Is there any way I can have a practical axe with the "viking" bearded aesthetics?

TheDandyLion

TheDandyLion

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Mar 27, 2013
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I don't do a lot of axe work but I have a Husqvarna axe (34" inches I think) that does all my heavy woods work and a maul for splitting. Now I have been wanting to get lighter/handier axe for... Well I want one. I also have been wanting a kind of viking/hand battle axe. Now can I buy an axe kinda like the CS Viking Hand axe that has more wedge shaped splitting geometry? Or should I just by a smaller woods axe and a proper fighting axe (which I reeeeaaallly would
rather not do). I posted this on reddit and didn't really get anything that wasn't over 250 so do you guys have any more budget friendly options?


Thanks


Before someone asks, it's because I want to feel like a viking when I make kindling... Don't judge me...
 
Sure you can. This is mine, sorry i do not have a better pic.
DSC_0283.jpg
 
Ragnars ragweed forge has some in the exact pattern that you want, give it a quick google. They're cast but are affordable and hold a decent edge.
 
hahaha! I like your reasoning - it's honest. I don't know anything about them, but ultimately if it's kinda wedge like and sharp, then it'll make kindling. You could make kindling with a claw hammer or a chisel or a cleaver, so why not this? I know that lots of folks like to dress up their CS stuff (I even kinda want to), same with harbor freight axes, or any number of cheap hardware store axes, or even Vaughan - just ran across one of their carpenter's hatchets for $20 at walmart, a pattern that seems to be popular to hack up and it's a pretty decent tool from what I've heard.
 
cityofthesouth said:
hahaha! I like your reasoning - it's honest. I don't know anything about them, but ultimately if it's kinda wedge like and sharp, then it'll make kindling. You could make kindling with a claw hammer or a chisel or a cleaver, so why not this? I know that lots of folks like to dress up their CS stuff (I even kinda want to), same with harbor freight axes, or any number of cheap hardware store axes, or even Vaughan - just ran across one of their carpenter's hatchets for $20 at walmart, a pattern that seems to be popular to hack up and it's a pretty decent tool from what I've heard.
Click to expand...

Splitting arm size bits of woods with the CS stuff is challenging because of the thing edge but large eye with a less edge more knife on stick kind of profile. (I own 4 of their hawks) The Vaughn looks nice but I'm really looking for something more axe sized, less hatchet.
 
DarthTaco123 said:
Ragnars ragweed forge has some in the exact pattern that you want, give it a quick google. They're cast but are affordable and hold a decent edge.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that might be the fall back but they are in 410 stainless and I have heard that he doesn't put a very good temper on them, they are just for throwing.
 
My friend forged it for me. The smaller one i use for training and the upper one is actually sharp for camping tasks.
 
The kind of 'Viking Axe' you're looking at is primarily a Battle Axe. Could it be used for general Bush-Craft? The short answer is, yes. Is it the best choice for limbing a tree or splitting kindling? No. The 'Bearded Axe' evolved from an everyday peasant Farmer, Woodworking tool to the more refined Battle Axe and 'Dane Axe' we are familiar with. These were purpose-built fighters. Kind of like a 'Dagger' v 'Camp knife'. Can the Dagger cut meat and vegetables? Sure it can, but it's much better at fighting.

I have a Svante Djarv Large Viking Axe (see link below). It is patterned from a Viking era Axe found on Gotland Island, Sweden. IMHO, it is the most accurate version of the general purpose 'Viking Axe' currently available. It most likely felled trees, carved bowls, cut meat, fish, fowl and went raiding with the 'Sven the Viking' when he wasn't farming or fishing and cleaved a few heads. But, for every English soldier it killed, dozens of more mundane tasks were accomplished with it everyday.

http://www.djarv.se/djarvenglish/yxor.asp

JMHO, YMMV.

SJ
 
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ScooterJammer said:
The kind of 'Viking Axe' you're looking at is primarily a Battle Axe. Could it be used for general Bush-Craft? The short answer is, yes. Is it the best choice for limbing a tree or splitting kindling? No. The 'Bearded Axe' evolved from an everyday peasant Farmer, Woodworking tool to the more refined Battle Axe and 'Dane Axe' we are familiar with. These were purpose-built fighters. Kind of like a 'Dagger' v 'Camp knife'. Can the Dagger cut meat and vegetables? Sure it can, but it's much better at fighting.

I have a Svante Djarv Large Viking Axe (see link below). It is patterned from a Viking era Axe found on Gotland Island, Sweden. IMHO, it is the most accurate version of the general purpose 'Viking Axe' currently available. It most likely felled trees, carved bowls, cut meat, fish, fowl and went raiding with the 'Sven the Viking' when he wasn't farming or fishing and cleaved a few heads. But, for every English soldier it killed, dozens of more mundane tasks were accomplished with it everyday.

http://www.djarv.se/djarvenglish/yxor.asp

JMHO, YMMV.

SJ
Click to expand...

I'm well aware It's mostly a combat design but I'm looking for that old-timey fusion of weapon and tool. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
Roselli makes one like a couple of folks have posted. You can get it either as a hatchet or an axe, but my understanding is that the only difference is the handle length.
 
popedandy said:
Roselli makes one like a couple of folks have posted. You can get it either as a hatchet or an axe, but my understanding is that the only difference is the handle length.
Click to expand...

Those are also sort of small and dedicated carving axes. I'm looking for a larger hard use fighting/woods axe.
 
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