If you are looking Viking shields for the right Viking dual axe, you have come to the right place. Read on to discover the differences between the Thrandr's axe and the Birka axe. As a Viking enthusiast, you'll appreciate the detail that these pieces of weaponry have to offer, and be sure to check out the viking dual axe guides available online. You'll be glad you did, because you're on the road to finding the best Viking axe for you.
Thrandr's axe

The Islendinga saga recounts an event well after the Viking age when a man was struck by an axe in west Iceland. The incident suggests that the head of the axe was not covered. It is therefore fitting that a modern reconstruction of this weapon be constructed with great care. The axe is both wickedly sharp and deadly. A modern reconstruction of Thrandr's axe is now on display at the Museum of Natural History.

An axe has a curved head that focuses its blow and can punch through mail and helmet. In sagas, a Viking axe blow can cleave an opponent's head down to his shoulders. One Viking combat demonstration video shows this blow in action. The curved head of the axe allows it to be used in several different ways, from hooking the opponent's ankle to throwing him to the ground.

The head of the historic throndr's axe is similar to that of Frankish throwing ax heads. Frankish axes pre-date the Viking age and may have reached the Norse lands at this time. In the Norse sagas, Thrandr performs a number of clever maneuvers with his axe, notably hooking the head over the fortification's wall. He then cut off Hrafn's arm with the axe. Unlike the saga, however, the exact location of the fortification is not described.

It is important to note that the head of a Viking dual axe can sometimes break during use. It can fly off its haft and cause a fighter to lose their nerves. However, the Hardar saga mentions an incident where Hordur's opponents were encircling him. In this case, the Viking axe head struck the haft and killed six men. This story shows that the throne-slaying axe is not an isolated incident.

The Thrandr's saga also mentions a special thromodr axe, which was hammered all the way to the edge. The result was a razor-sharp blade. This axe would not be used for splitting wood, but was made for slicing skulls. Despite its unusual shape, the Vikings aimed it at splitting skulls.
Birka axe

The Birka axe is an unusual double-headed hammer. These axes are not made in the traditional Viking style, but have an impressively high quality finish. A single Birka axe weighs around 400 grams, while a pair of double-headed axes weighs more than 900 grams. These axes take many hours to produce, but the wait is worth it because they are incredibly tough and will endure heavy use.

Although there are several variations of the story, the most popular is version C, which comes from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. The second version (B) comes from the Gesta regum anglorum, written by William of Malmesbury. The three versions differ in the axe's use, the number of opponents killed, and even the manner of death. Regardless of which version you read, it's important to understand how a Viking dual axe could be used in combat.

Danish axes are also common in high-medieval sources. They're associated with Richard the Lionheart and King Stephen of England. Old French romans include them as hasche Danoise. Scandinavian axes were often carried on the right shoulder. The Dynna stone, Klahammar pendant, and Hunnestad monument all show this type of axe.

A typical Birka axe has a unique ferrule, which is made of a rectangular 0.5-mm plate nailed to the shaft. Two Norwegian examples have four projections on the lower part of the ferrule, which are visible under the axehead. This decoration is rare and difficult to see on other Viking axes. However, it is a sign of quality and craftsmanship.

The head of this historical axe is similar to a Frankish throwing ax, which predates the Viking era. In fact, this ancient weapon may have made its way to the Viking lands during the Viking period. The Norse sagas describe clever moves made with these axes. In one tale, Thrandr leapt up and hooked his axe head over a wall, then clinging to the axe's handle, he struck Hrafn's arm with the axe. While this tale is not recorded in the Eyrbyggja saga, it does show a Viking axe.

The largest head on the Birka axe measures 22cm (9in) long. The cutting edge is made of hardened steel welded to the iron head. The metal allowed the axe to maintain an edge better than iron, and some were even decorated with precious metals. One example of a decorated axe is the Mammen axe, which has gilded axeheads. It was found in a rich grave, and it was decorated with gold and silver inlays.
Lund axe

The Lund axe belongs to the class of dual axes, which were used to combat enemies. It is the most famous example and is the only one of its kind in existence. The head of this axe resembles that of Frankish throwing axes, which were found in Europe long before the Viking age. Perhaps they made their way to the Norse lands during the Viking period. Norse sagas are full of clever axe moves. In one story, Thrandr jumped up to hook the axe head over the wall of the fortification, then pulled himself up by the handle and cut Hrafn's arm. The Eyrbyggja saga does not detail the details of the fortification, but it does describe Thrandr leaping up to hook the axe head over

The axe horns can be used for offensive purposes as well. When slashing, the axe horns are wider than the point of a sword or spear, causing vicious wounds. This is why the Lund axe was so useful in Viking combat. Its horns also make it easier to control than other types of axes. This is why many vikings chose to use it.

In addition, the Lund axe's fore-haft was decorated with a silver knob. This is to reduce the risk of breaking. A silver knob signifies maximum wealth and status. This decorated gift demonstrates the king's favor and gives the receiver importance. In this sense, the Lund axe was used in Viking warfare. Its blades were usually short enough to be hidden behind a shield.

As mentioned, the Lund axe is unique in its form. Its blades are curved in a way that points towards the weapon itself. These axes were also thin and easy to wield. The shafts of these axes were over a metre long and were popular among the Danish Vikings. They were also known as the "Danish" axe. Hence, the name Danish axe is derived from the name of the type.

The earliest known Viking axe is of the Lund type, a wide, iron axehead with a wedge-shaped blade. The blade is comparatively thin, weighing between two and five millimeters in thickness. Its current state can weigh between 370 and 700 grams. This axe, like the Petersen type M, is perfectly designed with its materials evenly distributed. If you are wondering whether the Lund axe is a Viking axe, it is worth looking into.

The original two-handed axes were used quite differently from the ones we have today. The most noticeable difference is the length of the shaft. The original two-handed axes were designed for fighting in the first line of battle without any protection for limbs or body parts. In contrast, modern two-handed axes are based on six axes with long shafts, and ignore the vast majority of axes.