Viking axe was a very common type of tool and weapon in medieval Scandinavian countries. Vikings used axes it to build ships, houses, carts and other objects as well as used them in a battle. However, the design of battle axes and farm axes were different. Battle axes usually were light and fast so that they can be used for throwing and a speedy attack. Farm axes were relatively bigger as they were used for chopping the wood. Our store provides battle viking axes as well as gift viking axes. Some of the axes can be made as a custom axes by adding your name, initials or any other symbols on a handle or head. All the axes are functional and can be used as a tool. Please also check our viking shields, viking swords, and viking jewelry.

Viking axe was a very common type of tool and weapon in medieval Scandinavian countries. Vikings used axes it to build ships, houses, carts and other objects as well as used them in a battle. However, the design of battle axes and farm axes were different. Battle axes usually were light and fast so that they can be used for throwing and a speedy attack. Farm axes were relatively bigger as they were used for chopping the wood. Our store provides battle viking axes as well as gift viking axes. Some of the axes can be made as a custom axes by adding your name, initials or any other symbols on a handle or head. All the axes are functional and can be used as a tool. Please also check our viking shields, viking swords, and viking jewelry.

Viking axe was a very common type of tool and weapon in medieval Scandinavian countries. Vikings used axes it to build ships, houses, carts and other objects as well as used them in a battle. However, the design of battle axes and farm axes were different. Battle axes usually were light and fast so that they can be used for throwing and a speedy attack. Farm axes were relatively bigger as they were used for chopping the wood. Our store provides battle viking axes as well as gift viking axes. Some of the axes can be made as a custom axes by adding your name, initials or any other symbols on a handle or head. All the axes are functional and can be used as a tool. Please also check our viking shields, viking swords, and viking jewelry.

