Super S on Viking Axes

An axe was one of the most versatile Viking weapons. The sagas often mention a berserker sweeping his axe across the enemy line, striking a back blow to inspire and demoralize the enemy.

Axes were powerful lethal weapons, as confirmed by a recently reconstructed battle axe found at Langeid in Southern Norway.
Axe Head

Axes were forged from iron, with the head being the most crucial part of the weapon. The axe head was often decorated with inlays of precious metals. Some of the most famous examples include the Mammen axe head, which features a pair of silver and gold inlays that were found in a rich grave in 971 AD. The axe heads themselves were shaped in a variety of ways, though they all typically featured a bearded bottom edge to make them more effective at cutting through wood and thicker materials.

The head of the axe is positioned at one end of the handle, with a small groove where your hand fits on it called the shoulder. The sharp edge that cuts through the wood is known as the bit, and the poll or butt at the other end of the axe is used for hammering tasks like splitting logs. The weight of the axe head affects how much force it can generate, but also how precise it is when swinging.

There are two kinds of axe heads, wedge-fit and slip-fit. Wedge-fit axes feature a slot through the axe head that allows a wedge to be inserted and tightened, which ensures a snug fit. This type of axe is most common in modern production and is not as easy to repair or replace, but it is the best option for chopping or felling large trees.

Slip-fit axes, on the other hand, do not feature a slot or wedge. Instead, they are seated using friction. A ridge runs down the center of the handle, and the head is wedged into it, usually by giving it a couple good whacks with a mallet. This type of axe is more comfortable for hefty and extended use, but it can wear loose over time.

Another variation on the axe head is the double-bit axe. These have two bits, or blades, on the axe head. The sharp side would be used for chopping and felling, while the blunt side could be utilized to split wood. The symmetry of this axe head provides an advantage in balance, but it can be difficult to maintain a sharp edge for both sides.
Axe Handle

The axe handle is one of the most important parts of the axe. It is where all of the power from the arm, shoulder, and upper body goes to contact with the axe head. The handle has to be able to transfer this immense amount of energy without causing serious injury to the hand. This is not a simple task.

The first problem that the axe handle faces is that it must endure extreme forces in several different directions. This is exacerbated by the fact that the axe head and the handle are two very different materials. Steel is extremely hard and dense, while wood is soft, flexible and weak. They are joined at a very narrow juncture and must both resist forces that are pulling on them, pushing on them, and a combination of both.

In addition to this, the axe head often changes direction suddenly and must be caught up in the force of the change. This is where the handle can break, particularly in a thin area near the eye. The eye of the handle is always much thinner than the rest of the handle and therefore more susceptible to these violent stresses.

To solve this problem the haft is often made much thicker in the area just below the eye, and then gradually slims down as it gets closer to the head. This is called a tapered haft. This allows a wedge to be inserted and provides a very strong joint between the head and the handle.

The haft also has to be long enough to allow the axe to be used two handed. This was a very important consideration, and is one of the reasons that smaller axes had shorter hafts while larger axes had longer ones.

Finally, the haft is Viking axe for sale often carved with various motifs. This axe from Mammen has both Christian and pagan motifs. On one side is the rooster Gullinkambi (Old Norse "golden comb"), who like the tree Yggdrasil belongs to pagan mythology, while on the other is a Phoenix which is part of Christian symbolism.
Axe Sheath

Keeping an axe in the correct sheath is vital for protecting the head and ensuring it stays sharp. Most sheaths are made of high quality leather and have a welt to protect the edge. The sheaths are also oiled, making them tough and durable. They are available in a variety of colors and have straps to help secure the sheath on your belt. You can find sheaths for most types of axes, including wood-cutting axes and machetes. Some sheaths come with a belt loop, while others are designed to clip onto the back of your backpack.

When choosing a sheath for your axe, be sure to read the dimensions carefully to ensure it will fit. A badly fitting sheath will allow water and other elements to seep inside the sheath and damage your axe head. Some sheaths are made for a specific size, while others try to be one-size fits all with adjustable straps. A poorly fitting sheath can be very uncomfortable to carry and may damage your axe.

A good sheath will cover most of the axe head, and will have a strap to hold it securely on your belt. It should also have a stud for attaching to the haft and a snap closure stud. The stud will protect the edge of the sheath when not in use, and the snap will keep the sheath securely closed when it is being carried.

The CRKT Berserker Axe Sheath is an excellent sheath for hatchets. It is made of full-grained leather and has a hand-oil finish to prevent it from absorbing water. It doesn’t have a belt loop, but you can attach a small length of paracord to it for extra security.

If you want a more durable and protective sheath, consider buying one that’s handmade. It will be more expensive, but it’ll last longer and be better crafted. You can make your own axe sheath for less money, but it’s important to use high-quality leather and stitching. You should also use a heavy-duty rivet and make sure that the hidden welt is well-formed and strong. You can also use old clothes or cardboard wrapped in leather to create a cheap sheath, but it won’t last as long.
Axe Blade

Axes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some have multiple functions in their design. The small chopping axe, for example, is perfect for campers who want to chop up firewood and other smaller tasks. It sits somewhere between the hatchet and a full-sized felling axe. This means it can be used with either hand, and is easy to take on camping trips.

A large battle axe, on the other hand, tends to have an elongated blade. Often this is designed to look like a sword or spear, which gives the weapon more fighting appeal. The elongated edge of this type of axe also often has a hook on it. These features give the weapon extra fighting power, and allow the axe to be used in ways that swords can’t.

The axe blade is made of steel, which is hardened through a process called tempering. The axe goes through a number of heat treatment steps to achieve this. The first step is called annealing, where the metal is heated to 850 degrees Celsius and cooled slowly. The axe is then normalized, where a wedge shaped piece of alloyed Bohler K460 tool steel is inserted in it. This creates a harder and sharper cutting edge. The axe then undergoes another heating and cooling process to reach its final hardness.

Once the axe is tempered it goes through a further hardening process, which is called quenching. This heats the axe to 800 degrees Celsius again, and the maker’s mark is stamped into it before it is cooled in water. Once the axe is cooled it will be polished and honed, and ready to be fitted with its own handle.

The handle of an axe is usually made from a piece of wood such as hickory, which has great strength. The grain of the hickory follows the length of the shaft, which helps it to be strong. It is also often oiled, to prevent the axe from drying out and becoming hard to grip. This is a simple task, and only requires a small amount of boiled linseed oil.