Axes were a weapon as well as a tool and the axe head could be wickedly sharp. The axe in the photo to the Viking axes left is an 11th century Mammen axe.

It displays a bird motif that may be either the rooster Gullinkambi (Old Norse “golden comb”) or the Phoenix. Both belong to Norse mythology.
Handle

The handle of a Viking axe is made of wood, and was often decorated with carvings and etchings. This decoration would not only add beauty to the weapon but also serve as a mark of rank. The axe was a very important tool for the Vikings, both as a weapon and as a tool for cutting, clearing, and splitting. It was also used for battle and to slay large animals such as bears. The Vikings were able to slay such huge animals with their axes because of the power of their blows. The handle of a Viking axe was a key part of the weapon and was very difficult to break.

There were many different designs for the handles of viking axes, but they all served the same purpose. They were designed to be both weapons and tools, which meant they had to be tough enough to withstand both blunt and sharp impacts. The axes were also very lightweight, which made them easy to maneuver and swing during battle. The axes also had a hook or beard on the bottom of the blade, which allowed them to easily cut through armor.

Axes were sometimes wrapped with iron or other metals to protect them from damage. These wraps also served to reduce the chance of the haft breaking when swung at an enemy. The sagas of the Vikings tell of many clever tricks and maneuvers using axes. For example, in the Eyrbyggja saga chapter 62, Thrandr leapt up and hooked his axe head over the wall of a fortress to pull himself in.

It was very important for axes to be able to function both as a weapon and a tool, which is why they were usually designed slightly differently from axes meant for farming. Farm axes were typically more blunt, but they were still able to do the job of cutting and clearing. In contrast, the axes that were designed for warfare were much more sharp and could be used to inflict severe wounds.

The axe heads were made of a very strong and durable material, and they were also highly polished to make them look more attractive and to increase their efficiency. They were also heat treated and tempered to improve their hardness and reduce their brittleness. This process involved heating the axe heads to very high temperatures and cooling them down quickly. The axes were also carefully inspected after being finished to ensure they met the highest standards of craftsmanship and quality.
Head

The head of a viking axe was designed to be both weapon and tool. The larger axes used for warfare had hafts up to 1.4m in length and were held by both hands. Smaller axes were typically around 60-70cm in length and could be used one handed, especially when paired with a shield. Most of the axe heads found in historical contexts were single sided, although there is evidence that some were double sided.

The blade of the axe could be any number of shapes. The most common were straight or convex, with a long cutting edge between 7 and 15cm (3-6in). Later in the Viking age, the axes became much larger. These breid-ox had curved, crescent shaped edges between 22 and 45cm (9-18in).

Axes were not only used for fighting but also for chopping wood and other tasks. The head of a viking ax was often decorated with a symbol or design to indicate its function and status. The symbol or design could be religious, pagan or even both. The Mammen axe, for example, has a bird motif that can be interpreted as either the rooster Gullinkambi or the Phoenix, which belongs to both Norse and Christian mythology.

In general, a viking axe was less expensive than a sword and easier to manufacture. This meant that even the poorest Vikings could afford a weapon. The axe was also lighter and more manoeuvrable than a sword and therefore more effective in close combat.

A viking axe can be made using a variety of materials, but the best are those that have been forged from carbon steel and feature the hammer marks on their face. These axes are functional and are ideal for historical reenactments. They can be purchased online and are a great option for reenactments or medieval DIY projects. The axe head connects to the shaft through a single socket and can be easily sharpened when needed. A viking axe is an essential piece of equipment for any Viking enthusiast.
Sheath

The axes that the Vikings carried were both weapons and tools, and they could be used to cut wood for ships, houses, carts and other objects. They were also put to very effective use in battle. This is why many different sizes and types of axes existed. They were forged from iron and forged by hand using various methods. Some axes were even decorated with inlays of precious metals.

One way to make an axe head is to flatten out a piece of metal and bend it around a bar to form the eye of the axe. Another method is to punch a hole in the metal and then drift it with a tool to form the eye of the axe. This method allows for a thicker axe head and also allows for the edge to be made sharper.

Both methods result in an axe that is extremely sharp and durable. The axe heads were often forged from iron, but they may have been made from bronze or steel as well. Some axe heads were decorated with inlays of silver and gold. One example is the Mammen axe, which was found in a rich grave dating from 971. The other side of the axe head displayed a bird motif. The bird was either the rooster Gullinkambi (Old Norse “golden comb”) or the Phoenix, a symbol of rebirth that belongs to both pagan and Christian mythology.

The sagas suggest that the axe hafts were sometimes wrapped to reduce the chance of breaking them when they were used to parry edged weapons. For instance, Brennu-Njals saga tells of Hrappr Orgumleidason carrying an axe with a wrapped shaft.

The sheath of the axe was made from leather, typically tanned in a local tannery. The leather was dyed with Fiebings professional oil dye, and then treated with palm leaf wax and heated beeswax to give it a natural look and protect the surface of the sheath. The sheath was also stitched with a single tab button closure, and a loop of rivets were placed around the edge of the sheath to hold it in place.
Leather

The leather of the sheath of viking axes stencils is made with a durable material and it is stitched to prevent it from coming loose. It also helps to protect the axe from impact. It is a common feature on many Viking weapons as it was used in battle to make sure that the axe head didn’t slip off during combat.

During the Viking age, there was no shortage of war. This resulted in a wide variety of weapon shapes, sizes, and designs. In addition to the viking axes, there were also swords, daggers, spears, and shields. Some were even decorated with runes. Various references to these weapons can be found in the Norse sagas, which are considered to have magical properties.

Most axes were of the Danish variety. These had a thin blade and a pronounced horn at the toe and heel of the bit. The Mammen axe was one of the most elegant examples and featured a comb-like pattern that included Christian and pagan motifs. This type of axe was often used as a status symbol and could be the property of a powerful Viking from a wealthy area.

Axe heads were made of iron and were single edged. Some had inlays of precious metals, but the horns on most axes were sharp and could be used offensively. They were designed to fit tightly on the haft and could resist both pulling and pushing forces. The axe head is a key part of the overall design, and it is easy to see why these weapons were so effective in battle.

The viking axes stencils were not only effective in combat but they could be used to decapitate or kill a victim. The axes had pointed “horns” at each end (oxarhyrna) that widened considerably more than a spear point or sword point and created vicious wounds when they hit an opponent. One clever move described in the Eyrbyggja saga was when Thrandr, a Viking warrior, threw his axe and hooked it over the edge of a wall at his farm and pulled himself up with the handle to cut off Hrafn’s arm.