A part of the daily life

We typically visualize him or her with an axe in hand when we imagine a viking. Perhaps integrated with a round shield. Swords were used but not every viking could afford a sword. It takes more costly material to make a sword, it takes more ability making a sword and a sword only has one use. While the axe has multiple uses and every farmer throughout that time had one, the axe has actually ended up being the iconic weapon of a viking.

A tool that was become a weapon

Although every farmer owned an axe and might be seen as “pauper’s weapon” we got examples that were used as a status sign and a weapon just an abundant person might manage. Axes might be embellished with inscriptions and silver or gold inlays. A well known axe is the “Mammen axe”. The axe was discovered in a wealthy tomb in Mammen, Denmark. Read more about the Mammen axe here.

Various types

The axe has been with us for a very long time and has developed from being a vital tool to a weapon and status sign. Axes without sign of usage have actually also been found and with a shape that did not appear to be useful. Such axes are suggested to have been utilized for ritualistic use and utilized in rituals. There are also photos that give this hint. One image to point out is the “The Bridal Couple scene” that is a rock carving that was made in Bohuslän, Sweden, between 1700 B.C. – 300 B.C, revealing a couple standing near each other and next to the there is an individual with a raised axe. Find out more about the rock sculpting here.

The common viking axe were created by the viking blacksmiths. The body of the axe was made out of bloomery iron with a high-carbon steel edge. And with a single edge. There is no evidence that the vikings used double edged axes. Depending upon the style it could be made in three various ways. Axes with a wedge random sample were usually made like most modern axes, with a punched eye. Axes with a thin random sample, such as dane axes, were usually made with a folded eye. These 2 methods are the most typical, but some axes likewise have a weld on the back of the eye, at the butt. Due to the noticeable weld on the butt one may suggest that the axe body was cut open like a Y shape, and then welded at the back to make the eye.

• Bearded axe: The name comes from old norse “Skeggøx”, Skegg= beard and øx = axe. This kind of axe is used in fight and as a tool. It is called a beard axe given that when taking a look at it in profile, the cutting edge drops listed below the width of the butt and kind of appear like a beard. This enables the axe to have a large cutting edge while keeping the total weight low. When used as a tool the worker can grip the axe so the hand lags the cutting edge which increases control and the axe can be utilized for planing or shaving. This style is maybe not as typical as it utilized to be but the design is still in use by contemporary woodworkers. In battle the bearded axe can likewise work. The axe can be forged light while still having a wide cutting edge. And the beard can be used as a hook to pull down an opponent’s shields or weapons among other things.

• Dane axe: The size of the axe varies however a typical Dane axe has a 20 cm – 30 cm ( 8 and 12 in) long cutting edge, a very thin blade and with distinct points at the toe and heel. Despite the fact that it is a large axe, the weight was just 1 and 2 kg (2.2 and 4.4 pound). This is due to the thin blade. The blade might be as thin as 2 mm (0.08 in). The common dane axe had a manage that was 0,9 – 1,2 m (3.0 and 3.9 ft) long however there were also larger ones that were used as a status symbol. These might be as long as 1.5 – 1.7 m (5 to 5 1/2 feet).

• Broadaxe: The broadaxe is a tool. As wood was used regularly, the broadaxe was utilized to make wood into lumber for buildings and ships. The shape, size and cutting edge differs depending upon the usage for the axe. Like the bearded axe the broad axe is not as typical as it utilized to be however lots of carpenters still choose a broadaxe.

• Atgeir: The Atgeir is frequently translated to “halberd”. It is mentioned in Njal’s saga. Atgeir is associated with the old norse geirr, which means spear. An Atgeir is most likely closer to a costs or Glaive. Could be that it was developed from a tool/type of axe that were used for peatery.

• Axe typology: If you are investigating and looking for reproductions you might have discovered that some utilize a sort of typology. Axes are classified by shape, time period and by intended use. A typology that was developed by a Norwegian archeologist, Jan Petersen, is frequently utilized. Axes are classified into 12 categories and are described “type A-M” (there is no type J). The three main points that differ in the shapes are the blade, neck and spurs.

How they were made

In Scandinavia during the viking period the axe was a typical weapon given that it was a common tool at the farm. The axes that were utilized at the farm were heavy and maybe not so well balanced and simple to manage in fight so with time the tool was established into a weapon. The battle axe is a bit various from the axe used for wood work. Axes used in battle required to be easy and quick to manage so they were frequently thinner and for that reason lighter than woodworking axes. When my interest for vikings and their axes startet to grow I read that they were thin and I likewise saw it on pictures, but it was not till I held an actual viking battle axe in my hands that I realized how light and classy they were. With time the manage also became longer and soon the two handed axe was developed.

Revealing your status

When speaking about viking age axes they are often described various names. You might have heard of a dane axe? or a type L axe? Or the beard axe? Down listed below you can see a photo of an axe and its anatomy. Under the picture you can read more info about the most typical viking axe designs.

For ceremonial use