Axes were the weapons of choice for Viking warriors. With a single blow they could dismember armored Viking axes limbs or break shields and helmets in half.

This axe from Mammen was found in a grave constructed around 950 AD. The couple was buried with items that demonstrated their status – including this fine axe. It displays a combination of Christian and pagan motifs and patterns.
Axes as weapons

Axes were the weapons of choice for many Viking warriors, as swords required a great deal of metal, which was in short supply during the time of the Viking Age. In contrast, axes could be made using less material, making them more affordable for the common warrior. Nevertheless, they were still deadly weapons capable of dismembering armored limbs and breaking shields and helmets in two.

There is a wide variety of axes found in the Viking Age, but the skeggox (or bearded axe) is perhaps the most iconic. This type of axe features a curved lower edge that extends downwards like a beard, which gives it an asymmetrical head and increases the surface area of the bit for a greater cutting surface. The bit also often features a pronounced horn on the toe and heel of the bit, which is characteristic of this type of axe.

Another important feature of this type of axe is the shaft, which can be of different lengths. Longer shafts were usually used for heavy-duty tasks such as wood-cutting or splitting, while shorter shafts were typically reserved for combat use. Shafts were usually carved with ornaments in the form of braids or mythical animals. Some axes were even engraved with Christian and pagan symbols.

The axe was also used as a throwing weapon, though rarely in combat. Nonetheless, this was an option in the event of a close-range battle when the use of a sword would have been impractical or impossible. The sagas mention several examples of men throwing their axes at their enemies in the hope of defeating them.

Axes were also a vital tool for daily life, and many Vikings kept one in their house for use in hunting, fishing or simply felling trees for woodwork. They were also a symbol of power, and many wealthy individuals owned both a sword and an axe. They were also frequently buried with their axes as part of their grave goods. For instance, the tomb of a magnate from Mammen in Denmark contains an iron axe inlaid with silver decoration.
Axes as tools

The Viking axe was the primary weapon of the common Viking warrior. During this time, swords were very expensive to make, and only the rich warriors fought with them. Unlike swords, Viking axes could be easily made from common materials. The axe was also cheaper to carry, and the Vikings used it in battles as well as for woodworking.

Axe heads varied in shape and size, but most were forged from iron with a steel cutting edge. They were sized between one and five feet long, depending on the use and the quality of the metal. The axe head was also often decorated with motifs and patterns that were either pagan or Christian. For example, the Mammen axe was adorned with patterns and motifs from Norse mythology, as well as Christian crosses.

The axe was usually held in the right hand and used for throwing, but it could also be stabbed at close range. It was also able to cut through leather armor, but it could not inflict such serious wounds as a sword would. A skilled warrior could use the axe to hook an opponent’s shield and drag him over to where he could be stabbed. This move was mentioned in several sagas, including Sturlu Saga.

Another way the axe was used was to slam it into an enemy’s shield. It could also be hooked over the body, such as the neck, to compel an opponent to move in a direction that he didn’t want to go. This technique was described in the Thorskfirdinga saga.

Axes were also used as tools for woodworking and for chopping down trees, which was a vital activity for the Vikings. They also used them to construct houses, carts, and ships. The axe was a very important tool in the Viking culture, and it is still used in various ways today. It has been used in many sports events, including the World Axe Throwing Championships. This competition is an international event that attracts competitors from all over the world. It is a great opportunity for people to showcase their skills in this sport and get a chance to win a prize.
Axes as ceremonial objects

Besides being weapons and tools, Viking axes were also used as ceremonial objects. They were often buried with the dead as grave goods. The axes found in these burials were usually of a high quality. This shows that axes were seen as status symbols, indicating the wealth and power of the deceased Viking. The axes were sometimes even given names. For example, the axe of king Eric Bloodaxe was known as “the Witch of the Helmet”.

Axes were also used for combat. They could be thrown or swung with force enough to split skulls. The axe was less expensive than a sword, so it was the weapon of choice for most warriors. It was also commonly used to scale walls of enemy fortresses. This is described in sagas such as Eyrbyggja saga, where the Thrandr leaped over the wall with his axe.

Many different types of axes were used during the Viking Age. Some had short cutting edges, while others were designed to be swung in close combat. The axes were also designed to be lightweight so that they could be easily thrown and wielded.

Some axes had decorative patterns on them. The Mammen axe, for example, was made of iron with silver inlay and had a mixture of Christian and pagan motifs. It was one of the most elegant axes ever found. The axe also had a unique haft that was curved near the head. This curved shape was meant to maximize the transfer of power from the holder’s arm and shoulder to the head of the axe.

Despite the popularity of axes, they were not always used effectively. For example, Skallagrim had a difficult relationship with his father and was reluctant to show respect for the king. When King Eirik saw the damaged axe, he probably punished Skallagrim by discrediting him in public.

Archaeologists have categorized Viking axes based on their head shapes and intended use. Petersen’s axe typology is similar to his sword typology and has had an enduring impact on the study of Viking weapons.
Axes as burial objects

The image of Vikings wading through their enemies brandishing gigantic axes has long been the stuff of fantasy, but it seems that there may have been some truth to the legends after all. Archaeologists recently discovered one of the largest Viking axes ever found in the tomb of a 10th-century power couple in Denmark. Kirsten Nellemann Nielsen, an archaeologist from the Silkeborg Museum who was involved in the excavation near Haarup, says that the size of the axe and its simplicity suggest that it was indeed a formidable weapon.

The axe was buried next to the body of a man, along with several other objects that highlighted the pair’s status in their community. The woman was buried in clothes that were adorned with silver threads, and her grave also contained ceramics and two silver coins. In addition, the axe was found with a grave marker inlaid with silver that reads “Jammesdatter.”

According to Nellemann Nielsen, the axe head could have been used to split wood or skulls. It has a thin cross-section that makes it difficult to use for wood splitting, but its design is ideal for skull crushing. Moreover, the axe was decorated with a set of swirling tendrils that can be interpreted either as pagan Yggdrasil or the Christian Tree of Life.

While most surviving axes are undecorated, some highly ornate examples have been found. One such example is the Mammen axe, which was made in Jutland in the 9th century and was decorated with silver inlay. It was a common practice to decorate axes with motifs that were influenced by both Christianity and pagan mythology.

While it is important to understand the role that axes played in Viking society, it can be challenging to determine their exact function. Many axes that have been found in burial sites do not display signs of use, and it is often impossible to tell whether they were intended as weapons or as grave offerings. However, in the case of the Mammen axe, dendrochronology has allowed scientists to date it to sometime after AD 971.