Axes were common weapons Viking axes in the Viking age. Even the poorest farmer owned one for wood cutting, but they could also become dangerous weapons in a fight. The axe head could be used for chopping or stabbing. It was usually iron and single edged.

Some historical axe heads show evidence of having been folded over forging, with the eye weld together (see photo to left and historic axes in Fostbraedra saga chapter 23). The axe head could also be hooked over other body parts, such as the neck, to drag someone over for an attack or disarm.
Axes for sale

Axes were a common tool and weapon in the Viking Age. Even the poorest Viking owned a simple farm axe for cutting wood and hunting. Axes meant for battle were designed a little differently. They were lighter and smaller to facilitate throwing and a speedy attack. They also had a sharper edge. In general, the axe head was about the size of a hand and was made of iron with a single edge. Some axe heads were thicker while others were thinner.

In a fight, the axe was used as a throwing weapon to cut or sever an opponent’s arm, leg, or other body part. It could also be used as a blunt instrument, such as in an impaling blow. This was a very effective method of wounding, especially when combined with other weapons such as swords and spears. The curved shape of the axe blade concentrates all the force of a blow into a small area, making it much more powerful than a straight-edged knife or sword. The sagas mention many examples of axes that cleaved through helmets and mail. In addition, a good thrower can use an axe to knock the head of an opponent off his shoulders.

The sagas suggest that sometimes axes broke during combat, which must have been very discouraging for the user. One story told in Egils saga and Eiriks saga rauda describes a warrior who tried to parry a blow from his opponent with an axe but the haft shattered (chapter 38). Another example is given in Hardar saga og Holmverja, where Hrappr Orgumleidason threw his axe and hit Asvardr on the backbone.

An axe was also useful for defending against missiles. For instance, if someone was hurling stones at a fortification, the combatants in the fort would fling their axes towards the attackers outside. This was often a fatal blow. The sagas recount several instances in which an axe was thrown in this fashion, including a slaying in chapter 146 of Brennu-Njals saga.
Axes for reenactments

Axes are an important weapon in Viking reenactments. They are used for combat as well as chopping wood, but they also have a decorative purpose. Forged from carbon steel, this functional axe head is ideal for replacing a damaged Dane axe or as an addition to your collection. Its hammer marks are still visible, and the edge is tempered for durability. A haft, which is not included, connects to the axe head through the single socket.

The axe consists of an iron or metal cutting bit and a handle, or helve, made from wood. The helve is designed to balance the weight of the head, and it was typically shaped to fit the head. The helve may be long or short, depending on the intended use of the axe. The helve was often decorated with inlays of precious metals, a practice that is reflected in the art of the period.

One advantage of shorter axe hafts is that they can be hidden behind the shield. This trick was used by Thorgeirr in chapter 12 of Fostbraedra saga. He hid his axe under his shield and then cut through the shaft of Snorri’s spear, disarming him.

Another way to hide an axe is by using it as a throwing weapon. The sagas mention several occasions where men used axes to hurl them at their opponents. These blows were often devastating. In addition to axes, the combatants threw arrows and javelins.

Lastly, an axe could be hooked over other parts of the body to compel an opponent to move in a direction that he doesn’t want to go. For example, Hardar saga chapter 36 describes how Hordur encircled his opponents with his axe, killing six of them until the axe head flew off its haft.

Axes were a common weapon for warriors in the Viking Age, which ended around 1066 with the Norman conquest of England. They were widely used in battles and on land, although they weren’t as common for hunting or logging. Most of these axes were iron, but some were bronze. Some were even forged from silver and gold. A few of these axes have been preserved and are now in museums. Some have been modified for modern use, but most are still functional.
Axes for collectors

Axes are among the most important weapons in a Viking’s arsenal, and for good reason. They are big, heavy weapons capable of delivering devastating blows in close combat. They are also versatile tools that can be used as thrown weapons to hack opponents from a distance. Originally designed as utility tools, the Viking axe shifted into a weapon of war during the Viking raids. In fact, it is not uncommon to find Viking axes that were once ordinary woodworking axes.

The size of a Viking axe differed considerably across the era, from its haft (handle) to the head that attaches to it. The axe haft could be as long as 140cm, and the axe head would vary in shape and size. In general, the axe heads were forged from a solid piece of metal, and they would often feature decorative elements. The axe was often sharpened, and the edge of the axe could be as wide as 7 to 15cm.

One of the most popular uses of the Viking axe was as a throwing weapon, and the sagas provide many examples of this. For example, in Fostbraedra saga chapter 22, Thormodr pulled an axe from under his cloak and struck Lodinn in the head, killing him. The historic axe head shown in the image on the left is an example of the type of axe that was often used for this purpose. This type of axe was hammered all the way to the edge, and it had an elegant cross-section.

Another common use of the axe was to split skulls, and this is illustrated in the Eyrbyggja saga chapter 62. Thrandr leapt up and hooked his axe head over the wall of a fortification at Eyrbyggja, cutting off Hrafn’s arm with it.

The axe was an effective weapon, but there were times when it failed in battle. The sagas suggest that sometimes the heads of axes flew off their hafts during battle, which must have been discouraging for the fighter using it. This happened when the axe hit something hard, or when a warrior was caught off guard.
Axes for beginners

The Viking axe was an extremely effective weapon in close combat. It could be thrown with great accuracy and was also effective as a blunt weapon in the form of a hammer. It could also be used to hook other body parts, such as the arm or neck, and pull an opponent away from his weapon for a stab. It could even be used to slash an opponent’s shield, which left him vulnerable to attack.

Axes were often forged with intricate designs and runes, and there are many stories in the Viking sagas of men using their axes to decorate themselves or their homes. These decorations were believed to give the axe magical properties and protect against evil. The axes were often decorated by acid etching, although there are many other ways to decorate an axe, including traditional engraving.

An axe consists of an iron axe head attached to a wooden handle, which is called the haft. The axe haft is wrapped with a thick layer of leather or leather strips. The wrapping is tight and secure, and the edges are smooth. It’s important to keep the haft clean and dry, and to treat it with linseed oil. The haft of a Viking axe is designed to maximize the transfer of force from the hand, shoulder, and upper body to the sharp edge of the axe head.

Some viking axes have a bent haft near the head, which is meant to increase the power of a blow. This feature is useful in battle, as it increases the area of impact and allows an axe to cut through armor, helmets, or shields. It also makes an axe more comfortable to hold and swing, as the blade is closer to your face.

If you’re interested in a Viking axe for beginners, you can try the Cold Steel Viking battle axe. It’s a little longer than the other axes listed here, and it features a larger head. However, the blade is still incredibly sharp and will easily cut through any obstacle you throw it at. The axe head is also very attractive, and the handle is made of solid ash wood. You can also customize it by adding your name or initials to the axe head or handle.