There are many historical viking axes that have been crafted and used throughout history. Some of these axes were forged from bronze or iron, while others were forged from steel. This article will talk about Thrandr's axe, Magnate's axe, and Mammen's axe. You'll also learn what to look for in a Viking axe when purchasing one.
Thrandr's axe
Axes from the Viking Age are rare objects, but a fascinating piece of Viking history can be found in some of the most beautiful graves. Various Viking axes have been discovered in both elaborate warrior graves and simple burials. Although the majority of Viking axes were made of iron, some were decorated with silver inlay or a combination of copper and silver. One such axe was found in a magnate's grave in Jutland. Its decoration includes patterns of birds and a tree. The tree may represent the pagan god Yggdrasil or the Christian Tree of Life.
The Fostbraedra saga mentions that the mighty Thormodr had a special axe hammered all the way to the edge. This special axe was meant for breaking skulls and not wood, and the blade was incredibly sharp. Some axeheads are very delicate, with thin cross-sections, and others show evidence of being made as a single piece. The horns also punch out the eye, which is a very common feature on Viking axes.
Another interesting historical Viking axe is the cross axe. This type of axe is mysterious. The cross head was partly solid and featured a cross motif. The owner of such an axe was likely a Christian, although they weren't necessarily Christian. It is interesting to note that these axes were made for ceremonial use. While the Vikings didn't worship God, it does reflect that Christianity was widespread in this area of the Viking period.
Thrandr's axe is an important Viking historical artifact. Although the Vikings used axes as weapons, they also used them as tools. The historical axe head of Thrandr's axe is similar to the heads of Frankish throwing axes, which predate the Viking age. Hence, a Frankish axe might have made its way to Norse lands during the Viking age.
While the Thrandr's axe is not currently in production, it was used by Viking warriors. The axe was often a status symbol, and even a sacred object. It served as an axe during the Viking era, but not in its modern form. Nevertheless, this Viking historical axe is an exceptional replica of the weapon. If you're looking for a historical Viking axe, make sure to visit Gransfors Bruk to view it.
The head of the Thrandr's axe is an excellent example of an authentically made Viking ax. The cutting edge of this Viking axe is approximately 22cm (9 inches) long and made of steel. The haft of the axe is around 140cm (55 inches) long. The head can be seven to fifteen centimetres wide. The blade of the Thrandr's axe is often decorated with precious metals. This Thrandr's axe was found in a rich grave and was thought to be a lethal weapon.
Magnate's axe
The Magnate's axe is a highly decorated and historically important viking ax. It was discovered near Randers, Denmark, in an over-hornbaek grave. It was decorated with silver and copper inlay and featured an animal figure. The axes were decorated with motifs that are not entirely clear - some are pagan, while others are Christian.
The axes are not in production today, but have roots in the period between 600 and 1200 CE. The company that produces historical axes also manufactures replicas of these axes in other parts of Central Europe and Sweden. The company based the replicas on archaeological finds and traditional forging methods. It takes many months of work to make one of these axes, and each is handcrafted and unique.
Another unique feature of the ax is its head shape. It resembles Frankish throwing axes, which predate the Viking period. The axes may have been brought to Norse lands by Franks, as mentioned in the sagas. Axes were also used for combat and clever moves with them are described in Norse sagas. Thrandr once leapt up to hook the axe head over a wall to attack Hrafn's fortification. This maneuver is not described in detail, but it is believed to have been used by the Vikings.
Aside from splitting wood, this axe also had some unique properties. The head of the axe could hook over other body parts, such as the neck, and use it as a drag. It could be used to hook a shield, as well. This was the case when Askmadr ran around his opponent and attempted to hook the shield. In a Viking combat demo video, he demonstrated this action.
Another interesting feature of the Magnate's axe is its striking surface. Most Viking axes have iron or steel heads. A bronze axe found in Iceland during the Viking age raises interesting questions about its use. It has an iron cutting bit that is heavily eroded. It is likely a hunting axe, but the blade is still sharp enough to kill an opponent. The bearded axe is a unique example of the axe and the method used to cut it.
While the Magnate's axe was used in combat, it is believed that it was also used for domestic purposes. These axes were often inlaid with copper and silver and had partially solid heads and a cross motif. The cross motif on the head of the Magnate's axe is unique to this type of Viking ax. It also represents Christianity, which came to the Vikings in the 4th century.
The length of a Viking axe varies, with heads varying in shape and size. In the early Viking age, the axe's cutting edges were small, while the later version had crescent-shaped edges. Generally, a Viking axe could be anywhere from a foot to five feet long, depending on its size and shape. Its size and shape were determined by its purpose, and the axe had to be long enough for the user to use it effectively.
Mammen axe
The Mammen axe is a historically significant Viking relic that has a striking look. Its head is reminiscent of the Petersen Type G. Its haft, though partially corroded, still retains its beauty. Although this historical viking axe isn't available for sale, the manufacturer, Hanwei, has created a replica. This relic is a perfect addition to your collection.
The axe that was excavated from the Mammen grave in Denmark is not a specific type of axe. It is a single fine specimen that was discovered around 1000. The axe is crafted of iron with silver inlay and decorated with motifs in the "Mammen style," a combination of pagan and Christian symbols. The axe clearly belonged to an important Viking.
Its striking edge is 22cm (9in) long and was welded to an iron head. The addition of steel allowed the axe to retain its edge better than if it was made entirely of iron. In addition to the haft, the axe's head was also decorated with precious metals. The Mammen axe is one such example, with its gold and silver inlays.
Despite being a historically accurate relic, it is not known whether Viking men used sheaths to carry their axes. The archaeological and literary evidence are the only supporting evidence for this theory. Although the Sagas of Icelanders mention the carrying of knives, swords, and saxes in scabbards, they don't mention axes at all.
Aside from their historical value, Mammen axes are considered to be excellent collector's items. The historical viking axe's head is similar to that of Frankish throwing axes, which predate the Viking era. It is thought that Frankish axes made their way to Norse lands and were used by Vikings in battle. The sagas describe clever axe moves. In one incident, Thrandr jumped up to Viking axes for sale his axe head over a wall to cut off Hrafn's arm. While the fortification did not describe the exact details, it does mention that this axe's blade was sharpened to cut off Hrafn's arm.
The Viking axe was widely used by Norse warriors. In addition to using it for cutting and splitting wood, the Mammen axe was also used as a throwing weapon. The Mammen axe's blades were made of iron, while the spearpoint was made of stone. The Vikings were highly skilled at using edged weapons. A Viking axe was the most popular type of weapon used in battle, and some weapons were light enough to throw.
The original Mammen axe had intricate patterns on its sides. The silver inlay was used to decorate the socket. The blade is also decorated with deep grooves and four raised platforms. During battle, it is common for the head to fly off in a battle, but in times of peace, this is not the case. A reconstructed Mammen axe has a storied history.