Viking Battle Axes

There are many different types of axes that Vikings used as weapons and tools. Most of them, however, were simpler in build than those that were designed for combat.

One of them, the axe from Mammen, features motifs that can be interpreted as either Christian or Pagan. The axe also has a distinctive blade design which optimised the weight for manoeuvrability.

Himintelgja

Axes are among the most commonly used weapons in Viking history.Viking axe for sale  This was because swords were quite expensive back then and only rich warriors could afford them. Axes were also easier to use, especially in close combat. They were also smaller and more compact compared to a sword, making them ideal for agile attacks. The axes were often shaped with different cross-sections. Some had a thin and elegant cross-section while others were very thick and wedge shaped.

The Viking axes had a wide variety of designs and sizes. They ranged from a few inches long to up to five feet. One of the most elegant and beautiful examples is the Mammen axe, which was found in Denmark. Its haft and head were decorated with both Christian and pagan motifs and patterns. This is proof that axes were more than just weapons – they were also status symbols.

These axes were often designed with a beard to optimize weight and manoeuvrability. They were also able to inflict serious wounds to the enemy due to their sharp edge and curved shape. The curved shape of the axe head also made it easy to cut through leather armor.

The Viking axe was a common weapon in the Viking age and it is still a popular choice for modern warriors. Whether you want to show off your love for the Norse gods or simply want to take on a challenge, this axe is perfect for you. Its dramatic design and hefty hilt will surely strike fear into your enemies.

Rimmugygr

The axe was the most fearsome weapon that the Vikings had. It could splinter shields, split helmets and tear wide chain-mail shirts. The curved edge concentrated all the force of a blow into a small area, making it difficult for an opponent to block a blow. Axes came in short, medium and large sizes but the most terrifying was the great two-handed axe. A warrior using such a weapon could simply ignore defence and hurl a ferocious attack with no thought of defending himself.

Axes were a common weapon for both hunting and warfare. The Vikings used them to hack opponents at a distance and also for cutting wood. They were very efficient weapons for a people that raided and colonized on a regular basis.

One of the most interesting aspects of a Viking axe is that it often featured motifs and symbols. These were either pagan or Christian. The axe from Mammen for example, features a bird motif that is likely to be either the rooster Gullinkambi or the Phoenix. The rooster belongs to Norse mythology, while the Phoenix is a symbol of resurrection in Christianity.

Another intriguing aspect of a Viking axe is that it was often wrapped. This was probably to reduce the risk that it would break under stress or when parrying an edged weapon. It is mentioned in the sagas that Hrappr Orgumleidason carried an axe with a wrapped shaft, and he used it to cut in half the backbone of Asvardr.

The sagas also mention that sometimes an axe head flew off the haft during a fight. This must have been very discouraging for the warrior who was holding it.

Tjaldsperra

The axe was the weapon of choice for most Vikings. Even the poorest farmer had to carry one for work and combat. While a sword took talent to create, an axe was cheap and easy to use. In fact, the Vikings used axes more than swords because they were cheaper and more effective at close range.

In the Viking Age, axes varied in size and shape. Some had short hafts and a head that could be hidden behind a shield. Others had longer hafts and a wider cutting edge. The latter type of axe was known as a breidox, or broad axe. This axe was used as a battle weapon and could split skulls, according to saga accounts. It was also capable of damaging an enemy’s shield, as described in Eiriks saga rauda chapter 38 and Fostbraedra saga chapter 23.

Axe hafts were often made from wood and were hollowed out with a drift. This process created a strong, lightweight haft. However, some axes were made from metal and were designed to be used as weapons, rather than tools. The axe heads were usually curved to create a larger blade surface. They were also sharp, which meant that the axe was more effective as a weapon.

Some axes had pointed spurs that could be used to hook enemies. Other axes had a rounded “beard” that protected the hand of a user in case of an impact or a fall. These types of axes were used up to 840 AD and are classified as transitional weapons. The blades of these axes were symmetrical and curved outward, but they were still not as thin as those of the breidox.

Svartleggja

Vikings were known as a warlike people and used axes as one of their stock weapons. During their heyday, which stretched from the beginning of the 8th century to the end of the 11th century, Scandinavian foot soldiers and maritime marauders fought using a variety of axes, including specialized throwing axes and bearded axes (named for their trailing lower blade edge that increased cleaving power and could be used to catch an opponent’s shield and pull it down, leaving them vulnerable to a follow-up blow).

There was also a great deal of variation in axe size and shape. However, a common viking battle axe was thin and narrow, making it easier to wield. They tended to have pretty small blades that were capable of both piercing and chopping. They were mainly used for war, not for chopping wood.

Like swords and other weapons, axes were often named. They are mentioned in sagas with names such as Himintelgja (‘heaven-scraper’), Rimmugygr (‘battle-hag’), Tjaldsperra (‘tent-spar’), and Svartleggja (’black-legs; black-hafted’). The latter was probably the quintessential Viking battle axe of the 9th to 10th centuries.

Axes were frequently paired with shields, which gave the warriors added protection against missiles. They were also used to smite opponents from behind. This is seen in the chapter 164 of Brennu-Njals saga, where Gunnar raised his axe above his head to parry a blow from Thorkell. Unfortunately, the axe hammer struck him in the back of the neck and killed him.

Another important weapon that the Vikings used was the seax, a type of halberd. This weapon was used by wealthy men and was often affixed to a leather strap. It was also an effective weapon for close-range combat.

Hel

A Viking axe could be used for a variety of purposes. They were most commonly employed during battles or when chopping wood, but they could also be used for ceremonial purposes. These axes were often quite heavy, and they were held in both hands. The curved shape of the head concentrated all of the force of the blow into a small area, making them deadly weapons.

The Vikings were renowned for their skill in battle, and this is likely to have been mainly due to the fact that they carried axes rather than swords. Swords took a lot of effort to forge, but axes were cheaper and easier to use. They could also reach places that a sword couldn’t, and the curved design of the axes made them very effective weapons against helmets and mail.

There are several different types of viking axes, each with its own distinct features. For example, the helgja had a blade that was longer than its neck, which optimised the weight for more manoeuvrability. It also had a symmetrical curve and a slightly bearded edge. This type of axe was used from the middle ages to the 900s. Another type of axe was the atgeirr, which is generally glossed as a bill or halberd. The weapon is mentioned in Burnt Njal’s Saga, where Gunnar Hamundarson uses it to vault onto his horse. Other examples include the krok-fjodr, spjotshali, and vafinskepta.

The helgja was a powerful and versatile weapon, which is why it became so popular among the Vikings. It was a large and heavy axe, which could be used for both cutting and thrusting. It was often wrapped with iron or other metals to reduce the chance of breaking when parrying edged weapons.