Viking Axes Crossed

At a time when everything was made of wood, it is not surprising that axes played an important role on the Viking battlefield. There are plenty of different axe models and, like swords, they can be very dangerous when used incorrectly.

Axes were also used as tools, especially for chopping down trees. But it was rare for an ordinary woodworking axe to be thrown as a weapon, except in very specific situations.
The blade

Axes were a crucial weapon in the Viking age, used both in battle and as a tool. They were forged from iron and had a wide variety of blade shapes. They were also very heavy. This made them an effective weapon, even for a poor man.

The axe was one of the most essential weapons in Viking culture and a symbol of courage, strength and power. They were also a symbol of the sun, which was believed to represent the source of life.

They were also a symbol of the god Odin, who was revered in Viking society. This is reflected in the fact that he was often depicted as wearing an axe.

Some axes were made in a double head style, combining an axe with a hammer or a bladed head. These were rarer than single-headed axes, and could give a secondary blow if hit in the right place.

These axes are typically thicker than normal axes, and may have a long handle. They are very powerful and can cleave both human and animal heads at the same time.

In Viking culture the double headed axe symbolized courage, strength and power. It was a common way to show the leader of a group that they were strong and able to lead them in battle.

They were also used in wood-related activities, such as chopping and splitting wood. These tools were not as expensive as swords, but they were still a vital part of Viking life.

The axe was also an important weapon in funerals and burial rituals, as well as a religious tool. Its blades were often decorated with motifs. A famous example is the axe found at Mammen in Jutland, Denmark, which was inlaid with designs in silver.

Another type of axe was the seax, which was a small, knife-like ax that was used for hunting. It was similar to a machete or falchion, but it was less expensive and was easier to make.

Axes were sometimes wrapped in iron to reduce the risk of breakage during parrying or other stresses. This was especially true of axes with sharp edges, as mentioned in the Brennu-Njals saga (ch. 87), where Hrappr Orgumleidason wrapped the haft of his axe to reduce its chances of breaking during use.
The shaft

Axes were a common weapon in the Viking age, and there was no shortage of them. They were used for many different purposes, including building ships and houses, cutting wood and chopping logs, etc. They also made an effective tool on the battlefield, where they were often thrown at opponents.

Axe heads were commonly decorated with precious metals, especially silver. Some axes were even carved in the Mammen style, with a tree motif on one side and an animal on the other. The bird motif could be either the rooster Gullinkambi (Old Norse golden comb) or the Phoenix, which is a symbol of rebirth in Christian mythology.

In some cases, axes were also found with cross motifs, which point towards their use as weapons. Some of these were cross axes with partially solid heads, and they were used in religious ceremonies.

The shaft of an axe was usually a long wooden one that measured around a metre to make it easy for the user to carry the weapon. Despite their large size, they were relatively light to wield, and it is thought that they were often held with both hands.

Some axes had curved edges, which gathered the force of the blow into a small area, which increased their power when used to punch through armor or mail. This makes them a great weapon for combat, because they can be used for a variety of moves, including hooking an opponent’s ankle and throwing him off balance.

Other axes were curved in the opposite way, and this was thought to give them a unique ability to hit an opponent from behind. This feature was a useful tool for attacking the head of an opponent’s shield or for hooking their ankle, and it is thought that this type of axe may have been used by Viking warriors during battle.

The axe was also used for clever tricks, like in chapter 62 of Eyrbyggja saga, when Thrandr leapt up and hooked his axe head over the wall of a fortification. This move is said to have cut off Hrafn’s arm.
The axe head

The axe head is the part of an axe that has a cutting edge. This is where the axe’s strength lies and is why the axe was typically made from a harder, stronger metal like iron or steel.

There are many different types of axe heads, each with its own distinctive features and construction. The simplest axe head is a single bit, meaning that it has only one cutting edge. A double bit has two cutting edges, one on either side.

Another common type of axe head is the bearded axe, which has a downward-curving “beard” on its lower edge. This curved shape makes it easier to hook an opponent’s ankle and throw them off balance. It can also be used to knock their shield away and render them defenseless.

The blade of an axe can be sharp or dull, depending on the user’s needs. A sharp blade will cut through materials quickly and efficiently, while a dull one will take longer to cut but will not cause any serious injury.

Aside from a sharp cutting edge, an axe can also be decorated with decorative designs. Some axes are inlaid with precious metals and other decorations. A famous example is a Viking axe from Mammen in Jutland, Denmark that was inlaid with silver and displays a bird motif that either belongs to Old Norse mythology or reflects Christian themes.

When you purchase a new axe, check its haft for a good fit and smooth finish. If there is any wrinkling or knots in the haft, it will likely be hard to get a good grip on the axe. The haft can be made of wood or leather and will likely need to be wrapped, or taped, for added security.

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Aside from sharpening the axe, you should regularly care for your axe to ensure its longevity and performance. The axe’s blade should be oiled or covered in a sheath to protect it from being damaged by water and dirt. You can do this by soaking the axe in linseed oil or by using a lubricant such as vegetable oil. The lubricant will help prevent your axe from drying out or shrinking, which can loosen the head and make it difficult to hold on to.
The axe haft

An axe is an implement that has been used for millennia to shape, split and cut wood, to harvest timber, as a weapon and as a ceremonial or heraldic symbol. Axes can be very different shapes and sizes, but they are generally made up of an axe head with a handle, called a haft.

A well-made axe was swift and light to use, making them an ideal combat weapon. In fact, Viking axes were so light they could weigh as little as two pounds (a fraction of some swords).

The handles of these axes varied in length, but a common design was a short handle attached to a long, knobbed wooden haft. These were particularly useful for close-quarters warfare, as they allowed the user to get closer to their target than other weapons.

As mentioned, the haft was often wrapped in iron or other metals to help reduce the risk of breaking if the axe was parried by edged weapons. It was also shaped to be as long and sturdy as possible, so that it would be strong enough to survive being struck by an axe blow without tearing.

Moreover, the hafts of these weapons were typically sized to balance the weight of the axe head itself. This was especially important for larger axe heads, which tend to be heavier than smaller axe heads.

When fitting the axe head to the haft, it is best to start by removing all of the waste from the axe head itself. The waste can be removed with a sharp knife, and rasps can be used to remove any rounded edges.

It is also a good idea to leave the haft for a week in dry air before installing the axe head. This way, the haft will tighten up after the head is installed.

Another important factor is the material of the haft itself, which can be difficult to determine. Some axe hafts are very soft or flexible, and so they will easily come loose as the handle dries out. This can be avoided by using a harder haft or one that is more rigid.