axes-msg - 4/29/17

Viking axes, throwing axes.

NOTE: See also the files: Norse-msg, SCAweapons-msg, knife-throwing-msg, swords-msg, bladesmithing-msg, metals-msg, weapons-msg.

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    Mark S. Harris                  AKA:  THLord Stefan li Rous
                                          Stefan at florilegium.org
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From: corliss at hal.PHysics.wayne.EDU (David J. Corliss)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Viking War Axes
Date: 24 Feb 1994 09:45:30 -0500

Thorfinn Magnussuon asks for information on where to purchase a period viking
war axe....

Well (like most things), there's period, and then there's _period_.

In particular, heavy viking axes were made with an iron head into which was 
set a steel edge. A sheet of iron was wrapped around a bar to form the socket
and welded together almost to the ends of the sheet: the very ends were left
slightly open. A strip of steel (in the better axes, pattern welded steel) was
inserted and and the whole welded together. This left exposed a very fine
cutting edge on a weapon that was mostly iron. Apart from the cost, an 
all-steel head is more likely to crack in use than an iron head, which may
deform slightly but can be reshaped, if neccessary, after its work is done.

One can find axes from several sources that bear a striking resemblance to
viking war axes but are, in fact, made entirely of steel. I have not yet seen
one made the the period fashion. I am sure that someone out there is doing this
process, though, and would love to hear about it. 

Just as an aside, questions of this sort can often be directed to your local
Minister of Sciences: that's one of the things they should be glad to do
(at least, in my opinion). There happens to be a fine MOS in your Shire and
in your Region and I am sure that they would be very helpful.

                                                Beorthwine

  "....So, Thorkil, I need a new axe. Do you know anyone who makes a good one?"

  "Well, Bjorn, I got mine from Eirik over in Trondheim and it's been great. I
  have had this axe for 15 years and I've only replaced the handle three times
  and the head twice!"


From: ayotte at milo.NOdak.EDU (Robert Arthur Ayotte)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Viking War Axes
Date: 26 Feb 1994 01:24:48 -0500
Organization: North Dakota State University ACM, Fargo ND

In article <9402241444.AA02358 at hal.physics.wayne.edu> you wrote:
: Thorfinn Magnussuon asks for information on where to purchase a period viking
: war axe....

: Well (like most things), there's period, and then there's _period_.

: In particular, heavy viking axes were made with an iron head into which was 
: set a steel edge. A sheet of iron was wrapped around a bar to form the socket
: and welded together almost to the ends of the sheet: the very ends were left
: slightly open. A strip of steel (in the better axes, pattern welded steel) was
: inserted and and the whole welded together. This left exposed a very fine
: cutting edge on a weapon that was mostly iron. Apart from the cost, an 
: all-steel head is more likely to crack in use than an iron head, which may
: deform slightly but can be reshaped, if neccessary, after its work is done.

: One can find axes from several sources that bear a striking resemblance to
: viking war axes but are, in fact, made entirely of steel. I have not yet seen
: one made the the period fashion. I am sure that someone out there is doing
: this process, though, and would love to hear about it. 

: Just as an aside, questions of this sort can often be directed to your local
: Minister of Sciences: that's one of the things they should be glad to do
: (at least, in my opinion). There happens to be a fine MOS in your Shire and
: in your Region and I am sure that they would be very helpful.

:                                                 Beorthwine

:   "....So, Thorkil, I need a new axe. Do you know anyone who makes a good one?"

:   "Well, Bjorn, I got mine from Eirik over in Trondheim and it's been great. I
:   have had this axe for 15 years and I've only replaced the handle three times
:   and the head twice!"

	Very good information, and well worth considering.  It leads to the
Smith, and the learning of manufacture.  I like, and will file the 
information for future use.

	To the places to buy Axes that will work for our needs (throwing)
I was informed by a local Dark Ages GOD (Really very well read and researched
in the time of the Viking, Baron Thrym) He found that J.R. Townson (gad 
I am not sure of the spelling) who deal with Rev/Civil/F&I War eara stuff
make a good axe that looks well and functions smoothly from the hand.  It's
also about $24 bucks US.  They have an 800 number, call Dir assistance as
I do not have the number on hand.

Horace


From: corliss at hal.PHysics.wayne.EDU (David J. Corliss)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Oak and ash: a thorny question
Date: 2 Mar 1994 11:39:55 -0500

As an answer to the question: "What wood is used for spear shafts and axe
hafts" in the Viking Age quiz, it was written:

 > Ash or Oak

Allow me to be more specific. We must recall that there are many differents
kinds of ashes and oaks, including cork (oak). The answer should be (my opinion
only): _Black_ Ash (now used for poles for pole vaulting, baseball bats, etc) 
and _White_ Oak. All oaks have natural open spaces in the wood. Some are so
extensive that they leave no strength (see cork, above). In white oak, these
voids are filled with the glue that holds the wood fibers together to form the
tree. Thus, it is exceptionally strong. 

While on the subject, white oak is a pain in the neck to work (by hand) and so
is not used except when neccessary.  Red oak is the variety most commonly found
in this country. In the middle ages, black oak was generally used. However, 
the differences between black oak and red oak are so slight that lumber yards
make no distinction. (Red is New World; black was brought over by early 
colonists.) I am informed that about 10% of all wood sold as "red oak" in the 
U.S. is, in fact, black oak. Thus, red oak should be the oak of choice in our
recreations, except when another is specifically required in a particular 
project. 

