Functional viking axes were a standard battle weapon for the Norsemen as they colonized and raided on a regular basis. Scholar Jan Petersen created an axe typology that organized them based on their head design and intended use.
Like swords, axes could cause both cutting and bludgeon damage. They were often named and given supernatural attributes by the warriors Viking axes who wielded them.
Bearded Axe
The Bearded axe has an axe head that has a long hook-like lower edge, called the “beard”. This design allowed Viking warriors to use their axes as hook weapons and to disarm opponents. The hook also increased the cutting surface of the axe and allowed it to be used as a grappling tool. This type of axe was widely used in Scandinavia during the Viking age and was considered a powerful weapon for close combat.
The shape of the axe head varied over time. The first axes had straight edges with little curve, but later types had a more curved shape. This axe from Mammen displays one of the later curved axe heads. It also features a bird motif, which can be interpreted as either the rooster Gullinkambi or the Phoenix. The rooster is a symbol of Norse mythology, while the Phoenix is a Christian emblem of rebirth.
Axes had a heavy weight distribution that made them more maneuverable than swords in combat. The blade of the axe also extended much further than swords, providing greater cutting surfaces. This gave the axe its power. In some instances, a Viking axe could even break the arm of an opponent. For this reason, axes were preferred over swords in combat.
In woodwork, the long hook design of the axe head was useful for cutting through logs and other thick materials. It also allowed the user to grip the shaft behind the axe head for additional control. The axe could be used to cut shingles or shave planks for a ship. The hook on the axe was also used to create traps and disarm opponents during battle.
The pointed horns at the ends of the axe were kept sharp for offensive use. The horns can create vicious wounds when used for stabbing, and they can be used to pierce the neck of an opponent. The horns can also be hooked over an opponent’s shield, which allows a comrade to attack the unprotected defender. This axe was also used for hunting, as the hook could be used to pull the throat of a deer or other critter.
Dane Axe
The Dane axe was an important innovation that gave Viking warriors speed and maneuverability in combat. The axe was also light enough to wield and did not require as much energy as heavier axes to swing, but it was not as versatile for domestic tasks. Nevertheless, the Dane axe was still an effective weapon and is one of the most popular weapons in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
The axe was named after Denmark’s King Harald I, who was known for his military campaigns in Europe. However, it was also used by the Vikings for hunting and chopping wood. The axe was also often decorated with symbols of power and victory. The axe also has an unusually long handle, which is usually wrapped in leather or fur. This was probably done to prevent the axe from sliding off the hand during use.
Unlike most other viking axes, the Dane axe has a flat back and a sharply pointed head. It is also shorter than a beard axe and can be wielded like a sword. The axe also has an edge that is sharper than a sword blade and can cut through a shield or helmet. Its pronounced heel can also be used as a striking point in battle or to hook over an opponent’s shield during grappling.
Although the Dane axe is usually pictured with a wooden shaft, it was also found with steel and iron ones. The latter were largely used for war. However, they were not as common as the beard axe, which was used for scything and woodworking. The axe was also used by the Vikings to cut ships, carts and houses.
A Dane axe can be used in combination with a long sword to increase its damage output. Alternatively, it can be used with a shield to protect the warrior from blunt force attacks. Nonetheless, the Dane axe is best used for slicing through foes.
There are two types of axe heads found on Danish Viking Age artefacts – Petersen type F and type M. The type M axe was introduced around the 10th century and is similar to other Scandinavian axes. The axes from Naksja, SHM 5237 and Taby, SHM 6126 are examples of this type. Their blades have a rounded middle piece, a projecting butt with a curved or egg-shaped section and a lug that is either projecting or recessed (like in a bow).
Broad Axe
A broad axe, or hewing axe as they were more commonly known, was the axe of choice for squaring logs and planks to be used in timber framing. These axes were used in Europe and North America to create square timbers for wooden ships, log buildings and railroad ties (also known as hewn wood). A good hewing axe could produce a smooth timber in only a few strokes of the axe head. A skilled axe user, at peak physical condition, was capable of producing scores of timbers per day.
The handle of a broad axe was usually made from spruce, with the shaft typically extending out from the head and curved at the base. The axe head was normally shaped like a hook, sometimes known as a beard. The curved hook was useful for a number of purposes in battle, most often to pull an opponents weapon out of their grasp or knock their shield away. The sharp edge of the axe could then be utilized to cut the throat of an opponent.
As a tool the hewing axe was very versatile, with many options available in terms of head and blade shape. For example, the blade on a hewing axe can be either flat on one side (knife grind) or it can be beveled on both sides, this is often referred to as a double bevel axe and produces a scalloped cut. The hewing axe can also be symmetrical or it can have the head and eye on opposite sides of the axe, this means that the axe can be swung from both left and right handed positions.
In general, the head of a hewing axe is usually quite heavy to help with cutting through dense timber. The shaft is often shorter than a felling axe, in order to allow for an easier swing. A special order option is also available which is an axe that can be ground on either side of the blade.
The hewing axe from Gransfors Bruks has a traditional design and is suitable for both hewing and chopping. The blade is hardened using a process of heat, borax and cold work. First the blade is chiseled from a piece of mild low carbon steel. A notch is carved out of one end of the axe and a wedge shaped piece of alloyed Bohler K460 tool steel is inserted into this notch to form a harder, sharper cutting edge. The axe is then heated to a dark yellow color and borax is sprinkled over the surface of the axe. When cooled the axe is polished to remove any remaining oxidation.
Seax
Vikings used knives for everything from hunting and dressing an animal to chopping wood and fighting in close combat. They even specialised in different kinds of knives, some of which were designed for specific tasks while others were multipurpose. For example, the seax was a versatile weapon that could be used for both axe and sword-like cutting. It was a long and heavy knife but small enough to be wielded in one hand. This design was optimised for manoeuvrability and allowed for a longer cutting edge. It was also very fast to use as it required less wrist action. This made it a great weapon for attacking at short range.
Seaxes were a popular choice among Viking warriors, as they were cheaper to forge than swords and just as effective. These weapons were primarily used by the commoners in battle, while the nobility preferred the axe for its cutting capabilities. In battle, a seax could serve as a sidearm or a backup if the warrior’s sword or axe broke.
Because the seaxes were so fast, they were also good for closing the distance between the warrior and his opponent. This was especially useful if the opponent wore chainmail, as a seax strike could cut through it with relative ease. However, it was important that the warrior remained confident and aggressive when using a seax as it can be a very intimidating weapon.
The haft of a seax was typically made from wood or bone and was wrapped in leather for a secure grip all along the length of the axe’s haft. This helped to make the axe both light and durable, and also provided an aesthetic element to the weapon. Vikings also liked to add designs like knotwork or runic symbols to their axes for a unique look.
A seax was a versatile and deadly weapon that the Vikings were proud of. Although it was a secondary weapon, many reenactors agree that a skilled warrior with a seax and a shield can kill anyone in a close-quarters fight. It just requires speed, confidence and aggression to pull it off!
