Norwegian Battle Axe

Lee · 11th February 2011, 11:54 AM

Junker, thank you so much for sharing the examples from Seitz. I have not previously seen the second volume and so this is new to me. The German name shown in the caption, bauernaxt, is interesting as it does relate the form to the peasantry. Considering another thread of the moment, I suppose these axes, as prized possessions, are as special to 17th century Norway as the long rifles are to 18-19th century America.

Trond, you know so much more about these than I do and I suspect that you are much more likely than I to come across more examples with original hafts, so, though I will keep my eyes open I suspect you will learn the answer before I. I have found a few more examples pictured on the web and promise to add links to these fairly soon.

Lew · 11th February 2011, 04:55 PM

Lee

What if any is the purpose of the angled mounting of the head. It seems quite awkward for a battle axe

.

Trond · 11th February 2011, 05:21 PM

It actually is rather ingenious. An ordinary axe gives a sharp and powerful stab, but only the one place the axe hits. The Norwegian battle axes both stab and cut as the blade will move downwards due to the angled haft.

See more about them at Norwegian battle axes.

Trond

Lee · 8th May 2017, 01:30 PM

I had been browsing over on myArmoury and came across this thread which in turned led to an earlier related thread but that also included a link to several images of a very similar Norwegian bondeøks to the one at the top of this thread.

I contacted the Maihaugen museum as to whether there might also be such curvature on their axe, as it looked like it might have come from the same workshop and was delighted to receive a reply that the curvature of the hafts (in the 'third' dimension) is indeed an intentional design feature sometimes seen among the type A bondeøks (the type most reminiscent of the 'Viking' style!)

Richard W · 27th June 2017, 08:01 PM

i was under the assumption that the curved handle and angled head were designed for throwing. Wrong?

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 28th June 2017, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard W

i was under the assumption that the curved handle and angled head were designed for throwing. Wrong?

It appears axes were shaped like that for maximum efficiency on target as they inflicted huge damage because of the strike angle and would cause a slashing gaping wound in addition... They were used left handed as that enabled the weapon to be used against the less well defended side of the opponent.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 28th June 2017, 05:25 PM

Please see http://www.hurstwic.org/history/arti...viking_axe.htm

8th May 2017, 01:30 PM	#4
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 932	Question answered I had been browsing over on myArmoury and came across this thread which in turned led to an earlier related thread but that also included a link to several images of a very similar Norwegian bondeøks to the one at the top of this thread. I contacted the Maihaugen museum as to whether there might also be such curvature on their axe, as it looked like it might have come from the same workshop and was delighted to receive a reply that the curvature of the hafts (in the 'third' dimension) is indeed an intentional design feature sometimes seen among the type A bondeøks (the type most reminiscent of the 'Viking' style!)

28th June 2017, 05:25 PM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Please see http://www.hurstwic.org/history/arti...viking_axe.htm Attached Images

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11th February 2011, 11:54 AM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 932	Junker, thank you so much for sharing the examples from Seitz. I have not previously seen the second volume and so this is new to me. The German name shown in the caption, bauernaxt, is interesting as it does relate the form to the peasantry. Considering another thread of the moment, I suppose these axes, as prized possessions, are as special to 17th century Norway as the long rifles are to 18-19th century America. Trond, you know so much more about these than I do and I suspect that you are much more likely than I to come across more examples with original hafts, so, though I will keep my eyes open I suspect you will learn the answer before I. I have found a few more examples pictured on the web and promise to add links to these fairly soon.

11th February 2011, 04:55 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Lee What if any is the purpose of the angled mounting of the head. It seems quite awkward for a battle axe .

11th February 2011, 05:21 PM	#3
Trond Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 30	It actually is rather ingenious. An ordinary axe gives a sharp and powerful stab, but only the one place the axe hits. The Norwegian battle axes both stab and cut as the blade will move downwards due to the angled haft. See more about them at Norwegian battle axes. Trond

27th June 2017, 08:01 PM	#5
Richard W Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Amarillo Texas Posts: 21	i was under the assumption that the curved handle and angled head were designed for throwing. Wrong?