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What Were Viking Axes Made Of?

Axes were a common tool for Scandinavian people during the Viking era. They were used in both battlegrounds and at home.

The blades of these axes were made of iron or steel. They were often used for chopping wood and some were specifically designed for throwing. Axes were also a status symbol for the Vikings.
Steel

Axes were one of the most popular hand weapons among Viking warriors. They were used to cut and split wood, as well as for combat. They were also useful for building houses, ships, and carts.

The axe was made of iron or bronze and was forged by hand. The blade was shaped and hammered to create a sharp cutting edge. In some cases, a hardened steel edge was welded on the edge to give it a better edge.

Battle axes were much longer than farm axes, and often had a wide blade and heavy head. They were also lighter than the everyday hand axe. Using a long axe meant that the Viking warrior could hack at their enemy from a greater distance than they could with a hand axe.

They were usually between three and five feet (0.9 meters and 1.5 meters) in length. They were heavier than farm axes but were easier to swing and manipulate in a fight.

Some Viking axes were designed with two heads, which allowed the wielder to use one side for defense and the other for offense. Whether this was done for tactical purposes or because it looked cool is not clear.

There are also a few types of Viking axes that have a curved haft (handle). These were used to deflect blows. The curved haft allows for a good transfer of power from the hand to the edge of the blade.

Most axes that were found in archaeological excavations had single sided axe heads. However, there are a few double sided axes that have been found. These axes are sometimes called cross axes because they have a cross design in the head.
Wood

Wood was one of the most common materials used in axes and many of them were made from a single piece. Axe heads were also often made from a single piece. Some axe heads were welded together while others were made by splitting the blade at the back to create a cross section that formed a Y shape. The Y would then be wrapped around to form the eye, which is where a haft was welded onto it for the blade.

Viking axes were used for both combat and woodcutting, so they had a wide variety of blade thicknesses and sizes. Some of these were quite thick and had a wide cutting surface, while others were thin and had a more limited cutting capacity.

The blades of Viking axes were made from hardwood and some of them were even treated to improve their hardness. This process is called heat treating and involves heating the metal at very high temperatures before cooling it down, this helps to increase its hardness and reduces its brittleness.

Some axes were also forged from a single piece which was then shaped and hammered into a finished product. These axes were extremely effective and were considered the best weapons for warfare by Vikings.

Axe hafts were often wrapped with leather or string to make them more comfortable to hold. They were easy to hide under a cloak and could be used to surprise an opponent in battle, or as a weapon for a back up to a spear.

A few axes have been found with partial solid heads that are decorated with crosses, which was likely part of a religious ceremony. Some axes have been carved with a bird motif which was either the rooster Gullinkambi, the bird associated with Old Norse mythology, or the phoenix, an animal symbol of rebirth from Christian mythology.
Antler

The head of the axe (oxarhyrna) could be made of either wood or antler. Antler is stronger than bone, so it was used for jobs where extra strength was needed, such as combs that might break if made from a more fragile material.

Antler was sourced from red deer or moose in more northerly latitudes. It was either taken from animals killed during hunting or collected after the animal had shed its antlers naturally in February and March.

Axe heads were usually 7 to 15cm (3-6in) long. They were designed to be used for cutting, stabbing or slashing attacks. Axes often had pointed “horns” at each end, which were kept sharp so they could be used as deadly weapons.

The horns were much larger than spear points and sword points, so they could create devastating wounds when thrown or slashed at. They also widened more than the point of a spear or sword, so they were able to kill by striking directly.

One way to use the axe head was to hook it over other parts of the body, such as the neck or armpit (right), which could compel a person to move in a direction they did not want to go. This is a technique described in chapter 22 of Sturlu saga.

Another way to use the axe was to hook it over the edge of a shield, pulling it away for an attack or to disarm it. This technique is illustrated in the Viking combat demo video, part of a longer fight.

Axe hafts were sometimes wrapped with iron to reduce the risk of them breaking when they were used for defense or when stressed during battle. This method is illustrated in the sagas, such as Brennu-Njals saga, where Hrappr Orgumleidason carried an axe with a wrapped shaft (vafinskepta).
Bone

The most common types of axes were used for wood cutting and as weapons. They were usually made of iron and were attached to a handle, also called a haft. During battle, they were often held in one hand and used with a shield.

The blade thickness of axes varied, but all Viking axes were very sharp. They were very effective and a single axe could kill a man in one blow. The edge of the blade slid under the enemy’s skin and could cut through bone, making it difficult for them to resist.

Axe hafts were also made of iron or bronze and they were often Viking axe for sale
wrapped to protect them from breakage. The curve of the haft was intended to maximize power transfer from the wielder’s limbs to the edge. This helped the Viking keep the axe head from breaking as he blocked a blow with the haft.

Another type of axe was the bearded axe, which was a more versatile weapon that could be used in combat and as a wood cutter. The square-shaped projection at the bottom of the axe head was called “beard.” This design allowed for the blade to hook an opponent’s leg or shield, giving it a great advantage during battle.

Some Viking axes were decorated with symbols and images from mythology. A long-bladed axe found in a rich chamber-grave in Mammen, Denmark, for example, has a rooster motif on one side and a bird motif on the other. The rooster is a symbol of Yggdrasil, the tree of life in Norse mythology. The bird on the other side is a Phoenix, a symbol of rebirth in Christian mythology.
Metal

Vikings had a variety of weapons, but the axe was their most common weapon and a staple of everyday life. Aside from being useful for fighting, they were also a great tool for chopping down trees and other woods for food and shelter.

Throughout the Viking age, different types of axes were made with varying blade thickness and size. Some were designed for heavy duty use such as woodcutting, while others were used more for battle and were made with lighter weights. These axes were less likely to be injured or broken in combat because they were lighter and more maneuverable.

The blade of a Viking axe could be made from many different materials such as wrought iron, steel, or bronze. Depending on the style of blade the blacksmith could choose to either make it a one-sided axe or double sided, which would increase its durability and strength.

Some axes were decorated with runes or other Norse motifs to add to their magic. These axes could be decorated with an acid etching or a more traditional engraving method.

A Viking axe was usually held in the hand and used for cutting, but it could also be hooked over other body parts to compel the opponent to move in the direction that the axe pointed. The axe can also be hooked around the edge of a shield to pull it away for an attack or disarm.

The axe handle was typically made from wood such as ash or beech wood which is a strong but flexible timber that could easily be bent to make a handle for the axe. A sheath was often made from leather which would have been stitched or pinned together to encompass the axe head and handle.