Unleash your inner Viking axes warrior the next time you camp or chop wood with this beautiful handmade Viking axe. It is composed of a carbon steel blade complemented with a hardwood handle.

Early Viking axes had cutting edges 3 to 6 inches long. Later breid-ox (broad axes) had crescent shaped edges up to 18 inches long.
Make the Axe Head

When people think of Viking weapons, they usually imagine the massive axes used in battle. But the axe wasn’t just a killing machine, it was also an important tool for everyday life. Vikings would use their axes to chop wood, build structures, and even in close combat situations. The axe was also a symbol of power and strength, as it was associated with the god Thor. It wasn’t uncommon for a warrior to carry both an axe and a sword, but the axe was more versatile than the sword.

Axe heads were made of a variety of materials, depending on what was available. The most common was wood, but horn, bone, and antler were also used. The handles could also be made of different materials and shapes to fit the user’s hand. Some axes had pointed horns on the ends which were used for slashing attacks. Other axes had a cross motif on the head which was often used for ceremonial purposes.

The axe head needs to be attached to the handle, and this was done in a few ways. One way was to simply taper the haft slightly and slide the head on. A more secure method was to cut a thin piece of the handle near the eye of the head, and then hammer a wedge in place. This was a more time consuming process, but it provided a much stronger connection between the head and handle.

When choosing a handle material, look for something soft and "green" so it doesn't break when hit with force. You can use a sharp stone to create a split in the handle, being careful to make sure that the width of both sides is the same. Carefully slide the axe head into the split, making sure to put it in correctly, as the axe horns (oxarhyrna) can be very sharp and cause dangerous wounds if not carefully handled.

Once the axe is complete, the next step is to attach it to a sheath. This can be made from a piece of leather or some sort of strong cord such as bark or wet rawhide. The sheath should be made so that the axe can sit comfortably in the middle of it. This will help the axe to transfer power from the arm and shoulder to the blade more efficiently. The sheath should also have an opening to allow the axe head to be removed and replaced easily.
Make the Handle

The axe is one of the most powerful weapons in Viking culture, it symbolized warriors and their prowess. It was also a tool they couldn’t live without in their forested and snowy homelands, chopping trees for shelter and building materials, and for fuel to keep warm and cook food with. Vikings were often pictured clutching larger or smaller axes, looking threatening and wild with them in their hands.

Generally speaking, Viking axes were single sided and there is very little evidence of them being used double sided. However, it is entirely possible that there were some examples of a dual sided axe in use in battle but this would be highly unusual. For this reason, we’ll focus on making a single sided axe for the purposes of this guide.

As with the head, most axe handles were made of wood. This would have been the material of choice for the vast majority of axes in use during the Viking age as it was readily available and easy to work with, especially with simple hand tools. The wood for the axe handle was often carved or engraved with symbols to further differentiate it from other axes and make it easier to identify in combat or by those who had seen it before.

Most axes were also heat treated and tempered to increase the hardness of the metal and reduce its brittleness. This process involved heating the axe head up to extremely high temperatures and then allowing it to cool quickly, this greatly improved its durability.

The axe head is then attached to the haft by either gluing it in or using a wedge which is hammered in, providing a very strong connection. This method of attachment was preferred as it provided a very secure joint which could withstand both pulling and pushing forces.

The axe handle is then finished with a coating of Tung oil, which helps to protect the wood from drying out over time and shrinking which would weaken the connection between the head and handle. The handle is then left to soak in the oil for 24 hours, this allows the oil to fill up all the pores of the wood and swell it slightly which provides a much tighter fit between the head and the handle.
Make the Sheath

As most Vikings did not have the luxury of a sword, an axe was an essential weapon for them to have. It was used to cut down timber and also as a tool for work around camp. It was much easier to control than a long sword or lance and could be thrown at opponents in close combat.

The curved blade concentrates the force of a blow into a small area and can punch through mail and helmets. The sagas often mention axe blows that cleaved a helmet and head or even the shoulders. A axe can also be used to hook an opponent and drag him over something so that he cannot stand up straight or defend himself.

This viking throwing axe has a razor sharp tempered D2 steel blade paired with an American hickory handle for the best in grip and durability. It also features hand carved Norse Elder Futhark runes along the side of the handle. This is a one handed axe and should be handled with extreme caution as it is a deadly weapon.

When the axe is finished it goes through two more heat treatments to strengthen the metal and make it resistant to damage. The first is called annealing, the axe is heated to about 850 degrees Celsius and then cooled very slowly. This is to remove inner stresses in the steel which can cause it to break under pressure.

A second process is called hardening, the axe is heated to about 1050 degrees Celsius for several hours and then cooled slowly. This is to harden the steel so that it is strong enough for use as a tool.

Another way to protect the axe from damage is to wrap the shaft in iron or other metal. This reduces the chance that it will crack under stress, such as when trying to parry edged weapons. Brennu-Njals saga tells of the warrior Hrappr Orgumleidason who carried an axe with a wrapped shaft (vafinskepta).

Some viking axe heads were decorated with etching or engraving to add beauty and personalize them. This is not likely to have been common with battle axes as it would slow down the cutting and chopping process. However, there are many saga stories that mention vikings adding decorative patterns and runes to their weapons for protection or magic properties.
Make the Blade Edge

Axes were a main weapon for the Vikings and were used to kill, maim, or cleave their enemies. They had a large head with a sharp blade and were typically one handed weapons. The head could have a pointed horn on either side, called an oxarhyrna. This was a deadly feature as it could be swung and thrown across the body. The oxarhyrna also widened near the tip of the blade. This allowed for a more vicious stab wound.

The Viking axes used by warriors had cutting edges that were 3 to 6 inches long. Later, the axes used became much larger and some even had crescent shaped edges.

Making a viking axe from scratch can be a challenge but with the right tools and materials it can be done. It is important to understand the different parts of the axe so that it can be made correctly. For this project, the axe will be made out of steel and wood. It is also important to know that the axe was not designed to be used for cutting wood, so it should not be cut with this purpose in mind.

Creating the axe head and handle is a complicated process that involves a lot of careful work. The first step is to make sure that the axe head fits on the handle tightly. To do this, it must be filed and sanded until it is a perfect fit. Then, a wooden wedge is inserted and hammered in to secure it. This wedge is then glued in with epoxy wood glue.

Once the axe is complete, it must be soaked in tung oil for 24 hours. This is important because the tung oil will fill the pores of the wood and swell it up. After this, it is ready for a finish.

There are many options for a finish on a Viking axe, but the most popular is linseed oil. Linseed oil is easy to find and inexpensive. It will protect the axe from moisture and keep it from rusting.

Whether you’re looking for a unique gift for a Viking or you want to add to your own collection of Nordic treasures, the viking axe is an excellent choice. With its razor sharp blade and solid wood handle, this axe is perfect for battle and adventure.