Viking bearded axe, battle-ready, type C, blunt (battle-ready)

Product description

This type of axe head is classified as Petersen Type C. The blade features an extremely pronounced beard, with a wide flaring section behind the eye, making it one of the most distinctive forms of bearded axes. This type represents a further development of bearded axes that had already been used since the Late Roman period. Most examples have been found in Sweden, a few in Norway, but none in the United Kingdom. This type of axe was likely used as a battle axe, as the connection to the shaft is relatively thin for a woodcutting axe. Axes of this design were possibly originally developed by the Slavic peoples of the Baltic region.

The “beard” — the downward extension of the blade — provided a larger cutting surface without increasing the axe’s weight. Thanks to this design, the user could grip the haft just behind the head to plane or carve wood. In battle, the beard also had advantages: it could be used to hook or pull away an opponent’s shield or weapon.

This Viking bearded axe features a blunt edge. The shaft is made of hardwood.