An axe was one of the most important tools for a Viking warrior. It was used in combat as well as for everyday use.
They were made from wood for the handle and iron or steel for the blade. They were lightweight and extremely sharp.
Axes as weapons
The Viking axe was one Viking axes of the most feared weapons of its time. Its long shaft and iron head were strong enough to dismember armored limbs and break shields in two with a single blow. The axe was also light enough to be wielded with one hand, and its impact was devastating in battle.
As with swords, axes evolved over time to improve their effectiveness in combat. The blades became lighter and wider, and a barb was added to the lower end of the blade. It was also possible to hide the axe in a shield, as Thorgeirr did when he killed Snorri in chapter 12 of Fostbraedra saga.
Axes were also used as status symbols, and one example is the axe from the grave of the magnate Mammen in Jutland, which was decorated with silver inlay. It is one of the most elegant Viking axes found to date.
Many Viking axes have been preserved from archaeological contexts, and some of these have a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Some of them are very thin, and appear to have been folded around the eye, with a weld just forward of it, which is known as a “wrap” (see the image at right).
Others are thicker, showing evidence that they were folded over the eye to form the haft. These hafts are known as “rivers” and were probably made by riving the ends of the shaft with iron or other metals.
Most Viking axes were designed to be held in the left hand, and were typically longer than those in the right. It was this feature that enabled them to be used in a double-handed manner, allowing the warrior to keep his shield in reserve while fighting with the axe.
Petersen’s typology of axe types has been the standard tool for identifying and analyzing Viking axes since 1919. It consists of twelve types and has enduring influence on the study of Viking weaponry.
The axe has become increasingly popular as a weapon in the 21st century, and you can find authentic replicas of these historical weapons online for your reenactment activities. You can also buy axes with a specific style or design, which are perfect for Viking reenactment groups and other costumed events. You can also find a great selection of other Viking-era weapons, including spears, maces and halberds.
Axes as tools
Axes were a standard weapon in Scandinavia during the Viking Age. They were used for cutting and splitting wood, felling trees, and other tasks around the home, in addition to being used as weapons during combat.
A sharp axe could slice, slash, and chop through the armor of an enemy or even tear out the head of a spearhead with deadly force. A skilled warrior could also grapple the axe’s haft behind their beard to keep it from cutting through their hand, and they were often able to pull weapons out of defenders’ grasp with their axes.
The axe was also a common weapon for hunting, scavenging, and fishing. They were used to cut down a wide variety of animals, from small mammals to large wild animals like deer and elk.
In addition to being used as a tool, axes were also used in combat as they were lighter and easier to throw than swords. They were also less expensive and more readily available to the Vikings, as they required much less iron than swords did.
There were several different types of axes that were used during the Viking Age. These included Dane axes and bearded axes, both of which were used for combat as well as wood-cutting.
Many Viking axes were decorated with symbols from both Christian and pagan traditions. One example is the axe of Mammen, which shows a tree and a bird motif. This type of axe was a popular choice for warriors and was buried with them as a token of their death.
As with other weapons, axes were forged to specific designs. Some of them had a wedge-shaped cross section that tapered toward the edge, giving them greater strength. Others were thicker and had a hardened steel edge.
Another important feature of Viking axes was their blades. They were made to be razor-sharp so that they would be able to cut through leather armour or other materials.
Axes were often forged with a hook (called a barb) at the lower end of their blades, making them much lighter than swords and easy to conceal in a mantle or behind a shield. This was a clever move that allowed Vikings to surprise an enemy who thought they were fighting an unarmed opponent.
Axes as shields
Vikings were very proficient at using axes as shields. They could defend themselves against incoming attacks, redirect them away, or even kill the opponent if the weapon was thrust at them. They also used the swiveling motion of their center-gripped shields to outmaneuver, bind, jam, or otherwise thwart their enemy’s attack.
Shields were generally made of several planks, glued together with iron nails and bands. They were often chamfered at the edges to make them thinner. A few shields have been found that are made of linden wood, which is a lighter type of wood than pine.
In combat, a fighter wore his shield with his right hand and usually held the sword with his left. This allowed him to use both hands to attack with the sword, which was more effective than using only one hand.
Many axes were also used in battle as shields, especially the so-called bearded axe, which had a lower edge that extended downwards like a beard. This increased the strength of the cleaving blow.
They were also very common on board ships, where they were arrayed along the gunwales to protect crew members from wind and waves. On land, they were usually slung over the shoulder with a leather strap, as described in chapter 24 of Ljosvetninga saga.
Some sagas describe instances where a warrior threw his shield on his back to wield a spear with two hands, such as in the Egils saga (chapter 53). When fighting Earl Hringr, Thorolfr threw his shield over his back and thrust with his spear with both hands, eventually hitting the earl’s chest and causing him to die from his wounds.
Axes were not always effective as shields, though, and in many cases they did split or puncture under the force of incoming spears, axes, or swords. This is why it was not uncommon for a warrior to carry more than one shield in a fight, particularly if they expected a protracted encounter or were expecting an opponent who would try to use multiple weapons.
We performed a simple test on an unfaced plied shield and an unfaced planked shield to compare the damage that an axe can cause to each kind of shield. The unfaced plied shield offered little protection after the first few blows, while the unfaced planked shield protected the fighter well after the fifth.
Axes as throwing weapons
Axes are a type of throwing weapon that was used by Viking warriors in battle. They were a very common weapon during the Viking age, and they were often made of iron. They were cheaper than swords, so they were much more popular with the Vikings.
Axes were also very durable and did not shatter when thrown, making them ideal for use in combat. They were also a great way to intimidate an enemy, as they could be thrown with incredible speed and accuracy.
These weapons were not only useful for fighting, but they were also very practical tools to have around the home as well. They were used for chopping wood and for other everyday tasks, as well as for building houses, fences, and boats.
They were also a great tool for hunting and fishing, as they were strong enough to take down a deer or elk, and they were easy to carry on your back.
The head of axes was usually designed with sharp horns on both sides, and they were kept extremely sharp so that they could be used for stabbing or cutting. This made them especially deadly when they were thrown or slashed.
There are a number of different types of Viking axes, each of which has its own unique characteristics. Some of them were designed for throwing, while others were more focused on close combat.
Axes that were designed for throwing were typically shorter than those that were used for combat. They also had a smaller haft and a more compact head, which made them easier to handle in combat.
When Viking warriors were in battle, they threw their axes in an overhand motion. This gave them the advantage of being able to throw them in a spin and rotate them as they flew through the air. This was a great way to intimidate an enemy and it was also a very effective method of disarming them.
Another method of using an axe was to use it as a spear. This was a very effective method of dealing with an enemy that was in close quarters, as it allowed the warrior to disarm them with one weapon at a time.
