Many Viking axe for sale people who are into history or historical re-enactment want to use weapons that are as close to the originals as possible. A good example of this is the Viking axe.

Also known as the Danish axe or English long axe, this type of weapon was used in battle and for everyday activities. Its distinguishing feature was the 'beard' that could be utilized to hook an enemy's weapon or shield.
Type A

During the Viking Age, most axes were crafted from wood. They were used for both tool and weapon purposes. They were also used for hunting, farming and chopping wood.

Axe hafts were often bent near the eye of the head to maximize the transfer of power from the arm, shoulder and upper body to the contact point of the blade with its target. The axe head also displayed a variety of motifs. Some of these motifs were pagan, while others were Christian.

Type A is the earliest type of viking axe. This axe has shallow spurs and a slightly curved blade. This type of axe dates from between 900 and 1030 AD. The axe head was sometimes punched through with a drift or rivet. It is also symmetrical in shape, unlike other axe heads. It also has a pronounced ridge behind the eye.
Type B

These types of axes have a shorter haft than other viking axes, making them easier to wield in battle. The axe heads are often bearded, and the blunt back of the head could be used for striking opponents in the throat or chest.

The hafts are also wrapped with leather ties, which both help secure the axe heads and provide a grip all the way up the haft. This style of axe was often seen as an indicator of wealth and warrior status.

The axe heads can sometimes contain motifs that represent pagan or Christian beliefs. The one in the photo to the left is an example, showing the pagan tree Yggdrasil, but it can also be interpreted as the Christian Tree of Life. It may be that axes with such symbols were more often given as gifts than other types of viking axes.
Type C

The axe is one of the most versatile weapons of the Viking age. Its curved shape concentrates the force of the blow on a small area and can penetrate helmets and maille. The sagas mention a variety of moves that can be performed with an axe, including hooking over the ankle to trip someone or hooking their shield away to disarm them.

Axe heads could be decorated with silver wire in scroll and linear patterns. A stag’s head is also found on a few examples of Type C axes.

Some axes have a metal ferrule or butt that protrudes from the base of the shaft. This was a common feature of axes found in Scandinavia and northern Russia, and may be a response to increased use of protective armour like helmets and maille.
Type D

One of the first scholars to create a typology for Viking weapons, Dr. Jan Petersen classifies axes based on their head shape, intended use, and time period. His axe typology works much like his sword typology in that he assigns letters to different designs.

Generally, this type of axe features two sharp blades on either side of the head. This allows for more maneuverability and a stronger cutting edge. It is also smaller than a full-sized felling axe so it is easy to carry on camping trips.

The head of this axe is also often decorated with a bird motif, either the rooster Gullinkambi or the Phoenix. These motifs are important to Vikings as they are emblems of power and wealth. They are also a symbol of rebirth and belong to both pagan and Christian mythology.
Type E

In a period when nearly everything was constructed of wood, it’s not surprising that many different sizes and types of axes existed. They were mostly used as tools, but they could also be employed on the battlefield.

The pointed “horns” at each end (oxarhyrna) were kept sharp and created vicious wounds when stabbed into the chest or throat of an opponent. One example of this can be found in the Fostbraedra saga, where Kolbeinn killed Thord by driving his axe into his throat.

Petersen’s Type E axe has long spurs, a slender neck, and a slightly bearded blade. They were in use from 800 to 950 AD.
Type F

The curved shape of an axe concentrates the force of a blow into a smaller area. This allows an axe to punch through armor or other defenses. The sagas often mention axe blows that cleaved an opponent’s head down to the shoulders.

Type F axes have longer, yet lower spurs and a subtle beard on the blade. They date from 850 to 1025 AD.

One of these axes belonged to the magnate Mammen. It displays a motif on one side of the axe head that can be interpreted as Christian or pagan. On the other side is depicted a bird, either the Gullinkambi rooster or the Phoenix, both of which belong to Norse mythology. The axe also features a symbol of the Yggdrasil tree, which can be interpreted as both a Christian and a pagan symbol.
Type G

Axes were used as weapons and tools during the Viking period. Jan Petersen classified them into twelve types based on their head shapes. His typology uses the same lettering as his sword typology, which makes it easy to understand and has remained an important tool for studying viking weapons.

Type G axes have pointed yet low-profile spurs and a curved blade, which allowed them to cut more easily than other axes. They were used from 600 to 840 AD.

This type of axe is also known as the Dane axe, and was used to chop down trees and attack enemies in battle. It was a symbol of wealth and power, and could be decorated with silver or gold inlays to indicate the owner’s status. Axes of this type were often presented as gifts to kings or noblemen.
Type H

The haft of a viking axe can be made of various materials. Axe hafts can be riven, or created by gluing together a few pieces of wood. The most common material for axe hafts was ash, but some were made of hornbeam and cherry.

Axes of this type have a long, pointed beard, which allows the blade to concentrate force on a small section of the edge, making it powerful enough to break helmets and mail. The curved shape also makes it easy to use the axe to hook an opponent’s shield or leg. This weapon was used between 600 and 840 AD.

This axe has an engraved pattern on the head and a silver ferrule. It is a beautiful collector’s item and perfect for display or decoration. This axe is not battle ready and should not be used for combat reenactment.
Type I

The axe was a very important weapon for Vikings, not only because it allowed them to fell trees and harvest wood but also to attack unaware foes. It also served as a status symbol, like the Mammen axe which displayed a mix of Christian and pagan motifs.

This axe type has pronounced horns on each end of the blade (oxarhyrna). The curved shape concentrates the force of the blow into a small area which can easily punch through a helmet or mail.

The horns could also be used for stabbing attacks, like when Kolbeinn in chapter 5 of Graenlendinga thattur drove his axe into Thord’s throat, killing him. The axe head could also be used to hook an opponent, as described in Fostbraedra saga chapter 23. This clever move enabled a warrior to pull his axe out from underneath his cloak to surprise his enemy.
Type J

Axes were the weapons of choice for even the poorest Viking men. A farm axe could serve as a weapon in a pinch, but Viking warriors favored a more specialized axe for combat.

One of these is known as the bearded axe, or skeggox, and features a lower portion of the axe head that curves down to create a beard. This beard allows the axe to hook an enemy’s shield or weapon, allowing the Viking to attack or pull it away.

The other characteristic of this type of axe is its cross motif. This may be an indication of Christianity's influence in the Viking world at the time. Axes of this type were also used for ceremonial purposes. This was the case with an axe from Mammen, Denmark that was found in a rich chamber-grave and dates to 970-971 AD.