Viking Swords and Axes

The axe was one of the most fearsome weapons used by Vikings. It was able to cleave heads and bodies in one blow.

It was also a versatile weapon. It was often used in conjunction with a shield.
Axes

During the Viking Age, axes were used as a weapon in battle. They were often carried by viking axe for sale common warriors who could not afford a sword. Axes were lighter than swords and they also had a wide cutting edge that was effective in inflicting serious wounds on an opponent.

Axes were typically made from wood, and they came in a variety of shapes and sizes. They were used for many different tasks, such as chopping wood to build boats and houses or cutting down trees for building materials.

Some axes were designed for specific purposes, such as throwing axes. They were lighter and easier to throw than other weapons, so they could be thrown by an untrained warrior in the heat of combat.

Another type of axe was used as a shield. This was especially common in Scandinavia, where shields were often made from linden wood. The linden tree is known for being a hard and durable timber that was strong enough to resist the attacks of spears, swords, and axes.

Vikings used their axes for defense, but they also had a wide variety of weapons to choose from in battle. A skilled warrior could tear a shield apart and use the axe blade to inflict serious wounds on an enemy.

Some axes were also shaped like knives, enabling them to cut through leather armour. They were often slung over the shoulder with the handle on top. This was a useful technique in close quarters combat, where the axe blade could cut through an opponent\'s armour without damaging his hand.

Moreover, the blades were often sharpened and had pointed "horns" at each end of the head (oxarhyrna). These horns are more flexible than spear points or sword points, so they can create more devastating wounds when stabbing an opponent.

Axes are an important part of the Viking weaponry collection at Darksword Armory. We offer a range of replica axes that are hand-forged to feel, handle, and perform as the originals.

Our selection of axes includes both the traditional axes used in Viking battle and models that have been based on archaeological finds from Norway, Sweden, and Central Europe. The latter models are not forged to serve a distinct purpose in modern times, but rather to display the historical traditions of axe forging in these regions.
Swords

A viking sword was a fearsome weapon that symbolized power and prestige during medieval times. They were also highly prized heirlooms, used for generations by family members.

Viking swords were often decorated with inlaid metals and wire. They had curved or straight guards and were made from pattern welded steel. Some blades were single edged long seax while others were double edged.

Swords were typically forged of iron and tempered for strength and durability, but they could also be made from other lumps of metal. Smiths would take different types of iron from a smelt and use patterns to shape it, forming the perfect blade.

They were usually from one to five feet in length and were used primarily for battle. They were a heavy, two-handed weapon that needed physical strength to use. They were also often used to cut through leather armour and inflict serious wounds.

Dane axes had a thin blade profile and a large cutting edge that was ideal for wood-cutting, but they were also used to deliver crushing blows against an enemy. They were also strong enough to be used to scale walls, much like an ice axe.

Unlike spears and swords, which can be wielded with only one hand, Viking axes had to be held with both hands. The horns at each end of the head (oxarhyrna) were kept sharp so that they could be driven into an opponent\'s throat to kill them.

The haft of the axe was sometimes wrapped in the same manner that an arrow was, to maximize transfer of energy to the edge. A bend near the head was also a design feature that allowed the axe to be used as an extension of the arm, so it was not just a straight blade.

Scabbards were made out of leather or fabric, and sometimes wood. They were typically wrapped with fleece, since wool had natural oils that protected it from rusting.

A Viking scabbard could also be wrapped with cloth, to protect the blade from damage while not in use. This was particularly important if the blade was to be carried for long periods of time.
Shields

When Vikings fought, they often used a shield as their main weapon. Shields were often carved with stylized images or horned animal heads. In addition to their decorative purposes, shields were used as symbols of Viking warrior identity.

There were many different kinds of shields, but the most common were round. They were made of wood, usually spruce or fir. They were also often covered with leather.

The leather was either dyed or painted with colorful paints or patterns. Some shields were decorated with iron, silver, and bronze fittings or metal buttons that resembled battle axe symbols.

Some shields were painted with a black background. Others were carved with images of a wolf head.

Shields were primarily made from wood, though some were also constructed from metal or stone. They were also often covered in animal skin, which increased their durability and decreased the likelihood of splitting or cracking when struck with arrows, axes, or swords.

They were typically round, although some were oval-shaped. They had a bowl-shaped \'boss\' at the center that provided protection for the warrior\'s hand, which gripped the shield directly behind it with a single grip.

A ring of leather wrapped around the shield\'s rim was secured by tacks. An iron boss was sometimes attached to the front of the shield, as well.

As with axes, the rim of a Viking shield was often used to parry an attack or to deflect it away from the bearer\'s head and body. This redistribution of force allowed the bearer to absorb a great deal of impact and reduce the likelihood of serious injury.

In some cases, a shield was used to encircle an opponent and bind them until they were killed or subdued. This was often done in conjunction with a shield wall, as described in chapter 89 of the Brennu-Njals saga.

It is also possible that a Viking might throw his shield, especially in a combat situation where he needed to protect himself from an attack by an opponent. This move is often seen in the story of Tjorvi and Skarphedinn, where Tjorvi flung his shield at Skarphedin\'s feet while he glided across the frozen river.
Spearheads

Spearheads were one of the most popular weapons in Viking times. They were cheap and easy to make, and could be used for hunting or fighting. They were also often thrown during combat, which allowed a person to reach their target more easily.

Most Viking spears consisted of a wooden shaft and an iron blade that was attached to the end. Some of the best spears were highly decorated with rings of twisted silver. These spearheads were produced by smiths with expert knowledge of metallurgy and they would have been difficult to break.

The blades of these spearheads were made from a combination of low carbon iron and hardened carbon steel. They were forged in an environment where the carbon steel was smelted and heated with a furnace that used hot air. This gave the blades a unique texture that was very similar to a sword blade, and made them much harder to break than an ordinary spear.

Some spearheads were fashioned to be decorative as well as functional, and this is often seen in the work of smiths from the Nordic regions. For example, some spearheads have an inner core and socket made from low carbon iron with a chevron of darker phosphoric iron between them. This chevron creates the appearance of a cross and it is believed that they may have been used for ceremonial purposes such as offering.

Many of these spearheads were also shaped to include wings that extend from the socket of the blade. These wings are a defensive feature, designed to widen the socket and prevent the spearhead from penetrating the body of an opponent or an animal. Wings were also commonly used to increase the length of a spear head, which made them more effective for hunting and fighting.

In addition to this, the blades of these spearheads were decorated with fishbone patterns that can be seen on the ends of the spear blades. These decorations were typically used on spearheads that had been imported from Frankish regions.

Most of these spearheads were found in Scandinavia, although some have been found in England. They range from small, single-handed spears to large, double-handed spears. Some of these spearheads have a long, pointed blade that was often used for thrusting or stabbing. Others were smaller and more versatile.