Axes were an essential part of the Vikings lives and it was not uncommon for them to be used for a variety of tasks from chopping wood to protecting themselves. This was especially true for the battle axes which were often long-handled and swung over their enemy’s head.
They were also deadly weapons that would sever major endocranial blood vessels and kill someone within a matter of minutes. This is why it was important to make sure they were as safe and protected as possible.
Axe Head
During the Viking age, axes were the most commonly used weapon for fighting. Even the poorest farmhands could use an axe to chop and split wood, so when it came time for a fight they were often the obvious choice of weapon for a Viking warrior.
The axe head was the most important part of a battle axe and the main difference between a axe intended for farmwork and an axe meant for war was its design. Axes for war were designed to be shaped differently from the ones for work and to have different edges and stencils.
Axe heads were made from iron or from other metals and carved to have a single edge, although they were sometimes also used with a curved blade. The axe head was welded to the haft and the cutting edge was usually very long, with many axes having crescent shaped edges up to 22cm (9) in length.
Viking axes were generally very sharp and had to be kept in good condition to prevent them from breaking. To protect the blade, the axe head was often covered with leather or other protective material. This was done to keep the edge from catching on something and cutting the user.
Some axes were decorated with motifs, which were often interpreted as either pagan or Christian. The Mammen axe from Mammen in Denmark is one of the more well known examples and features intricate engravings on both sides of the axe. On one side a tree called Yggdrasil is depicted, which is thought to be a pagan tree from Old Norse mythology.
There is also a motif of two birds. The bird can be either the rooster Gullinkambi (a bird from Norse mythology) or the Phoenix, which is a symbol of rebirth in Christian mythology.
The Viking axes head was also very often shaped in a curve near the end, which is believed to have been designed as a way of maximizing the transfer of power from the hand of the wielder to the edge of the axe blade. This was especially true in combat when the axe swung in a sweeping motion to strike at an enemy’s head or body.
Axe Handle
During the Viking age, axes were commonly used as both tools and weapons. The lower classes often used a wood axe for cutting and splitting lumber, while warriors had an axe for battle.
The handle of a viking axe is made of wood, and it can have intricate engravings. The engravings can be done using a variety of methods, including acid etching, which was not available during the viking period, or through traditional engraving.
Axes were an important weapon for Vikings, and they were often engraved with Norse patterns or runes to give them magical properties. These axes were also used as weapons in battle and the inscriptions on them could help a Viking to determine his enemies’ strength.
Most axes were single edged, which was common throughout the Viking age. They also had a pointed tip at each end, which was sharper than a sword or spear point. The tips of axes were also designed to create more wounds when stabbing than other types of points.
In addition to its blade, a Viking axe had a unique leather sheath. This sheath was shaped to protect the axe from damage and rust. It was also a handy way to keep the axe in one place, without it getting lost or stolen.
Some axes were also designed to be hooked over other body parts (right), such as the neck, to compel a person to move in a direction they didn’t wish to go. The axe could also be used to hook the edge of a shield, pulling it away for an attack or disarming an opponent.
These axes were also designed to have the head bent slightly near the handle, which helped to maximize the transfer of power from arm and shoulder to the edge of the blade. This helped to make axes faster and more effective at striking.
To create a viking axes handle, we’ll need to cut a large piece of wood and then shape it into the correct form. This is a time-consuming process, especially when working with only rudimentary hand tools, but it’s not impossible to do.
Axe Sheath
Axes are a popular weapon and tool for Viking Age reenactments and medieval faires. However, axes are often not cared for and they can rust quickly. Fortunately, a sheath is an easy way to protect your axe from the elements.
An axe sheath is a thin piece of leather that covers the blade of an axe. The sheath can be made from one or two pieces of leather that are slightly larger than the axe head. Typically, these sheaths will have 6 strong rivets and close with a snap fastener.
The axe sheath is an important piece of gear, because it protects the blade of the axe and keeps it in good condition. In addition, it also serves as a convenient place to store the axe.
Most axe sheaths are made of leather, but they can be made out of other materials as well. For example, some axe sheaths are made of metal and are decorated with designs that reflect pagan or Christian themes.
In addition, some axe sheaths are also made out of wood. In fact, a few wooden sheaths have been found in archaeological sites in Scandinavia.
Some of these axe sheaths have been dated to the Viking age and are thought to have been used by Vikings. Some have a decorative motif, while others have nothing at all.
Another type of axe sheath has a decorative carved animal on it. This can be interpreted as a symbol of death or the devil.
A similar axe sheath is known from Fribrodre A in Denmark (Skamby Madsen – Klassen 2010: 272). This sheath was dated to the 11th century and was about 21.5 cm long.
This axe was likely part of the armory of a Viking warrior and was probably used as a sword when not in use as an axe.
Several Viking axe sheaths have been discovered at archaeological sites in Norway and Sweden, including a sheath from the burial site of Voll (T1204). This sheath is about 140 mm long and is decorated with a carved animal in Urnes style.
Axe Wrap
Axes were one of the most common weapons used by Viking warriors during their time. They ranged in size from small hand axes that were used as throwing axes to huge battle and war axes that Viking warriors used when they deemed it appropriate to commit themselves to a battle.
These axes were very powerful and deadly, and they were often the only tool that a Viking warrior had in his hands when engaged in battle. They were very versatile and used in a variety of ways, such as perforating enemy armor or cutting through helmets in close combat.
Viking axes were made out of different materials, including Iron and Bronze. Many of them were forged and had a steel tip inserted into the blade which helped to make it more sharp and capable of holding an edge.
Some Viking axes were even made out of wood. These were commonly called bearded axes and they were very popular because of their ability to give the user a larger cutting surface while still being lightweight enough for battle.
The blade of the axe was usually made out of bog iron, although there were some examples of axes that were made out of bronze as well. These axes were very popular and often depicted in historical documents, movies, and TV shows.
During the Viking age, Vikings were very practical people and most of them would use the same weapon for their daily tasks, so it was important to have an axe that was durable and effective. This was why Vikings would often wrap their axes to keep them safe from the elements and other damage.
There are also examples of Viking axes that were wrapped to protect the haft from injury when being used for defense. This was done to minimize the risk that a blow from an edged weapon could break the haft and cause it to file down, reducing the ability of the Viking to deflect the attack.
Another way to protect the haft of an axe was to wrap it with metal, such as iron. This is a good idea because it makes the haft look more authentic and helps to prevent any damage from being caused by the edge of the axe.
