If you’re a fan of Scandinavian style, this 10th Century Gotland Viking Cross Axe is the perfect addition to Viking axes your home decor. The axe head is made of steel and has an eye catching cross cut out, giving it an Anglo Saxon look.

Axes are an integral part of Viking culture, and they were often found paired with swords, spears, or shields. They were also used for domestic tasks like chopping wood and harvesting timber.
Axes from Mammen

The axe was a powerful weapon that proved especially effective against armored opponents. A well-aimed blow from a Viking battle-axe could cause massive damage and leave the victim unconscious. It was also a good choice for close combat.

Axes were used for hunting and felling trees as well as for building ships. They were very versatile and allowed the Vikings to be more agile when it came to negotiating shallow waters.

They were also useful for climbing walls and defending themselves against enemies in fortresses. Their weight was very light, so it was possible to use them with only one hand. This made them ideal for a viking warrior to carry around when not in battle.

In 970-971 CE a small, beautiful axe was discovered in the town of Mammen, Denmark and it is now known as the Mammen style. It was probably used as a ceremonial axe and the decoration on this object reveals that it was part of a royal burial.

This axe has an inlaid silver head with a foliate pattern on one side and a bird on the other. The bird has a prominent hip joint and its wings and tail are drawn into long winding tendrils. The axe is inscribed with runic symbols, which may be a religious inscription.

On the right side of the axe head is a gaping defect that has the appearance of an axe wound. This type of injury is very serious because it can cut deep into the skin, causing severe brain trauma and fatal blood loss. It can also result in the blade shattering.

Another interesting feature of this Mammen axe is the spiral hip joint, which looks like it could depict a tree. This design is a common trait of Mammen axes.

These designs were often depicted on a number of objects in Norse art. For example, the Jelling stone at Jelling (Denmark) is decorated in the Mammen style and features the Great Beast on one side.

The earliest axes in this style were very short, perhaps only one metre (3 feet) in length. Some axes were a little longer, perhaps 1.5 metres (5 feet) in length.
Axes from Gotland

Gotland is a small island in Northern Europe with a rich cultural history, including Viking culture. A number of Viking Age objects have been found on the island, including axes, spearheads, and shield bulges.

Axes were one of the most popular weapons of the Vikings and were used for both chopping wood and fighting. The ax was a durable and reliable weapon that could be easily transported from place to place. Its blade was large and heavy, making it perfect for chopping down trees, cutting firewood, and breaking up stone.

During the 9th century, the ax changed in shape and size, becoming more durable. This change in design is attributed to the Migration Age, when the Vikings began to spread across Europe.

Cross axes are an interesting type of axe that have been found on the island of Gotland. They have a cross-shaped cut out on the axe head and are thought to have been used in warfare. They are also believed to be a symbol of Christianity.

The axes were constructed with sturdy wooden shafts and a cross-shaped axehead that was attached to a sturdy haft. These axes are a rare find, and they represent a fascinating time in Viking history.

Axes with cross-shaped axeheads are very common on the Eastern European continent, but not so much on Scandinavia. However, there are two Swedish axes (Nassja, SHM 5237; Taby, SHM 6126) that are very similar to the cross-shaped axeheads that have been found on the Viking island of Gotland.

These axes were found during the 1940s, in a burial mound on the farm Gjermundbu in Haugsbygd, Ringerike. The axes were buried with other objects, including a helmet, which is considered to be the first documented helmet from the Viking Age in Scandinavia.

Another unique feature of these axes is that the head is made from high carbon EN45 steel that has been tempered to ensure that it will not bend or break when struck in combat. This is unlike axes that are made from mild steel sheet that has been rolled and welded together.
Axes from Norway

In medieval Scandinavia, the axe was a common tool and weapon. It was used to build ships, houses, carts and other objects as well as in battles. Axes could be shaped in different ways, but were all lightweight enough to be carried with one hand.

They were also light enough to throw, making them a very effective weapon in combat. They had a large variety of designs and were often decorated with silver or gold inlay.

There are two types of Viking axes: the one-handed axe and the larger two-handed axe. Both axes had an eye on the end of the shaft (the head). The eye typically has a round or egg-shaped cross section and can be made from metal or wood.

The axe shaft itself is usually made from wood. However, it can also be made from horn or antler. The length of the axe shaft is typically 1.5 m, while the weight can range from 1 to 3 kg.

Despite their relatively light weight, Viking axes were very powerful weapons. They could be thrown quickly and had sharp edges that could easily cleave through helmets or mail. They were also very effective in fighting, as they concentrated the force of an edged blow into a small area, so they were often more devastating than a sword or spear.

Axes were commonly decorated with a variety of motifs, including flowers and animals. They also had inscriptions on them, which were used to communicate information about the owner. Some axes had a carved image on them, while others were plain, such as this Gotland axe from the 10th century.

Many axes had ferrules made of bronze or brass. Some examples of these decorations were found in Norway (C 24243, C 25583, C 27132, C 29866; see here).

There is also evidence for metal wedges that were used to secure the axe shaft when it was turned over. Three examples of this type of wedge were found in Lough Corrib (C 25583, see here).

The axeheads and shafts of a variety of types of axes were frequently decorated with ornamental motifs, such as flowers or animals. Axes were sometimes engraved with a tree or other religious or pagan symbols. This was a common practice during the Viking Age, as evidenced by this magnate from Mammen with its inlaid silver decoration.
Axes from Denmark

Viking axes were used for many purposes, including building ships and houses. They were also effective weapons in battle. They were often light and fast so that they could be thrown or a speedy attack.

Axes were also popular as gifts for other people. They were often decorated with silver or gold to show their richness and status. The Mammen axe, which has been inlaid with designs in silver, is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of this type of decoration (see here).

There are several different types of axes in Viking Age Scandinavia. Some are small and lightweight for throwing or a speedy attack, while others are heavier and more sturdy for cutting wood. There are also a number of different axehead shapes, including broad axes and axeheads with an open blade.

During the Viking Age, the Scandinavians were masters of axe-making. They had mastered how to make an axe that would be durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of battle, but still be able to cut through wood effectively.

Axes are usually made from a solid piece of wood, although they can be made of iron or bronze. The hafts of axes are typically about 0.9 to 1.2 m (3.0 to 3.9 ft) long, though there are some very long axes. The hafts were secured to the axehead with a forged or cast metal wedge, which helped to keep the head secure on the haft and protect the end of the haft from damage.

The axe head was commonly folded around the shaft and welded together, but there are some examples of thicker axe heads that have been punched out with a drift and welded on with a steel bit for the edge. These are called “eyes” and are not always seen in axes used for combat.

A viking cross axe is a type of broad blade axe with an open section that forms a cross in the center. This type of axe has been found in a few Viking Age Scandinavian graves, including a recent find from Stenstugu on Gotland, Sweden.