quadro_bikeThis functional axe is a great addition to any Viking collection. It features a etched design and an ash wood handle.
The axe head is made from thick iron and is single edged with a wedge shaped cross section. There were several methods of attaching the axe heads to the hafts.
Engraving
An axe is a large tool used to cut and split wood, stones, and other materials. The viking axe was often shaped with two pointed “horns” at the end of the head (oxarhyrna). They were kept sharp for slashing attacks and could penetrate deeper than the blade. One famous example was when Kolbeinn drove a viking axe into Thord’s throat, killing him.
The axe head was usually made of iron, more specifically bog iron. Historians are not sure why a steel tip was added to the axe as iron itself held an edge much better than bronze.
Some axe heads were highly decorated with swirling designs and inlays of precious metals. These axes were primarily ceremonial and were used in special occasions such as funerals. The axe head was also sometimes bent near the eye, which maximized the transfer of power from the haft and shoulder to the edge of the blade.
Axes were often heat treated and tempered to improve their hardness and reduce their brittleness. This process involved heating the axe head to extremely high temperatures and then cooling it down quickly. The axes were then hammered on both sides to give them an aggressively sharp edge.
During the Viking era, there was a wide variety of axe heads, some being much larger than others. The thinner ones were 7 to 15cm (3-7in) long, and the larger breid-ox had crescent-shaped edges of 22 to 45cm (9-18in). Some axe heads were even welded together with a steel bit for the cutting edge.
The axe haft was normally made of oak or birch, but it could be made of other hardwoods as well. It was wrapped with a layer of leather, which was secured by rivets. The axe haft was usually also curved slightly near the head, which maximized the transfer of force from the hand and arm to the axe head.
The Etched Viking Axe is a great choice for any viking enthusiast. It has a beautiful etched design on the blade and is perfect for battle or adding to a collection. The handle is made from ash and is carved to look battle-worn. You can watch a video of the axe making process here and another showing the carving process. The axe comes with free shipping Australia wide, so order yours today.
Etching
The Viking axe was a versatile weapon that could be used for tasks around the farm, in battle and even for hunting. The axe was made light enough to be wielded with one hand and was often used in conjunction with a shield. The axes had a forged head and hardened edge that were capable of punching through armour and cleaving helms. There were a variety of axes, from the smaller ones used on farms to larger ones found in burial sites and Viking-era museums.
The axes were made from iron and were forged using various methods. The simplest was to flatten out the metal and wrap it around a bar to form the eye of the axe head. Other methods involved drilling holes and then using a drift to shape the eye of the axe head. The axe head would then be riveted to the handle. The rivets were usually made of copper and brass. The handle would also be engraved with a number of symbols.
Etching the axe was done by exposing the metal to salt water. This is a safe way to put marking on the axe that cannot be erased. It can be done on most types of metal including steel, brass and bronze. The etching process works by passing current through the metal and driving the metal ions away from the surface. This makes the etched surface less dense than the un-etched metal.
Once the etching is complete, the axe needs to be polished. This is done to remove any blemishes and give the axe a smooth surface. Once the axe is polished it can be treated with oil. This will protect it from corroding and help to keep it in good condition.
The etching on this particular axe is based on a historic find from Mammen, Denmark. The axe was found with distinct etchings and is a beautiful example of how the vikings decorated their weapons. The axe has both Christian and pagan motifs. On one side, there is a depiction of a tree that can be interpreted as either the pagan Yggdrasil or the Christian Tree of Life. The other side has a bird motif that is either the rooster Gullinkambi or the Phoenix.
AC Marking
Axes were very common tools and weapons during the Viking age. They were used for cutting wood, construction and even in battle. The axes were made with high-grade steel which meant they could be sharp and sturdy but still easy to handle. They were also engraved with runes and had leather straps on the shafts for a solid grip. Some axes were even inlaid with precious metals, like silver. The inscriptions on these axes can be interpreted as either Christian or pagan motifs, but it’s generally agreed that the majority of them are pagan.
This viking axe has a high carbon steel head with a thick haft of rosewood. The haft is engraved with Nordic Runes and tightly fixed with leather straps for a solid grip. The blade of the axe has a triquetral shape and a bearded design etched on it. The etching process is done by hand and the design takes inspiration from a historical find; the Mammen axe. The axe was excavated from a grave in Mammen, Denmark and is considered to be an exceptional axe because of its elegant appearance and inscriptions. The axe depicts a tree which is interpreted as either the pagan Yggdrasil or the Christian Tree of Life.
To create this axe we started by forging a block of mild low carbon steel. A notch is then chiseled into one end of the billet and a wedge shaped piece of alloyed tool steel is inserted to form the harder, sharper cutting edge. The axe is then heated to a dark yellow color and borax is sprinkled on it. The borax liquefies the oxidation scale and washes it off of the welding seam. The axe is then heated again and forged so that the two pieces of steel forge weld together.
The axe is now ready to be used in battle or reenactments. We have paired it with a leather sheath that’s handmade at a local tannery, using the same techniques that were used 100 years ago. The sheath is dyed with Fiebings professional oil dye and treated with palm leaf wax and heated beeswax for a vintage look. The sheath is then finished with Fiebings acrylic resoline for protection.
Leather Sheath
During the Viking Age, axes were often heavily embellished with intricate designs and inlaid with precious metals. These axes were often used for ceremonial purposes or as part of a burial rite. Today, you can buy a functional replica of a Viking axe and display it with pride. It will surely impress your friends and family. Just remember to take care of it when not in use and regularly oil with a food safe oil.
The viking axe is a powerful tool that can be used to chop through wood or stone. It also has a sharp, curved blade that can be used to stab and cut. The axe head is typically thicker than the handle and has a pointed “horn” on each end. These horns are very useful for stabbing attacks, but can also be used to create devastating slashing wounds. Historically, these axes were kept very sharp to ensure their effectiveness.
Viking axes were often decorated with Norse patterns and imagery. This was done either via acid etching, which wasn’t available during the Viking Age, or by a more traditional engraving method. In addition to this, many Viking axe s were engraved with runes. These symbols were believed to have magical powers, which is why they were added to the axe heads.
Another common decoration for viking axes was silver inlay. This was especially popular on the axes of magnates, who were frequently given such axes as gifts. The etched axe from Mammen, for example, features a tree motif on one side. This can be interpreted as the pagan Norse tree Yggdrasil or as a Christian symbol of rebirth.
The viking axe is a versatile weapon that can be used for cutting, chopping, and even beheading. Its curved blade can be used to pierce and tear through a variety of materials, including wood, stone, and flesh. The axe is also very effective against armor, and its sharp edge can cleave through bone. The axe is also very lightweight, which makes it an excellent choice for combat. It is a great choice for any Viking warrior.
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