Viking Axes

There are many Viking axes types of axes used during the Viking era. They are used both for hunting and fighting.

In the Viking age, axes were essential tools to have on hand. They were also a status symbol and were often made in a decorative manner.
Axes were used in warfare

Vikings used many weapons during their raids and battles, but the axe was their weapon of choice. Its long shaft and sharp edge made it a deadly weapon that could cleave a head at a single blow, a fact that can be seen in the Icelandic sagas.

The axe was a vital tool for Viking warriors as they fought their enemies on land, sea and in the air throughout Northern Europe during the eight and ninth centuries. They were a formidable force, and with their axes, they were able to conquer lands and settle in places that had never been settled before.

Various types of axes were used during this time, including the common breid-ox (broad axe) and the smaller dandelion-ox (truncheon axe). Axes varied in size, but all had blades that cut at the point where the haft met the head. The axe blade was sharpened so that it could cut through wood and softer materials such as cloth and hide.

Axes were typically made from iron, but sometimes they were forged out of stone. These axes were especially useful during the Viking age because they could be carved into different shapes, including swords and bows.

There were also a number of different styles of axe heads that could be found in the Viking era. Some axeheads were very thin and delicate, while others had thicker, more wedge-shaped edges that were meant for splitting wood.

Some axeheads were very large, and they could be very heavy. These axes were often used by elite fighters in battle, as they had the power to cut through heavy armored opponents.

Other axeheads were very thick, and they had the ability to split skulls and other soft bodies. These axeheads were particularly used for beheadings, and they gradually replaced the sword in popularity.

Another type of axe head was the bearded axe, which had a unique design that proved to be very effective. The bearded axe was known as the skeggox, and it had a very distinct blade shape that was very effective for cutting through the skin of an enemy.
Axes were used for defense

Vikings used axes for many different tasks, but one of the most important was for defense. This was especially true in the early Viking age when most Vikings did not have their own sword or spear made for battle. They instead had a simple farm axe, which was often enough to kill enemies with a single blow.

The axe was not only cheap, but also easy to use, which is why it was such an essential part of life in the Viking age. Unlike swords and spears, which require much training and a lot of expertise to make, an axe was simple to handle and was always there when needed.

An axe could be used for chopping wood, splitting firewood, and even carving weapons. It could be a very useful tool, especially for the poorest of farmers and woodcutters.

In addition to chopping, an axe was also very effective in dismembering armored limbs and cracking shields and helmets. In fact, the axe was so deadly that a skilled warrior could turn a shield into splinters with a single blow!

As for the axe's head, it was designed to be strong but thin, which meant that it was easily controlled and quick to hit. It was made of iron and was curved near the head to maximize its transfer of force to the edge. This curve helped the axe be balanced in the hand, which was critical for its use as a weapon.

Axe heads were very versatile, and there was a wide variety of designs available. Some were narrow and slender, like the ones to the left (a reproduction is shown in the middle), while others were thicker and wedge shaped.

These axe heads were generally 7 to 15cm (3-6in) long, but later in the Viking age they became much larger. Some were breid-ox, which had crescent shaped edges 22 to 45cm (9-18in) long.

Axes were very common in the Viking age, and they were a staple of every Norse warrior's kit. Some axes even came with a hammer, which was used to strike unintended blows in self-defense. An example is chapter 146 of the Brennu-Njals saga, where Thorgeirr attacked Thorkell with an axe, but as he raised his axe in the backswing, a man behind him struck it on his skull.
Axes were used for hunting

Axes were one of the most popular armaments used by Vikings. They were light and compact, easy to use and made a great weapon for hunting. They could also be thrown to a target and were very effective in combat.

Unlike swords, which were usually reserved for the rich and powerful, axes were inexpensive and available to every Viking. This allowed them to carry a weapon at all times and they were a very important part of the Viking warrior’s life.

They were used for cutting and splitting wood, as well as for building. They were lightweight and easy to carry in battle, which was especially advantageous for Viking warriors who were always on the move.

The axe blade was razor sharp and could be wielded in all directions to slash, stab and cut. It was also extremely useful for dismembering an enemy’s limbs or cracking shields and helmets.

Axes came in several different styles. Some were used primarily for wood-cutting, while others were used more for hunting and fighting. Dane axes, also known as the English long axe or hafted axe, were popular for their thin blade profile and large cutting edge.

Bearded axes, also known as the skeggox in Old Norse, were another common type of Viking axe that was used in both combat and for hunting. They had a lower portion of the axe bit that extended in a curve below the butt of the axehead, making it easier to hook and pull weapons out of an enemy’s hands or pull down their shield, allowing the axe-wielder or an ally to strike at them unprotected.

There were also axe heads made of a variety of materials, including flint. These axe heads were sometimes ornately decorated with designs etched into the flat surface of the axe blade, but most often, they were not.

They were very durable and could be used for a long time. They were also relatively cheap and lightweight, so they could be carried by anyone in the Viking army.

Axes were also used in the New World by European explorers and traders. Trade axes were small axes that were worn at the belt, and they served as an essential tool for garnishing furs and pelts for shipment back to Europe.
Axes were used for construction

Axes were a vital part of the construction industry during Viking times. They were used to build houses, boats and wagons. They also served a ceremonial purpose as well. In fact, axes have been found buried in burial chambers as grave goods.

Axe heads were shaped in many different ways during the Viking age. They varied in size and could be either curved or straight, depending on the weapon being used. During this time, stone axes were common, although some types of axe had special significance and were made from jadeite or other exclusive materials.

The cutting edge on a Viking axe head was generally between 7 and 15cm (3-6in) long, but later in the Viking age, axes became much larger and had crescent shaped edges. These axes were called breid-ox and had blades that were between 22 and 45cm (9-18in) long.

Another type of axe used in the Viking age was the two-handed axe, which was very similar to the single handed axe but with a longer haft. This type of axe had an incredibly sharp cutting edge and was often referred to as the battle axe, as it was capable of causing serious wounds in combat.

It was also used to strike at an opponent with both hands and a variety of techniques were developed using it in combat. One of the most useful techniques was to hook an ankle to trip up an enemy or to pull down a shield so that it could be struck against an opponent.

Other axe techniques included slashing throats, ripping off leather armour and splitting skulls. These methods required a high level of skill, but they were also very effective in combat.

Occasionally, axes would fail during use, especially when they hit hard objects. This would break the axe head and cause it to fly off the haft.

These failures sometimes resulted in an unprovoked attack on the axe user. However, these instances were extremely rare and often axes would be re-forged after they failed.

Despite this, the axe was a very important tool for many people during the Viking era and was an essential piece of equipment for combat. It was cheaper than a sword and less difficult to make, so even the poorest Vikings were likely to have an axe on hand.