During the Viking Age, axes were very common weapons. This one from Mammen features a bird Viking axes motif which could be either the rooster Gullinkambi, part of the pagan tree Yggdrasil or the Phoenix, a symbol of rebirth.

Small axes were sometimes used as throwing weapons. The sagas report that occasionally axe heads would fly off the haft during a fight (see Hardar saga chapter 33).
The Axe Head

In the Viking era, most axes were used as weapons as well as tools. The axe heads were often heavily bearded to provide extra strength and protection from a blow. The axe heads also came in various shapes, from wide to thin and wedge-shaped, for different purposes. The axe head was also used for a variety of tricks in battle, such as hooking an opponent’s ankle to trip them or catching them in the throat with a sharp but not lethal blow.

Moreover, an axe’s blade could easily dismember armored limbs or break shields and helmets in two. The axe was a devastating weapon for its time, and it can be seen in many of the battles depicted in the Viking sagas.

However, the axe was not indestructible and a number of sagas tell of axes that broke or fell off the haft. This was particularly common when a haft was struck against a rock or other hard object, but also happened in battles. The axe hammer could also accidentally strike the back of someone’s head, causing an unintended but fatal blow.

The axe heads also showed different motifs, which were both pagan and Christian in nature. The axe found at Mammen displays a tree motif, which can be either the pagan tree Yggdrasil or the Christian tree of life. The other side of the axe head shows a bird, which could be either the rooster Gullinkambi or the Phoenix.

One of the most significant developments in the axe was the change from stone to iron as the material for the head. This change allowed a much thinner, more elegant axe head. The axes of the Viking era also had a more or less tapered eye (the hole for the haft) and a sharper cutting edge.

The axes were a very important weapon for the Vikings and they served them well in battle, in hunting, and in daily life. In fact, they were so useful that the Vikings had a special name for their everyday axes, “oxarhyrna” (ox-arms). The axe was not only an important tool for fighting, but it was also used in daily work.
The Axe Handle

Many of us have seen axes in Viking Age artwork and movies, but not everyone realizes that they were used as weapons as well as tools. Unlike swords, axes could be used to split wood and also inflict severe wounds on an enemy. Axes ranged in size from one to five feet long. They had blades that were curved and had a narrower profile than the blunter sword blade. This gave them the ability to cut through leather armour and inflict serious injuries on the enemy. There were several different types of axes used during the Viking Age, but Dane axes and bearded axes were among the most popular.

Both weapons and tools, axes were used by all classes of people in the Viking Age, including royalty. They have been found in richly decorated warrior graves as well as simple graves of the commoners. These axes were usually made of iron and often were elaborately decorated. A notable example of this is the axe from the magnate’s grave at Mammen, which was decorated with silver inlay.

Axes were not only used in battle but also as part of the building process of ships. In fact, the axe was an integral part of Viking expansion throughout Europe. It was capable of cutting through a helmet and perforating an enemy’s shield, and it was the primary weapon in close combat.

As you can imagine, the axe head was very sharp, and it had to be carefully seated onto the handle. This was done by cutting a slot down the center of the handle (front to back) that went about 2/3 of the way into the head, this is called the kerf. The axe head was then seated into the kerf by hand, and then snuggly seated by giving it a few good whacks with a mallet.

Once seated, the axe would be given a coating of oil to help prevent it from shrinking or cracking over time from drying up. It was also important to keep the axe in some kind of sheath, as it was easily damaged by sharp objects.
The Axe Shaft

The Viking axe was a common weapon among both warriors and civilians. They were used in battle along with swords, spears and shields. They were also indispensable for everyday tasks. Their simple design made them easy to use and affordable. Many Viking men began to use their first axe as boys. Axes were often found in Viking graves. They could dismember armored limbs and even break shields and helmets in two.

There was a large variety in axe size and shape, but the majority of them were designed for war. They were short with a narrow blade, able to pierce as well as chop. The haft was usually wooden, but some were steel-based. The haft was often decorated with a number of symbols and motifs, both Christian and pagan. The one-handed axe was especially popular for fighting, and it was designed to be light enough to be wielded with one hand.

Some axes were designed for throwing, and their design included a hook, allowing them to be thrown at an enemy, potentially disarming him or even grabbing his shield. The bearded axe was particularly effective in this role. Its unique blade design provided a wide cutting surface, and the axe head was positioned close to the handle, making it possible to throw it while keeping both hands free.

The axes used in battle had to be incredibly powerful. The sagas tell of many instances in which axe heads shattered or flew off the haft. This was likely due to the stress of combat, as axes were intended to be hurled at an enemy in order to disable him. The axes used for chopping wood were generally heavier and designed to be held in both hands. Axes were so important for daily life and fighting that they were used by people of all social classes. This is why they are still a symbol of the Viking culture today.
The Axe Weight

When it comes to axes, there is an incredible variety. The heads can take on varying shapes, but there are some basic designs that stand out. In addition, the haft can have different lengths and may be tapered or otherwise modified to better fit the head. This enables the axe to withstand both pulling and pushing forces. It also increases the amount of force that can be transferred from the holder’s arm and shoulder to the blade, so it can be a powerful weapon.

The axe’s shape makes it ideal for a variety of purposes, from splitting wood to striking blows in battle. It is important that it be well balanced, so that it can easily be wielded by the hand. It can also be used to hook an opponent’s leg or shield, making it difficult for them to defend themselves.

Axes could also have decorative carvings on their head or haft. These were a common practice among miners, as they often served as status symbols. Some even had motives that evoked the Norse gods or mythological figures. For example, a bird motif on an axe head may be meant to represent the rooster Gullinkambi from Norse mythology or the phoenix, which symbolizes rebirth.

Unlike swords, which were often preserved for the afterlife, axes were more commonly found in Viking warrior graves. They were often displayed in luxury furnishings, but they were also included in simple graves that did not contain any other weapons. This suggests that the axe was an important tool in daily life as well as a highly effective weapon on the battlefield.

Scholars have created typologies for the axe, similar to those that exist for Viking swords. Jan Petersen’s most famous typology groups Viking swords by their hilt design, and it is also possible to categorize axes according to the shape of their heads.

A typical axe head has the shape of a wedge, and it is typically bearded, which was intended to increase the surface area of the blade. This gave the axe a greater capacity to strike with force, and it also reduced its overall weight. The axe’s shape also makes it very easy to grab with the fingers, which can make it more effective in close combat.