Despite the fact that Viking axe s have not received as much attention as swords, they proved to be very powerful weapons. They often got used for surprise attacks, as it was done in chapter 22 of Fostbraedra saga.

The skeggox or bearded axe has a distinctive blade design that was particularly useful in battle. The other side of the axe featured a motif, which could be Christian or pagan in nature.
Yggdrasil

One of the most important symbols in Norse mythology is Yggdrasil. This giant ash tree is the world tree, connecting all of the Nine Worlds. It was born from the body of Ymir, an ice Jotunn who was killed by Odin. Yggdrasil’s roots reach into Asgard, its branches connect all of Midgard, and its trunk links with Jotunheim. The gods spend most of their time in Yggdrasil’s branches. It is also a symbol of rebirth and eternity.

The axe was an important Viking weapon because it required less skill to use and was cheaper than a sword. It could even be used for a surprise attack. One example is told in the Fostbraedra saga, chapter 23. In this story, Thormodr unexpectedly pulled an axe from under his cloak and struck Lodinn in the head with it. Lodinn was so stunned that he fell over, and he died from his head wound.

Yggdrasil is a very important symbol in Norse culture because of its connection to all of the worlds. It is often seen as the central hub of the universe, with all of existence arising from its roots. It is a powerful symbol of balance and renewal, and it represents the unity of all life.

It is also said that Yggdrasil contains the roots of all living things and the knowledge of everything ever known. It is a metaphor for the interconnectedness of all life on earth. In Norse cosmology, there are many different aspects of the universe that must work together for all to exist. In addition to Yggdrasil, Norse mythology has many other important symbols.

In this episode of the Yggdrasil series we recreate a Langeid broadaxe using the forging techniques that were available to the Vikings. The whole process from bog iron blooms to finished axe is documented in the series. This includes refining the raw iron, forging hardenable steel to produce the axe head, and forging the axe shaft itself. Each step is detailed, and the final product is an amazing piece of Viking history.
The Tree of Life

In Viking combat, the axe was a weapon that could be used for many different functions. It was one of the most effective weapons in a wedge formation and it could be used for slashing, as a throwing weapon, and for stabbing. The vikings were also very good at throwing their spears and they even had long, narrow spears made specifically for throwing called hand-axes (handox). They would often throw these weapons in order to thin out the enemy ranks before a battle began.

Axes were a popular weapon among the poor Viking farmers, as they were very affordable and could be used for multi-purpose purposes such as hunting, cutting, and splitting wood. But in a fight, an axe could be one of the deadliest weapons as well. Farm axes had two sharp edges, but battle axes had a single edge with a curved surface, which increased the power of a blow. The curved surface concentrated all of the force of a blow into a smaller section of the head, which was enough to break through a helmet or mail.

The curved edge of an axe could also be hooked over other body parts in order to hook an opponent and drag him in a direction he didn’t want to go. The sagas frequently mention axe blows that cleaved an opponents head down to their shoulders. The horns at the end of an axe head were kept sharp as well, as they can be used for stabbing attacks and can create very vicious wounds.

Another reason that an axe was such a deadly weapon was because of the way it was held by its user. The haft was bent near the head, as shown in this historical axe. This helps to maximize the transfer of power from the arm, shoulder and upper body to the point where the axe head meets the target, which allows it to be used for devastating slashing attacks.

Axes were very difficult to balance properly, especially when they were used for a long period of time. This was why sagas often mention that axe heads came off their hafts during fights, which must have been very discouraging for the fighter involved. A well-made axe head was very sturdy, but it still needed to be firmly attached to its haft in order to perform effectively.
Gullinkambi

Axes were a mainstay of the Viking warrior’s equipment, a symbol of strength and bravery. They were also used as tools for various tasks and could be crafted into many different shapes, sizes, and styles.

The axe was a versatile weapon that served multiple purposes, and was often forged out of iron. Axes were typically shorter than swords, with a short shaft and a sharp, broad cutting edge. Some axes were designed to be thrown, while others were made for thrusting. Axe heads were generally tapered so that they sat firmly on the haft and did not easily fly off during combat.

Aside from the axe, the shield (geirr) was the most common Viking weapon. These were usually constructed from linden or alder wood and sometimes reinforced with steel. The sagas mention linden specifically as a preferred material for the shield, which is light in hand and does not tend to split like oak. The sagas also note that the Vikings were adept at sailing, as they were able to cross the Atlantic half a millennium before their European cousins.

While the axe was a primary weapon of the Vikings, they often used it for unintended purposes as well. In one saga, the Viking Gudmundr was trying to wave mosquitoes away from his foster father’s head while he napped. His brother Einar suggested he use his axe instead, but Gudmundr took the advice too literally and swung the axe, drawing blood and creating bad blood between the two brothers.

Often, an axe would be kept hidden in the warrior’s cloak or shield for a surprise attack. One example is described in chapter 36 of Hardar saga, where Hordur is encircled by his opponents. He kills six of them with his axe, but the seventh is able to strike a blow that knocks off the head from its haft. Hordur then strikes the surviving enemy with his own axe.

Smaller axes could be kept in reserve behind a shield, a trick that was described in chapter 12 of Fostbraedra saga. In this instance, Thorgeirr surprised another warrior by pulling his axe from under his cloak during a fight and striking him in the head.
The Phoenix

The Phoenix is the ageless bird of rebirth and renewal in many cultures. In Greek mythology, the Phoenix is a fiery bird with the head of a pheasant and the tail of a peacock. In Chinese mythology, the Phoenix embodies the balance of Yin and Yang. It is also associated with death and rebirth in Hindu mythology as the mount of Vishnu.

The axe is a lethal weapon and the Vikings used it with deadly efficiency. The curved shape concentrates the force of the blow into a small area of the head, so even a short stroke can be powerful enough to punch through helmet or mail. The sagas often describe blows that cleave an opponent’s head down to the shoulders. The axe is also well balanced. It can be flicked and thrown to hook an enemy or cut through armor from behind.

Axes used in battle were different from the wooden farm axes that were common among the poorest men. The photo to the right shows a reproduction axe head and a historic axe head of similar size and shape. Unlike a sword, the axe is designed to be wielded in one hand.

Longer axes could be wielded with two hands, and smaller ones were designed to be thrown or swung. Some viking axes had heads elaborately decorated with inlays of precious metals. The axe haft was typically made of wood, though some were created with stone or bone.

One advantage of a shorter haft was that it could be hidden, allowing the wielder to surprise his enemy. This trick was described in chapter 12 of Fostbraedra saga, where Thorgeirr hid his axe under his shield and struck Snorri from the rear with a backswing.

Another trick mentioned in the sagas was that an axe could be used to parry a blow with a sword. This was described in chapter 21 of Fljotsdaela saga, where Gunnar raised his axe above his head to parry a blow from Thorkell. Unfortunately, the tip of the axe head caught in the hilt of the sword and broke the haft.