The axe head was often made viking axes for sale from a single piece of thick, wedge-shaped iron. This was folded over the eye to form a solid piece.
Axes were used for a wide variety of tasks, from cutting and splitting wood to fighting. They were also objects of prestige and status, with axeheads being ornately decorated.
The Axe Head
The axe head was one of the most important elements of a Viking axe. It was used for many things, from carving and splitting wood to using in battle against opponents. It was also one of the more dangerous weapons as it could be smashed into smaller pieces when hit.
A viking axe head was typically made from thick, wedge shaped iron and was single edged. This design meant that there was no need for any other metal work on the axe head and it was much easier to make than swords as there was far less iron to handle.
Some axe heads (notably a 'bearded' axe head from Gotland) were made from a single piece of iron, with the eye, the hole for the haft, punched out with a drift. Other axe heads (such as the 'wedge' axe head from Fostbraedra saga chapter 23) were made by folding the metal around the eye and then welded into a solid piece.
In this way the axe head was very durable, and would have been capable of withstanding many blows from a skilled warrior. This would have meant that a skilled axe user could tear the shields of their enemies like paper, and was therefore very dangerous in close combat.
Nevertheless, it is not always easy to identify which type of axe head a specific Viking axe had. A good starting point is to use Petersen's typology, which has been the standard tool for identifying Viking axes since it was first published in 1919.
This typology divides axe heads into twelve types and has become the main tool for identification. While these types are not the only ones, they represent the most common axes found in Viking art and literature.
These types were often decorated with 'ringerike' ornament in gold, and these ornaments are still recognizable today. The 'ringerike' was used to decorate the inside of the blade and could be incised in a variety of ways.
The 'ringerike' was very often combined with other decoration, for example silver wire inlay, which was often in a scroll or linear pattern. Some axes were decorated with other kinds of ornament, such as knotwork or spiral patterns.
Axes with this kind of decorative 'ringerike' are most common in Northern Europe, particularly Norway and Denmark, where it is believed that these were a more popular form of decoration than other types. The 'ringerike' is also frequently seen on the axe heads of swords from this time period.
Alternatively, some axes had no 'ringerike' at all. These are primarily axes that were not 'wedge' axes and were more 'battle' axes or poled axes, as these have more of a cutting edge than a hammering point on the bottom of the axe head.
Several Viking axes have been found with wooden or metal wedges fixed to them, including a number of 'wedge' axes from Lough Corrib and a Petersen type M axe from Ballinderry Crannog. There is even evidence for metal spikes on some axes, such as the 'wedge' axe from Lednica. These spikes are not very secure and are prone to breaking, but they can be very useful for gripping the head.
The Axe Handle
If you were to examine an ancient axe, it is easy to see that the handle was not just an ordinary piece of wood. It had to be designed to maximize the power transfer to the head of the axe from the arm, shoulder and upper body. In particular, the haft had to be wrapped in a way that would allow it to bend at the head so that it could jump into the hand when the user wanted to use it as a weapon.
Vikings fought in close quarters, and often used their axes for attacks on enemies that were too far away to be hit with a spear. This was especially true when fighting in a village or monastic enclosure, or during raids on villages and towns.
The handle was made from a material such as wood or elm, which was hard and sturdy enough to withstand heavy use. Traditionally, axe handles were sheathed with leather for added protection.
Today, axe heads are often heat treated and tempered to increase their hardness and reduce their brittleness. These processes also improve the edge retention of the axe, making it less likely that the blade will dull over time.
There are a few ways that a head can be secured to an axe handle, and the most common is friction fit or wedge. The basic idea is that the head fits into a slot or kerf on the axe handle, and then a wedge is hammered into the kerf to hold it in place. If the wedge begins to loosen, it can be pounded into new one until it holds in place again.
This process is not as difficult as you might think, and is relatively simple. First, you must select a piece of wood that will work well for your project. Maple or ash are two excellent choices. Then, you can use a saw to cut the wood into the desired shape.
Next, you can carve out the handle with a carving knife or chisel. You can also sand down the handle to make it smooth.
Lastly, you can add decorative details to your Viking axe handle. These can include carvings, or you can add an engraving. For example, if you want to have your name or date engraved on the handle, it can be done easily.
A good way to take care of your axe handle is to oil it regularly with boiled linseed oil. This will help to protect the handle from the elements, and also make it easier to clean.
It is important to make sure that your axe handle is free from any dirt and grime before cleaning it. It is also a good idea to keep it dry to prevent moisture from affecting the finish. The best way to achieve this is to apply a thin layer of oil to the surface of the handle before you clean it, and then to wipe it down with a soft cloth afterward.
The Axe Shaft
Viking axes were made using different methods than modern day axes due to a number of factors including the availability of materials and tools. Most axes during the Viking age were made from Iron, although a few were also made from bronze. However historians are not sure why these materials would have been chosen, especially when there were better alternatives available to the people of the time.
The axe shaft was typically forged and shaped as a single piece, but was sometimes punched out with a drift to form an eye or hole for the handle. There were some axe heads that had the haft welded to them, but these were much rarer than those that had a single piece.
Axes were often thrown into battle, and even small ones were sometimes used for surprise attacks, like the one described in chapter 22 of Sturlu saga (right), where Thormodur hid his axe under his cloak, and pulled it out to hit Lodinn in the head. The axe was then removed from his body, and the fight ended with Lodinn dead.
Many axes were secured to the shaft with metal wedges, as can be seen from this example from Harup, Denmark. This method of securing the shaft is similar to the ones used on modern replica axes, but there are some differences.
Generally, modern replica axes use a friction fit to secure the head to the handle. This is very easy to do and it ensures that the axe can be easily disassembled, if required. But this does not mean that the axe will be easy to reattach. For those who want to use their axes regularly, it may be more practical to purchase a traditional style axe that comes with a wedge.
The handle of a traditional style axe was made from wood, but it is usually treated to ensure it can hold up to the abuse that it is subjected to in the field. This means that it needs to be oiled from time to time with boiled linseed oil or mineral oil.
There are some modern axes on the market that are suitable for use as a battle axe, but they don’t have the same level of durability and strength as a traditional style axe. For this reason, some people choose to purchase a reproduction axe with a longer handle and haft, like the axes shown to the left.
These axes are well balanced and can be used by both hands, whereas an axe with a shorter haft can only be used by one hand. These axes are perfect for throwing and hitting, but they will not be very useful for chopping or splitting firewood.
If you are a fan of the Vikings and are looking for an axe that is durable, sturdy and has an authentic look then consider purchasing a traditional style axe from Condor Tool. Their Valhalla Viking Axe offers a great value for those who are looking to buy a Viking-style axe at an affordable price. It has a 30” American Hickory handle, an extra broad cutting edge, hooking beard, and up-swept thrusting horn. The axe is a good choice for historical re-enactments, medieval battles, and training.
