What is a Viking axe?
A Viking axe was a deadly weapon with few equals in the hands of a Norseman. Specific historical axes used by the Vikings are also known as Danish axes, an early type of polearm. Viking axes are normally made light enough to be thrown and were handcrafted axes with forged axe heads with the edges hardened.
What did the Vikings use to cut wood?
In Viking Age Scandinavia, the axe was the common item used by every farmer. Even the poorest farm must have an axe for cutting and splitting wood, so from childhood, everyone who raised on a farm knew effective ways to use an axe.
What weapons did the common man use in the Vikings?
In contrast the axe was very much the weapon of choice for the common man. The ‘bearded’ axe, also known as the ’skeggøx’ was a type of Viking axe that was thought to have originated in Scandinavia prior to the Viking Age and has been traced back as far as 600 BC.
What is a one handed axe called?
As Axe is derived from the old Norse languages it was probable called an AXE (ox) by the vikings. There was a large variety in viking axe size and shape, but generally one handed axes tended to be very narrow, and have a pretty small blade. This made it able to pierce as well as chop.
What was the Viking axe?
A Viking axe was a deadly weapon with few equals in the hands of a Norseman. Specific historical axes used by the Vikings are also known as Danish axes, an early type of polearm. Viking axes are normally made light enough to be thrown and were handcrafted axes with forged axe heads with the edges hardened.
What is the Viking battle axe?
Authentic Viking Battle Axe. When thinking of authentic Viking axes, most people normally first think of battle axes, and a common image is that of a huge weapon that can only be used by trolls. In reality, Viking battle axes were well balanced, light and fast.
Why was the Viking axe important?
The axe was an important weapon for the Vikings – here’s why. The battle ready Viking axe was an often used weapons wielded by Viking warriors. Also known as a medieval throwing axe, these axes were both easy to create and repair. These weapons were brutally effective and well-suited to the wild but powerful strokes that Vikings utilized ...
How to fix an axe head?
The head of an axe can be fixed to the haft in a number of different ways. One way is to taper both the eye of the axe head and the haft. This will result in the head fitting firmly on the shaft and will prevent it from flying off the end. However the head is attached to the haft, the axe must be able resist both pushing and pulling forces.
Why do axes have a haft?
The haft of an axe were often used for defense to block blows from the enemy. This sometimes resulted in the haft filing as the blow that was deflected broke it in two. To minimize the risk that the haft would break when used to block blows with edged weapons, axe hafts were sometimes wrapped with metal such as iron.
How long was the Viking axe?
The length of the haft (handle) of both types of axes varied. Viking battle axes were normally between one and five feet long (between 30 cm and 1.5 meters). Some axes’ blades were engraved with elaborate designs. Others axes were fitted with a cap at the end of the haft to protect the top from being damaged.
Why do people use axes?
Axes were sometimes used to strike a non-lethal blow by using the axe hammer, the backside of the a xe head. This was done to humiliate an opponent, or in some cases, was used against opponents considered so inferior that they aren’t worthy of a proper blow.
What are some words that describe the Viking axe?
Other Viking era words describing various forms of axe are bryntröll, snaghyrnd öx, and Breið-øx. The latter means broad axe and could conceivably mean any axe with a broad cutting edge.
Where did the word "axe" come from?
As Axe is derived from the old Norse languages it was probable called an AXE ( ox) by the vikings.
Why did Ragnar kill a bear?
But it was not that easy. Ragnar killed a bear and the hound guarding Lagertha’s house to be convinced for marriage.
Why are Viking swords so expensive?
Swords were simply much more expensive than a simple axe requiring much more skill, much more iron and a much higher quality of iron than what you need for making a simple axe (that still is perfectly lethal in combat).
What is the name of the blades that form a sharp cutting tip?
The ax blades whose lower part hung down and formed a sharp cutting tip were called "barða" or "skeggja". If also the upper part was similarly shaped, it was called "snagga".
What did the Vikings say about the sword?
There was an expression among some Vikings that went something like: "The sword to play, but the ax seriously".
When was the Viking sword invented?
The Viking Age or Carolingian-era sword developed in the 8th century from the Merovingian sword (more specifically, the Frankish production of swords in the 6th to 7th century, itself derived from the Roman spatha) and during the 11th to 12th century in turn gave rise to the knightly sword of the Romanesque period.
What is a Viking hand axe?
This Viking hand axe is truly inspired by Viking history. The steel head is sturdy and manages to avoid a lot of the brittleness issues that come with low-quality options. The long handle helps its owners to generate huge amounts of force.
Why do you want a Viking axe?
If you are opting to purchase a Viking axe, it's probably because you love the way that they look and feel! These are truly iconic weapons and tools , so you'll want to find one that really invokes that sense of wonder and total power.
What civilizations used axes?
Axes have been used by countless warriors and civilizations throughout history. No civilization is quite as renowned for its brutal use of the axe, though, than the Vikings. Almost every fierce Viking owned a wood cutting axe that could quickly be called upon as a fearsome weapon. Some axes were also created specifically for war.
How do you know if you like a Viking axe?
One of the biggest factors that will determine whether or not you like your Viking axe is its weight. You need to make sure that you choose a Viking axe that offers you a comfortable weight that strikes the balance between power and dexterity.
What size axe do you need for a Viking?
Choosing a Viking axe is an immensely personal choice, of course, but our recommendation is the Damascus Axe 19″ Long. We adore the handle and we think that it really does manage to capture some of the magic that surrounds the Vikings.
