Anyone into Vikings and their weapons & tools? Just got an axe.

[GMballistic]

I do find edged weapons/tools interesting as well as history. Quite often I watch Viking programmes and such, one day searching the net I randomly came across a site called Raven Forge. https://ravenforge.com/collections/axes

Since then I've bought a few items from them, mainly gifts for others tbf like Mead, but then the other day something caught my fancy whilst they were having a flash sale which they often do. So I bought my first Viking Axe, "The Knight Feller".




I know some may wonder why but honestly it is such an unusual piece and so interesting to me. I guess it is also practical in some ways as if we ever need to break that window to escape the bedroom in a fire then that axe will do that no problem.
Even the Mrs said it looks good.

 

[JohnnySweden]

It's very common here and made everywhere..

 

[smartshooting]

Funnily enough just binge watching "Vikings" for the second time and watching the axes with interest. Seem light headed with long handles compared with the standard UK hatchets or hand axes that we have that sit between the felling / splitting axe and billhook. Not seen one with the reverse spike so far. Noticeable on the series that most are blunt as spoons but thats probably H+S for the actors..

 

[Auldfart2010]

Edged weapons................
I must not look.
Too late.
Make an appointment with my therapist.
I’ll be in the garage sharpening every bit of metal to hand, from billhooks to the universal bench blades, again.

 

[GMballistic]

It's very common here and made everywhere..

That's lovely knife.
I love the forged look and more obvious hand made.

Funnily enough just binge watching "Vikings" for the second time and watching the axes with interest. Seem light headed with long handles compared with the standard UK hatchets or hand axes that we have that sit between the felling / splitting axe and billhook. Not seen one with the reverse spike so far. Noticeable on the series that most are blunt as spoons but thats probably H+S for the actors..

I almost bought one called "The Old Ragnar" from Raven Forge which is a kind of reproduction/representation of the one from the show.
They do custom design stuff as well plus they are mainly sharp edges so could be used as axes if needed or as "works of art", display pieces.

Edged weapons................
I must not look.
Too late.
Make an appointment with my therapist.
I’ll be in the garage sharpening every bit of metal to hand, from billhooks to the universal bench blades, again.

It's difficult not to see the beauty in the craftsmanship.

 

[Katoom390]

Bought the son the pizza axe a mystery box and a bottle of the mead with drinking horn from there.

 

[GMballistic]

Bought the son the pizza axe a mystery box and a bottle of the mead with drinking horn from there.

What was the mystery box like?
Which one was it?

I've bought a fair bit of mead from there which my Oldman likes.

 

[Katoom390]

Box had a couple of knives ,one folding one more like a veg chopper with a 6 inch blade ,a cap and a thors hammer necklace. It was £39.99.

 

[Owain]

Here’s my shaving axe. Yes it holds an incredible edge.
I really like the balance and versatility you get with a bearded axe.
I suppose it’s loosely based on a Viking design.
I bought the head from a maker in Bulgaria.
Took a bit of work to get the edge the way I wanted but it has turned out well.

 

[Owain]

Here’s my shaving axe. Yes it holds an incredible edge.
I really like the balance and versatility you get with a bearded axe.
I suppose it’s loosely based on a Viking design.
I bought the head from a maker in Bulgaria.
Took a bit of work to get the edge the way I wanted but it has turned out well.

 

[GMballistic]

Here’s my shaving axe. Yes it holds an incredible edge.
I really like the balance and versatility you get with a bearded axe.
I suppose it’s loosely based on a Viking design.
I bought the head from a maker in Bulgaria.
Took a bit of work to get the edge the way I wanted but it has turned out well.

That's lovely. Great shape to the head design.

 

[CDD]

It's very common here and made everywhere..

View attachment 1019860

Hey, that's ours! It's a seax and we Anglo- S(e)axons have naming rights.

Not into Viking equipment but have read a lot about their culture and history. I highly recommend The Children of Ash and Elm by Neil Price as a starting point.

 

[JohnnySweden]

Hey, that's ours! It's a seax and we Anglo- S(e)axons have naming rights.

But yours are broken back, his one has straight back blade, a variation/evolvement of the broken back.

 

[CDD]

Nope. They can have either form. However the same knife design with local variants was used by Germanic/Scandinavian people across the region.

My dog's name is Fenrir btw

 

[Bladesmith]

I've made a few things for reenactment people

 

[GMballistic]

I've made a few things for reenactment people

Very nice.
Do you have a forge then or do you buy the blades/heads in ready made and then shape/design them and fix to the handles?

 

[Bladesmith]

Very nice.
Do you have a forge then or do you buy the blades/heads in ready made and then shape/design them and fix to the handles?

Yes mate do it all but the axe is a plate shaped then welded to a bit of tube job done

 

[GMballistic]

Yes mate do it all but the axe is a plate shaped then welded to a bit of tube job done

Very interesting.
I've made some knives myself but never made the blades myself. I've just done some of those kits you can buy (Swedish kits, Rough Rider kits) as well as used old knife blades from other knives and then adapted them to fit new handles etc adding some file work & polishing.

 

[Bighit]

One of my mates brothers is John Barnett who has some viking pieces like this .

Viking Broadsword | John Barnett Premium Display Sword

This broadsword is one the largest, heaviest Viking swords in our shop, Weighing in at 1.74kg and with a blade width of a whopping 65mm wide at the base. This sword is a stunning display piece from the John Barnett range. Approximate specifications are as follows: Edge: BluntLength: 94cmBlade...

ravenforge.com

 

[Bladesmith]

Very interesting.
I've made some knives myself but never made the blades myself. I've just done some of those kits you can buy (Swedish kits, Rough Rider kits) as well as used old knife blades from other knives and then adapted them to fit new handles etc adding some file work & polishing.

Always bought the steel etc mate made me own gas forge for heat treating etc. Still got this one left someone will ask for one one day or ill alter it to a nice bowie.