Battle axes
The battle axe was most popular amongst Norsemen in the Viking Age. It was commonly used for agricultural purposes, as well as shipbuilding, and eventually adapted for use in Viking raids. Axes varied in size from small handheld axes called broadaxes that could be used both for raids and in farming, to Danish Axes that were well over a meter in length. These axes had a wooden shaft, with a large, curved iron blade. They required less swinging power than expected, as the large bladed heads allowed gravity and momentum to do most of the work, The axe had points on each tip of the blade where the curve tapered off. This allowed the axe to be used to hook an opponent, while also doubling as a thrusting weapon.
Sword
Viking Age swords were just as common in battle and raids as axes. While there were many variations of swords, the Vikings used double-edged swords, often with blades 90 centimeters in length and 15 centimeters in width. These swords were designed for slashing and cutting, rather than thrusting, so the blades were carefully sharpened while the tip was often left relatively dull.
A sword was considered a personal object amongst Vikings. Warriors would name their swords, as they felt such objects guarding their lives deserved identities. A Sword, depending on the make, often was associated with prestige and value due to the importance of honor in the Viking Age. Of the most prestigious were the swords with the transcription Ulfbert on the blade. These blades were thought to have come from Asia or India, as iron smelting in Viking Age Europe was primitive.
Spear
While not as prevalent as swords and battle axes, spears were commonly used in the Viking Age. These spears were inexpensive and effective. The length of the wooden handle of such spears was between two and three meters. There were two types of spears; one was made for throwing while the other was generally used for thrusting. The handles of these were the same, but the tips of throwing spears were roughly thirty centimeters while the thrusting speaks were close to sixty. More often than not, spears were used as projectile weapons, in the occasional naval fight, as well as during raids on shore and in battle. This was in part due to the Norsemen’s natural height and build, being much taller and bigger than Frankish and English men at the time.
The battle axe was most popular amongst Norsemen in the Viking Age. It was commonly used for agricultural purposes, as well as shipbuilding, and eventually adapted for use in Viking raids. Axes varied in size from small handheld axes called broadaxes that could be used both for raids and in farming, to Danish Axes that were well over a meter in length. These axes had a wooden shaft, with a large, curved iron blade. They required less swinging power than expected, as the large bladed heads allowed gravity and momentum to do most of the work, The axe had points on each tip of the blade where the curve tapered off. This allowed the axe to be used to hook an opponent, while also doubling as a thrusting weapon.
Sword
Viking Age swords were just as common in battle and raids as axes. While there were many variations of swords, the Vikings used double-edged swords, often with blades 90 centimeters in length and 15 centimeters in width. These swords were designed for slashing and cutting, rather than thrusting, so the blades were carefully sharpened while the tip was often left relatively dull.
A sword was considered a personal object amongst Vikings. Warriors would name their swords, as they felt such objects guarding their lives deserved identities. A Sword, depending on the make, often was associated with prestige and value due to the importance of honor in the Viking Age. Of the most prestigious were the swords with the transcription Ulfbert on the blade. These blades were thought to have come from Asia or India, as iron smelting in Viking Age Europe was primitive.
Spear
While not as prevalent as swords and battle axes, spears were commonly used in the Viking Age. These spears were inexpensive and effective. The length of the wooden handle of such spears was between two and three meters. There were two types of spears; one was made for throwing while the other was generally used for thrusting. The handles of these were the same, but the tips of throwing spears were roughly thirty centimeters while the thrusting speaks were close to sixty. More often than not, spears were used as projectile weapons, in the occasional naval fight, as well as during raids on shore and in battle. This was in part due to the Norsemen’s natural height and build, being much taller and bigger than Frankish and English men at the time.