What to do with Dane Axe?
What exactly are you hoping to achieve with your Dane axe? Some people will hope to use it in a practical way to chop wood and help with other outdoor tasks. Other people, though, will simply want a display piece that looks brilliant and captures their love of Viking weaponry.
How long is a Damascus axe?
This stunning Damascus axe truly has a vintage look and it's easy to imagine something similar being held by a fearsome warrior. It is 19-inches long and it has a wide 5-inch edge that can achieve some really powerful blows.
Where is the Viking axe?
The Viking Axe is one of the most important finds from the Viking Age, particularly the one found in a grave in the Danish village of Mammen. This axe was made of iron with silver inlay and adorned in the so-called Mammen style that was popular in the 900s until around 1000. This axe featured designs that represented both Christian ...
What does the Viking axe represent?
The Viking Axe is one of the most well known and appreciated Viking weapons. It is also a popular Viking symbol that’s known to represent bravery, power and strength. If you want to learn more about the Viking Axe symbol, read on to find out the meaning, history, and significance of this Viking symbol.
Why do Vikings wear axes?
In Norse mythology, military apparels always featured an axe because it signifies bravery and power. For the Vikings, the axe was a tool, a weapon and protection from evil spirits.
What is the animal on the axe?
Another side of the axe has an animal figure, believed to be the Phoenix or the rooster who lives in Valhalla called Gullinkambi (Old Norse “golden comb”). In Norse mythology, Gullinkambi is perched on top of the Yggdrasil. Every morning, Gullinkambi wakes the Viking warriors, and it is believed that it will grow at the beginning ...
Why are Viking axes treated with utmost care?
Items with the Viking Axe are treated with utmost care because of what it symbolizes. The Viking Axe in any form is believed to be available only to the brave and strong, who are always prepared to face all obstacles that arise in their path.
Do warriors have more than one axe?
The early axes were easy to make, so most warriors own more than one axe. The old Viking axe also had a single cutting edge with its bottom blade shaped like a hook. This design had a better grip which was useful in battle.
What kind of axe did the Vikings use?
The Vikings used several kinds of axes as tools and weapons, and the most common was the Dane axe (also called the Danish axe).
Why Did the Vikings Use Axes in Battle?
Archaeological evidence confirms that Vikings used several kinds of axes in and out of battle. But why did the Vikings love axes? Why do people still associate Viking warriors with axes more often than swords?
How long were Dane axe handles?
Using centuries-old artwork and the size of the axe heads, The National Museum of Denmark estimates that Dane axes had handles over a meter in length. [1] An axe this long would have to be held with both hands and would be more useful for battle than woodworking.
What is a bearded axe used for?
The Dane axe’s long handle limits its usefulness to fighting, but a bearded axe can be used for woodworking. When gripped high on the handle with the hand behind the axe blade’s “beard,” a bearded axe can scrape or shave wood with precision. In this position, the axe blade functions like a razor blade.
What is the heel of an axe?
Both types of axes have a pronounced, sharp heel, the lower corner of the axe head. The heel can be used as a deadly point in battle or hook over an opponent’s shield when grappling. Grappling was an important part of the Vikings’ fighting style, a kind of martial arts that the people of Norway practice to this day.
How long is a Dane axe?
A Dane axe has a blade that’s about 22 centimeters (8 inches) long and a shaft about a meter (39 inches) long. Despite being a two-handed weapon, Dane axes are relatively light and easy to wield.
Why were axes used as weapons?
The National Museum of Denmark suggests that axes were popular weapons because of the prevalence of woodworking. Perhaps common woodworkers took up their axes as weapons when the need arose, leading to the popularity of axes in battle. After several centuries, the Vikings perfected axes as weapons with the invention of the Dane axe.
What were Viking axes used for?
Some designs, such as the 'dane axe' were longer and wielded in two hands, these were specifically designed for battle, whereas others we're more common axe designs that were used as tools in everyday life which were also used as weapons.
What is a bearded axe?
Any axe where the blade extends some distance below the butt of the axe is technically classed as a bearded axe, in contrast to the Native American tomahawk and earlier Bronze Age and Iron Age axes.
What is the advantage of a bearded axe?
This allows the bearded axe to be wielded easily in one hand and made it a fast and deadly weapon in the hands of a skilled Viking Warrior. Another advantage of this design was that it had the ability to provide protection for the hand of the user when held behind the blade.
What was the most valuable possession of a Viking?
It was only the richer or higher status Vikings who would have been able to afford swords, which were often the most valuable possession of a Viking and would be passed down through the family. In contrast the axe was very much the weapon of choice for the common man.
Where did the bearded axe originate?
The ‘bearded’ axe, also known as the ’skeggøx’ was a type of Viking axe that was thought to have originated in Scandinavia prior to the Viking Age and has been traced back as far as 600 BC. Replicas have been found at Viking historical sites throughout Scandinavia, England and Scotland. Various different types of this axe exist, ...
Why do people use beards on axes?
The beard of the axe could also be used as a hook to grab the weapons of an opponent or to hook a shield and disarm them, opening them up for subsequent strikes.
Why were the Vikings so famous?
The Vikings were famous for being skilled warriors, but the reality is they were much more than just that. They were a resourceful and ingenious people, who adapted to survive in many inhospitable environments and had a huge impact on the formation of modern Europe. They often made use of axes as weapons due to the fact ...
