

ah ok. so its a combination of both.

Yeah that enables the system to design some weapons to be pretty much unable to block, but still being able to parry like claws and knives. Without parry you would lose so much damage potential, but you can't hunker down from an onslaught with fist weapons.