Viking Axes Types

In the early Viking period there were several different types of axes which were used for both farming and fighting. Some were more lightweight so they could be handled and thrown and others were heavier to inflict serious damage on the enemy during combat.

Historically, most axes were single sided, but some have been found with double sided blades. This is considered a fantasy design by Viking axe historians, so we will focus on making single sided axes in this article.
Dane Axe

The Dane Axe is a long axe with a thin head and a hardened edge. It is a popular weapon amongst Viking warriors and it was often used in battle as the main weapon rather than a shield.

These axes were very large and strong, with shaft lengths as long as six feet and a blade that could be twelve inches wide. They were also lightweight, making them easy to swing.

During the 10th century, the Dane Axe became popular throughout Europe. Its blade was forged to a sharp, hard edge, which made it more durable and more effective than other weapons of its time.

The Dane Axe also had a very thin head, so that it was easier to maneuver. This meant that they were more useful in hand-to-hand combat than the larger axes of their time, such as the Mammen Axe or the Bearded Axe.

Another advantage of these axes was their long handles, which allowed the user to swing them with more speed. This was especially helpful in battle as it gave the user a better chance of hitting their target with each swing.

These axes were also very common in the UK and Ireland, where they were widely used by both sides of the battle field. In fact, it is said that Harold\'s bodyguards were using Dane Axes during the Battle of Hastings.

Dane Axes are one of the most famous viking axes, and many people still carry them today. They are often used as a main weapon, especially during scouting missions where they can be useful in breaking down shield-walls and catching enemies off guard.

They are also extremely useful during combat, as their long reach can be very effective at bringing down weaker opponents or catching them off-guard. They are also good for gaining a large distance on an enemy before launching a slashing attack, which can be very deadly in a melee situation.

The Dane Axe is a great weapon to have in your arsenal, whether you are a scout or a warlord. It can be a very versatile weapon and it\'s stats are pretty great, especially when you use the best runes.
Bearded Axe

The Bearded Axe, or Skeggox (from Old Norse skegg, beard + ox, axe), was the most common type of Viking weapon, used as a tool and as a weapon, as far back as the 6th century AD. Its lower portion, or “beard”, extends below the width of the butt, providing a wide cutting surface while keeping the overall mass of the axe low.

A bearded axe was useful in battle, too, as it had a hook that could attach to weapons and shields to pull them out of the defender’s grip. It was also used to carve or plan wooden structures.

When choosing an axe, there are a few things to consider: size, weight, and handle material. Small and compact axes are better for throwing, while large and long axes are best for wood chopping.

Most axes have handles made of wood or metal. The best handle material is a wooden one, since it offers an overall better look and feel than other materials. However, some people prefer to use a reinforced plastic or metal handle as well.

Another consideration is blade length, which will depend on what you want the axe to do. A long axe will have more cutting edge than a short one, which is important for both carving and wood chopping.

A shorter axe, on the other hand, will have less cutting edge than a longer one, which will be more suitable for splitting and bludgeoning static objects. A smaller axe, on the other hand, will be more suitable for carving and planing wood, as it can be more accurate to apply force.

The axe head was often carved with patterns, like this bearded axe. Patterns were important in Viking history because they reflected the culture and traditions of the people who had made them. They could represent gods, animals, or other themes.

They could even be engraved with images that portrayed specific battles or events. For example, a bearded axe with a dragon pattern would have been associated with Viking warriors in battle.

A bearded axe could have been used to cleave the skulls of foes, which can be useful in battles. It could also be used to pry open containers, cut ropes, and much more. This axe is one of the basic kinds of viking weapons that Eivor will be able to acquire and use in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, allowing her to perform many different feats in the game.
Mammen Axe

The axe was a staple weapon in the Viking armies, as it was simple and easy to carry. It was also extremely versatile and could be used for many different things, including cutting wood. It was also very dangerous, and skilled warriors would tear the shields of their enemies like paper.

Some axes were made of hardened steel welded to the iron head, which permitted them to hold a much sharper edge. The Mammen silver-inlaid axe is a good example of this type.

Axes were commonly engraved with motifs, both Christian and pagan in nature. One side of the Mammen axe features an intricate pattern of tendrils, which may either be depicted as the tree of life (Christian) or the world ash tree (Norse mythology) Yggdrasil. The other side shows an interlaced, bird-like creature that is thought to represent a phoenix (in reference to Christ\'s resurrection) or Gullinkambi, the rooster who perches atop Yggdrasil and wakes the Einherjer in Valhalla every day.

It is difficult to determine whether the axe head on the Mammen axe was originally decorated in a Christian or pagan style, but it seems that it was both. This axe was found in a rich burial site in Mammen, Denmark. The rich purple and red clothing and other costly furnishing found in the gravesite suggest that the man buried there may have been a magnate, and that he was part of King Harald Bluetooth\'s circle of advisors.

This axe head is beautifully decorated with inlays of silver and gold. It was likely a ceremonial axe, and it is believed that the man buried there held both a Christian and a pagan belief system.

The axe head is slightly corroded and the haft has been removed, but it still shows beautiful details. The axe has an elegant design that is easy to identify as being of a very high quality and it is very well-made.

This axe is not for sale in the shop of Wild Ones. If you are interested in purchasing this item, please contact us for more information.
Type B Axe

The axe was a common tool in a Viking’s daily life and became an important weapon during wartime. They were inexpensive and easily accessible to all members of the tribe, even the lower status individuals. Swords were the preferred weapons of wealthier warriors and were passed down through families. Nevertheless, many of the less skilled Vikings would carry along their trusty axes during raiding expeditions to use in battle.

Axes were forged very thin and often included a reinforced bit of harder steel near the edge to provide a sharper blade. They were excellent for chopping, splitting, and slicing through wood.

They were also quite effective in throwing and for striking enemies, such as those with shields. A skilled warrior could tear a shield down like paper and take down their opponent in close combat.

In addition to their use as weapons, Vikings used their axes for everyday activities such as building houses and cutting down trees. They also used them for hunting and fishing, a vital aspect of their livelihood.

Most axes are undecorated, but some can be highly ornate. Some axes are inlaid with ornaments (such as the Mammen example shown to the right), while others were decorated with silver knobs on the haft or handle (like the one given to Sneglu-Halli; see chapter 10 of Sneglu-Halla thattr).

As with swords, axes were put to graves alongside other types of weapons and riding equipment. For example, two Gotlandic axes of Petersen type M were put to graves with men wearing lamellar armours (Snackgarde, SHM 484, see this article).

Another interesting technique for decorating axes is bending the haft near the head so that it helps to transfer power from the hand and shoulder to the contact point of the axe’s edge. This bend is referred to as the ‘haft wrap’ and can be seen on a reproduction axe head (to the left) and on a historical axe head (to the right).

There are a variety of different types of axes, which are classified according to their head shape, intended use, and time period. Jan Petersen was the first to create a typology for Viking axes, which remains in use by many scholars today.