Viking axes were Viking axes used as hand weapons in conjunction with shields. They were a versatile weapon that could dismember armored limbs and split shields in two. Most Viking axes found at archaeological sites were single-sided, although later axes made for warfare began to appear with more elaborate designs.
One such axe belonged to a magnate and was decorated with silver inlay. It also has a bird motif, which might represent the rooster Gullinkambi or the Phoenix.
They were made of iron
The Viking axe was a weapon used for both hunting and warfare. It was a hand tool that could cut through almost anything. It was also a deadly weapon, especially when thrown. The axe was so effective that it was sometimes used as an alternative to a sword. Axes were often buried with the deceased as a sign of power in the afterlife. This is one reason why axes are more common than swords in adorned graves from the Viking age.
The axes were typically made of wood for the handle and iron for the head. They were usually shaped to have a curved cutting edge that would allow the axe to deliver more force when striking a target. They could also be carved with designs to indicate their ownership or to display the owner’s skills.
Earlier Viking axes were designed to be light and compact, but as the vikings began to travel further afield they became heavier to make them more powerful. They could even be thrown to surprise unsuspecting enemies in combat. The axe had a long handle and could be held by two hands. The grip was often covered with leather to reduce the risk of accidental cuts from the razor sharp blade.
Some axe heads have cross-sections that are elegantly thin, but these were rarely used for splitting wood and were more likely to split skulls. Axes with thinner blades usually show evidence of being folded then welded together using steel bits for the edges. The hammer side of the eye was shaped to match the head’s general shape, but this is not always the case.
Although axes were not used as frequently as swords in battle, they were still an important tool for the Vikings. They were more easily forged and cheaper to produce, so they were much more widely available than swords. Moreover, axes were often used as infantry weapons due to the fact that horses were not suitable for war.
In battle, the axe was often used to parry swords and other edged weapons. This allowed the Vikings to attack from multiple directions. The axe was not as agile as a sword, but it could be used to disarm the enemy and sever limbs. In some cases, axes were also thrown to kill people in the distance. For example, in the Hardar saga og Holmverja chapter 33, Sigurd threw his axe at Thorvald, killing him.
They were made of wood
Viking axes were primarily used as tools, but they could also be used as weapons. They were made to be very light and strong, which was important in combat. They were also available in several sizes, so the warrior could choose one to suit their needs. The axes were often adorned, and some of them even had silver inlays. This was usually done to show off the wealth of the owner. The axes were found in both adorned and simple graves, which meant that even the Viking upper classes owned them.
Axes were a vital tool for the Vikings as they had to travel long distances and had to build ships, houses, and carts to survive. They were also skilled sea-farers and had a thirst for adventure. This is why they were able to sail across the oceans, and later settled in North America and Europe. Throughout the Viking Age, they were known for raiding their enemies and conquering new territory.
During this period, the Vikings also began to use iron in their weapons and armor. The axes were designed with a razor-sharp edge and were lightweight, which made them easy to handle and throw. They were also often engraved with a number of symbols, which had pagan and Christian significance. One of the most famous finds is the axe from the rich chamber-grave in Mammen, Denmark, which was inlaid with silver decorations.
The axes were also designed with a hook at the lower end of the blade, which allowed warriors to pull weapons out of the grasp of their enemies or grab them from behind shields. They were also very effective when used for close-quarters combat, as they could inflict serious wounds on their enemies.
Viking axes were typically single-sided, though there is a chance that some double-sided axes existed in the past. It is unclear how these axes were worn, but historians speculate that they may have been suspended from the waist. This would have been more convenient and secure than simply tucking the axe into a belt, which was not always practical. Another theory suggests that the axes may have been held in place with a strip of waste leather with two slit holes cut down the center, which was tucked into the belt.
They were made of metal
Axes were the weapons of choice for many Viking warriors as they were cheap to make and easier to handle than swords. They were usually made of iron and single sided. The metal was forged and hardened by heating it up to very high temperatures. This process is called heat treating and tempering, and it helps to improve the strength of the axe head as well as reduce its brittleness. The axe head was then attached to the haft, and this was often carved with Christian and pagan symbols, and decorated with silver. The axe was then finished with a coating of oil to protect it from the elements.
The Viking axe was used in both war and domestic work. It was also a symbol of status. It was so useful that even the poorest Vikings had one, although these were not designed for battle. These axes were for cutting and splitting wood. A more serious axe was the Mammen axe, which was found in Denmark and was carved with a mix of Christian and pagan motifs. It was clearly the property of a wealthy and important Viking from the area.
Forged axe heads came in several shapes and sizes, depending on their purpose. Some had a curved blade, while others were flat or round. Axes that were intended for warfare had a sharp and long edge. They were typically between one and five feet long and etched with Viking designs. They were a powerful weapon that could cut through leather armour, and inflict deadly wounds.
Another type of axe was the Viking boat axe, which had a flat and short blade that was intended for splitting wood. The axe was forged from steel and had a wooden handle. It was a very effective weapon that could also be thrown and used to chop up enemy shields. Vikings were expert in throwing these axes, which is why they are frequently seen in historical manuscripts.
The axe was a fearsome weapon that could split an enemy’s skull and break their armour. It could also perforate their helmet or shatter their shield. Despite their simple appearance, axes were very formidable weapons that made all the difference in close combat.
They were made of stone
Vikings are famous for their brutal raids across Europe, but they were also excellent craftsmen and artists. They were able to build awe-inspiring ships and travel to far-flung places. Despite this, they were mostly peaceful people who wished to settle and explore new lands. Among the most important tools of the Vikings were their axes. They were sharp, durable, and could be used to chop down trees or to kill enemies. They could even be thrown as a weapon. In addition, they were easy to handle and forged with razor-sharp blades. They were also light and made of high-grade steel.
The axes were available for both war and hunting and were often inlaid with silver, or sometimes had a cross motif. They were also heavily decorated based on the person who owned them, and some of them were used as status symbols. Those designed for combat usually had longer hafts and were designed to be held with both hands. The biggest axe heads measured around twenty-two centimeters in length and were hardened by welded steel.
There are many different types of Viking axes, and the one used in battle was called a bearded axe. It had a distinctive blade design that allowed it to be wielded with one hand and freed the user to use another weapon or a shield for protection. This type of axe was especially useful in battle because it had a square-shaped projection at the bottom, known as the “beard”, that could be hooked onto an enemy’s sword or axe blade.
A rare axe from the Viking Age was found at Mammen in Jutland. It was distinctive with inlaid silver decoration and displayed motifs that were ambiguous to interpret. One side of the axe showed a bird that may have been the rooster Gullinkambi, who like the tree Yggdrasil belongs to Norse mythology. The other side depicted a Phoenix, which is a symbol of rebirth in Christianity.
Most Viking axes were single-sided but there are some exceptions. The axes mentioned in the sagas, for example, sometimes had the head shattered when they hit a hard object, such as a rock or a tree (e.g. Egils saga chapter 38 or Eiriks saga rauda chapter 11). The axes were also made to be lightweight, which was important as they were being thrown and used in battle.