All our axes are custom made and engraved by hand. Therefore, it can take 4-8 weeks depending on demand for us to make and ship your item.Vikings used axes for both offence and defence, as well as tools. Viking axe Fighting axes were lighter than lumber axes, as outlined in the sagas where axe heads flew off their hafts during combat (a discouraging outcome). This is because a fighting axe needed to be nimble and easy to handle.The axe headWhile swords are commonly associated with Viking raiders and warriors, the battle axe was the preferred weapon of the majority of free men in the Viking age. It was a versatile tool, used for cutting and splitting wood as well as in combat. The axe head was often ornately decorated, sometimes with designs etched into the flat surface or silver inlays. It was a symbol of wealth and power as well as a weapon capable of taking down even the most mighty of opponents.The business end of a Viking axe was made from a solid piece of iron or steel. This was because axes were much cheaper to produce than swords and other metal weapons. They also provided a more practical means of striking blows and parrying swords. The sagas provide examples of the effective use of axes as sword parries in battle. In one case, Gunnar shook his axe in a backswing when another man charged at him and struck him with a sword. The axe hammer struck the blade of the sword and shattered it in two, killing him (Fljotsdaela saga chapter 21).In addition to the effectiveness of an axe hammer as a parry, it could also be used to crush skulls or other hard targets. This was particularly useful in fighting against a shield-bearer because it allowed the axe to get past the shield and attack the neck, shoulder or other vulnerable point of the body.Viking axe heads were usually designed to be as sharp as possible and to cut through thick and tough materials such as bone, wood, stone or armor. Moreover, they were often fitted with runes which gave them mystical powers and made them more effective weapons. The most common runes engraved on a Viking axe head were Othala, Mannaz, Tiwaz and Hagalaz. Othala represents Inheritance, Mannaz stands for Humanity, and Tiwaz symbolizes Masculinity.There were twelve different axe types according to Petersen’s typology, which is based on their spurs and the shape of the blade. Those familiar with his sword typology will find the axe version of this classification easy to follow.The shaftThe shaft, or haft, is the long stick that holds the axe head. It is typically made from wood, and it was carved to allow a grip that could be used one-handed or both hands. It is sometimes decorated with silver inlays or other metal decorations.In addition to its practical uses, the axe was also used as a ceremonial weapon. This is evidenced by the fact that it was often buried with the dead as part of their grave goods. One famous example of this is the axe that was found in the rich chamber-grave from Mammen, Denmark, inlaid with silver decoration.Axes were commonly used to cut, slash, stab and hook opponents. In particular, they were particularly effective against shield-bearers, because the blade could be used to catch and pull down their shields, leaving them vulnerable to a follow up blow with a sword or spear. The backside of the axe head, called the oxarhamar, was also used to strike non-lethal blows, particularly as a way of humiliating an opponent.There were two main types of viking battle axes. The first was the type A, which had a straight upper blade edge and low spurs. It was used from about 600 until 840 AD. The other was the type B, which had pointed yet low-profile spurs and a curved or bearded lower blade edge that increased the blade's cleaving power. This axe was used from about 840 until the end of the Viking Age.Vikings weren’t afraid to use their axes in close quarters, either, and the sagas tell several stories of them throwing their axes in combat. This likely was not a common tactic, but in the desperation of a desperate situation, men were willing to try anything.Unlike a sword, which had to be forged from a piece of steel, an axe head was a simpler item that was cheaper and easier to produce. Thicker axe heads were usually made as a single piece of thick, wedge shaped iron. The 'eye', or hole for the haft, was made by punching out the metal with a drift. Thinner blades were sometimes folded around the eye and then welded together to form a solid piece.The handleWhen you picture a Viking warrior wielding a weapon, chances are you’re thinking of a sword or an axe. Unlike swords, which were rare and expensive, axes were commonplace tools used for both war and work. They were also deadly weapons capable of delivering a mortal wound with one blow.The business end of a Viking axe is called the head, and it comes in various forms. In the early 11th century, axe heads were seven to 15cm (3-6 inches) long, but later on, they became much larger, reaching 22 to 45cm (9-18 inches). These large axes were known as broad axes and were lethal battle weapons.Aside from the head, the other main part of a Viking axe is its handle. Like the head, the handles vary in size and shape. They were often carved with designs and symbols that represented Norse mythology and Christianity.In the sagas, there are many stories of Norse heroes using their axes to defeat enemies or protect their homes. For example, in chapter 62 of Eyrbyggja saga, Thrandr used his axe to hook an enemy’s leg and sweep it away. Other clever tricks with axes included striking an opponent’s shoulder with the backswing of the axe to cause an unintended but lethal blow.As well as runic inscriptions, some axe handles were carved with images of animals and birds. The rooster Gullinkambi, which sits on the tree Yggdrasil and will crow at the start of Ragnarok, is one such image that can be seen on some axes. Other axes were carved with the Phoenix, a symbol of rebirth that is both pagan and Christian.Aside from its role as a weapon, the Viking axe was a useful tool for cutting wood and constructing buildings. It was the most common tool among Viking men and was passed down from father to son for generations. In fact, most free Viking men owned at least one axe as it was the most affordable and versatile weapon for their use in combat or for working in the fields and on the sea.The bladeAs the Vikings invaded and colonized across Europe, they needed a powerful weapon to fight their enemies. The battle axe was long, heavy and needed both hands to wield effectively. It could cut and hook an opponent’s arm, leg or shoulder from a distance. This made it a fearsome weapon that struck terror and confusion into the enemy. It also served as a tool for wood related activities like felling and chopping trees to use for building materials or fuel. The axe was also an important part of the daily life of a Viking warrior.The Vikings axes had a wide blade that curved downward into the shaft or haft. This shape was called a bearded axe and was a distinct characteristic of the weapon. It was used from 600 to 840 AD. The curved design allowed the axe to be gripped at the back of the head or haft and protected the hand from the impact of an opponent’s shield or spear.A curved axe blade was ideal for attacking from a distance, but could also be used to defend. The axe was also useful in cutting through armor. It was also capable of cutting through a shield, but this would require exceptional skill from the user.The axe was often carved with different symbols and motifs to reflect the owner’s beliefs. This was true of the axe found in the chamber-grave from Mammen, Denmark. The axe displayed the rooster Gullinkambi, a creature of Norse mythology that sits on top of the world tree Yggdrasil and is responsible for waking the warriors in the morning. The other side of the axe pictured a Phoenix, a symbol of rebirth belonging to Christian religion.In addition to its offensive and defensive capabilities, the axe was also useful for fighting off spears or other weapons. It was possible to hook the axe over an opponent’s body, such as the neck (pictured below), to pull them away for an attack or disarm. This technique was described in several sagas, including Hardar saga og Holmverja and Sturlu saga.

Welcome to snipesearch social, a more tolerant social network.