Viking axe, skeggox, type C, semi-sharp

Product description

The axe was an indispensable and versatile tool for the Vikings, whether used for felling trees, building ships, houses, and furniture, or as a weapon in combat. The shape and size of the axe heads were adapted to their intended use. Some axes were beautifully decorated, serving as status symbols and often buried alongside their owner.

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

The “beard” – the downward-extending part of the blade – provided a larger cutting surface without adding weight. This design allowed the user to grip the handle directly behind the head for shaping or carving wood. In combat, the beard also offered advantages, such as hooking or pulling an opponent’s shield or weapon.

This axe features a hand-forged blade made of high-quality carbon steel and a sturdy ash wood handle.