Few weapons are as recognizable as the axe, used by Vikings both in battle and on their raids across Europe. Axes also feature prominently in their funerary customs and mythology. Axes required less iron and steel than swords, which made them cheaper to produce. They also provided their owners with a devastating weapon that could cleave heads and break helmets and mail in a single blow.

The Bearded Axe

Viking axe have a reputation of being offensive weapons but with the right training they can be just as effective at defense as anything else. This axe from Columbia River Knife & Tool shows this to be true. With the off-hand near the butt of the haft and the dominant hand closer to the head, this axe allows for quick strikes to stop or deflect an oncoming blow.

This axe's blade widens towards the edge, similar to the pattern of a bear's beard, extending the cutting surface and also decreasing the head's weight. This design allowed a Viking warrior to use the hook on the lower portion of the blade during battles to pull a sword or shield from a defender's grip, or even trap it in an opening for a kill. This axe is ready for your wooden haft and would make a great addition to any Norse warrior collection or for reenactment events. It has been forged from 80CrV2 steel and tempered for toughness.

The Danish Axe

The Danish axe is a deadly two-handed weapon that was used in raids and in battle. It had a long shaft, was wielded with both hands and was capable of cleaving heads in one blow. It was used by housecarls, the retainers of Viking kings and nobles. Its name is derived from the town of Mammen in Denmark where an ornate example was found with silver inlay. Axes of this type emerged during the late Viking Age and continued into the High Medieval period. They were classified by Petersen as Type M and may have evolved from earlier types like F, G, and H.

Epic Armoury’s Dane Axe is a handcrafted LARP weapon made from durable closed foam with a hardened core and a wooden textured shaft which is handpainted to look like real wood grain. It comes with a blunt axe head riveted to the shaft. The axehead can be trimmed to adjust the length and the handle grip can be wrapped with leather or cord.

The Francisca Axe

The Francisca or Francesca throwing axe is a light, short axe designed for throwing. It has a narrow head that widens out near the cutting edge and is friction fitted to a short, curved haft. The axe is a very effective weapon for breaking shields and disrupting the enemy line during close-range combat. Although no longer used in battle, these axes continue to be popular for use in axe and hawk throwing competitions. They have the graceful lines of the originals but are also perfectly suited for today’s demanding contests.

This axe is forged from 1060 carbon steel and is mounted to a burnt American Hickory handle. It is an excellent throwing axe for those who like to practice or compete in this sport and includes a handcrafted leather sheath. As with all axes, it is important to take proper safety precautions when using this weapon. It can cause serious injuries if thrown improperly and should never be thrown against living trees or soil.

The Mammen Axe

This small axe is based on an original from a male grave in Mammen, Denmark that dates to 970-71 AD. It features silver inlaid decoration. It could have been a throwing axe, a utilitarian tool, or a ceremonial weapon to show off the wealth and status of its owner. The curved shape of the Viking axes head concentrates force into a small area, so it can punch through mail and helmets. The sagas describe clever moves using an axe like this, such as hooking an opponent’s shield (right) to drag it away for a stab or to disarm them.

The design on the head has a clear tree motif that can be interpreted as either the Christian Tree of Life or the pagan World Ash Tree Yggdrasil from Norse mythology. The other side depicts a bird style image, which might be either the Phoenix of Christianity or Gullinkambi the rooster that sits on top of Yggdrasil and wakes the Einherjer in Valhalla every day before Ragnarok.

Conclusion

Axes were everyday tools of Viking age Scandinavia. They were also effective weapons in battles. Axes had short hafts so they could be hidden behind shields (a trick used by Thorgeirr in Hardar saga rauda chapter 12). They were light so they were easier to throw. They could be used in long distance combat or face-to-face battle.