Few weapons are as feared or as iconic as the Viking axe. The sagas tell of blows that cleaved heads and bodies with a single blow.
The bearded axe or skeggox was in use from the 6th century AD to the end of the Viking Age as both a tool and weapon.
Handle
Axes were an essential part of any Viking warrior’s arsenal. They were used as weapons as well as tools to build ships, houses and carts. They were also effective in battle, able to cut through armor and dismember limbs with a single blow. They were often used in combination with swords, spears and halberds, as shown on several sculptures of Viking warriors found in Middleton, North Yorkshire.
Historically, axes were made of wood or iron. They were relatively light and needed less metal than swords, so they could be thrown farther. They also required much less labor to construct, which contributed to their popularity in the Viking era. The variety of axes that exist is largely due to their use as both tools and weapons. Many axes were also designed specifically for combat, with longer bladed sections called a ‘beard’ that extended below the head.
The handle of a viking crossed bearded axe is typically made from strong hardwood. It is hand forged and hardened to withstand any punishment. The axe’s handle is shaped to the head, and it may be carved with runes or symbols. The axe handle is also chiseled to fit the haft of the head and the curved edge of the blade. A wooden wedge is inserted into the haft and secured with epoxy wood glue. The axe is then laid in a tung oil bath for 24 hours to fill the pores of the wood and ensure it will never shrink.
When it comes to Viking weapons, most people think of sharp and heavy swords that sliced through enemy lines in battle. But the axe was another important weapon for Viking warriors, and it came in a wide range of sizes and shapes. These were usually used along with swords, spears, halberds and shields.
In a time when most things were constructed from wood, it is not surprising that the axe was available in so many different designs and forms. Some axes were specifically designed for war, while others were used as ordinary woodworking tools. This is why so many axes have been found in archaeological contexts.
Blade
During the Viking Age, Scandinavians developed a wide variety of axes that were both tools and weapons. While the axe was generally used for chopping, it could also be used to attack enemies with a crushing blow. The most effective axe designs were those with a hook or “beard” that extended the cutting edge below the butt of the axe. This feature distinguished axes of this type from other axes such as the Native American tomahawk or the Bronze Age axe. The axes of this type were called bearded axes (skeggox) and are the axes most closely associated with Viking warriors.
The blade of the skeggox is long enough to cause serious head wounds that were capable of killing an enemy instantly. The sharpened blade of the axe could penetrate the skull and cut major blood vessels, resulting in severe brain damage and rapid death. The hook or beard of the axe also served as a deadly weapon when swung over an opponent’s shield. This weapon was so lethal that it is mentioned several times in the sagas, including in the chapter 146 of Brennu-Njals saga when Thorgeirr attacked a man with an axe hammer and killed him.
Viking axes had a wide range of heads with different motifs, but the most common was a symbol of Odin and his runes. Some axes had the horns of an animal such as the stag or reindeer, while others had a bird motif such as the rooster Gullinkambi and the Phoenix. The rooster and the Phoenix both represent fertility and rebirth, so they were symbols of both pagan and Christian faiths.
This particular axe has an iron axehead and a wood handle. It is a replica of an original Viking axe that has been preserved for centuries and is now in a museum. It has a very distinctive feature, which is that the axehead has actual combat damage in the form of a broken weld on the shaft body. It is a great piece of history and would be a beautiful addition to any collection.
Axehead
Axes were the primary weapon of viking warriors on their raids and battles throughout Europe in the eighth and ninth centuries, as well as in their feuds with other Nordic people. They were deadly, capable of cleaving heads and bodies at a single blow, and few weapons were more feared.
Unlike swords, axes could be wielded with one hand. This made them more maneuverable in combat, and they were also used for other tasks, such as chopping and slicing wood. The axe head was typically square in shape with a flat top and a narrow, tapered bottom. This design allowed the axe to cut deeply into a target, but it was still easy to control because of its light weight and narrow blade width.
The ax head was often decorated with a variety of motifs, both Christian and pagan. The Mammen axe from Jutland in Denmark, for example, is inlaid with designs that appear to represent both the Christian tree of Yggdrasil and the pagan tree of the Norse gods. Other axes were undecorated, and this may have been because they were intended for utilitarian rather than ceremonial use.
Some axes were specifically designed for battle, and these differed from farm axes in that the blade extended lower on the face of the head. This design allowed the ax to have more of a hook, which was helpful in catching and holding an opponent’s shield or weapon. Some of these axes had an additional ridge or projection on the back of the ax head that acted as a further hook, and this was called the beard.
Viking axes were surprisingly versatile weapons, and they could be used as a hook, a stave or – with the right blade sweep – even a short, stabbing spear. Because of this versatility, they were considered valuable treasures and were often engraved with the names of kings or other important people.
The axe was the most common weapon of the Vikings, and it is one of the most recognizable symbols of their culture. This axe features a hand forged axe head and a hardwood handle. It is available in a wide variety of finishes, and makes a great addition to any collection.
Sheath
The Viking axe was one of the most distinctive and feared weapons on the Viking raids of the eighth to ninth centuries. Its long shaft was wielded with both hands, and its iron head could split heads and body parts in a single blow. However, despite its fearsome reputation, the axe was not as significant to Viking warriors as swords and spears were.
Vikings used axes for both farming and warfare. They were not the preferred weapon of war, but they were very effective in hand-to-hand combat. In battle, the axe was often used to cut through helmets or mail, and the curved blade helped concentrate all of the force of the blow on a small section of the edge, making it a deadly weapon.
Axes with a curved blade were also useful in disarming an opponent or removing an enemy’s shield. For example, sagas describe warriors using the head of an axe to hook an enemy’s arm or shield and pull it from their grasp. Depending on the type of axe, the head could be swung in a wide range of ways to cut through armor or smash skulls.
Our viking crossed bearded axes are handcrafted by our experienced artisans and made from high-quality materials. The axes are finished with natural oils to give them a beautiful sheen. Each axe is engraved with the Aegishjalmr symbol, which was meant to protect and strike fear into your enemies. A hand-stitched leather sheath is included for easy carrying and protection of the axe head.
The axes’ handle is crafted from solid beech wood and shaped to ensure that it fits comfortably in the hands. The wood has a fine grain structure and tight grain, which helps to make the axe handle durable and strong. Its curved shape makes it comfortable to grip and use. The axes have been treated with natural oils to prevent them from drying out or cracking.
This is a rare and exceptional Viking Bearded Axe with a large drop blade that creates a broad cutting edge. It is in excellent preservation and has actual combat damage (broken weld on the shaft body) which provides unique historical evidence of the axe’s use!