            .......... This has been a public service message from the Middle
 Kingdom College of Sciences...........

                                                               Beorthwine


From: Jester.Of.Anglesea at f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Jester Of Anglesea)
Date: 08 Apr 94 14:19:00 -0500
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Frankish axes

        Greetings,

          You're in luck.  I put down my current book and then read
        your message.  A double source quote follows.

        Refering to the battle-axe:  "Although it could be used for
        hand-to-hand combat, it was chiefly a throwing weapon which
        the Franks, according to Procopius, `at a given signal and
        at the first encounter' all threw together at the enemy."
                Philippe Contamine, War in the Middle Ages, pg. 176

        He goes on to give an effective range: 12 meters
          a weight: 1.2 kg
          two lengths: handle: 40 cm, blade: 18 cm
          and notes that varying examples are found in Frankish
            graves beginning in the mid-5th century and ending
            sometime around the 7th century.

                                Jester of Anglesea
                                MKA: Tony Jordan
                                Shire of Rochesburie Mill
                                Atlantia


From: lsteele at mtholyoke.edu (Lisa Steele)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Historical information on axes
Date: 19 Feb 1995 16:07:29 GMT
Organization: Mount Holyoke College

  There is a short article called La Jeu de la Hache, a translated essay 
on medieval judical axe combat. I just loaned my copy, but I think it is 
pulbished by the Antiquarian Society of London.

--Esclarmonde


Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
From: v081lu33 at ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu (TRISTAN CLAIR DE LUNE/KEN MONDSCHEIN)
Subject: Re: How To Use A War Axe
Organization: University at Buffalo
Date: Tue, 28 Feb 1995 18:04:26 GMT

Suze.Hammond at f56.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Suze Hammond) writes:
>Am I right in assuming from the axe itself, and from the armor it was used
>against (heavy plate) that the war axe was used to disable the armor,
>rather than necessarily kill or stun?
>
>It looks to me as a wonderful tool for denting joints into unusability...
>
>Sort of like a can opener in a way...
>
>.... Moreach NicMhaolain

	More or less. War axes were some of the more deadly hand-held weapons,
since they could concentrate the force of the blow into a smaller surface
area. Therefore, they could probably punch through if they hit right. However,
armor was often of a very high grade, and so only dented-- the joints, for
instance. Or, pieces can be pulled off if you hook them right. The concussive
force could alos stun or perhaps cause internal injuries and concussion,
thus opening the for up to a dagger through the ocularium. A long-hafted axe
is also a lever to knock your opponent down. Finally, there's "Armor Bite":
damaged armor in itself is a dager, as jagged metal ends rip your flesh open
as you move, thus opening you up to infection. 
	In conclusion, war axes and hammers were very deadly weapons that
generated quite a bit of force, and could disable an armored man even without
totally destroying the armor.

		--Tristan


From: "Bill Schongar" <bills at lcdmultimedia.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Throwing Axe Questions
Date: 15 Oct 1997 19:19:53 GMT
Organization: The Destek Group, Inc.

Opus T. Penguin <rhkaloge at mtu.edu> wrote
> I am looking to get a throwing axe, but I personally have no idea
> what makes a good axe or a bad axe.  Also, being in the northern
> wastes, mail order is my only option, so I can't even examine
> things up close.  Could anyone give suggestions where I could
> find a good throwing axe, based on quality, price and in period 
> (1300 German, if they even used axes, Viking if not) in that order.

As far as reasonably made and easily available, I like the Starfire throwing
axes. The double-bladed looks more "authentic" than the single-bladed,
due to their proportions and materials. Museum Replicas recently had a
few throwing axes in their catalog as well...

-Bill


From: ctas_dan at ACM.ORG
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Throwing Axe Questions
Date: 15 Oct 1997 18:32:35 GMT

>I am looking to get a throwing axe, but I personally have no idea
>what makes a good axe or a bad axe.  Also, being in the northern
>wastes, mail order is my only option, so I can't even examine
>things up close.  Could anyone give suggestions where I could
>find a good throwing axe, based on quality, price and in period 
>(1300 German, if they even used axes, Viking if not) in that order.
>
>Kedric

  Museum Replica's (Windlass Steelcrafts or Atlanta Cutlery)  1-800-883-8838 

  In their latest catalog there is a german throwing axe (I believe 1300's), all
  steel. reasonable price. Copy of one in a German Museum.
---
   Dan of Hamildoon           SCA since AS IX             CTAS_DAN at acm.org
   Dan Hamilton                                           dch at swbell.net


From: reza gilman <gilmyn at YAHOO.COM>
Date: September 12, 2011 3:26:51 PM CDT
To: CALONTIR at listserv.unl.edu
Subject: Re: [CALONTIR] Axe Vendor Question

I would personaly recommend the Stillman axe from www.ByTheSword.com they are really great axes and at only 20.00 per axe they are completely affordable to both beginner and experienced throwers
HL Blackleg Gilmyn


From: Michael DeStefano <gwydionmaurmatauc at YAHOO.COM>
To: CALONTIR at listserv.unl.edu
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 3:59 AM
Subject: Axe Vendor Question

Original Email:  "I have not been in the SCA very long and I've tried throw weapons which I enjoyed.  I am looking to buy a couple of throw axes from Ragweed Forge and would like any info on this vender.  I never brought anything off the internet so I don't know much about venders (I like to see and touch what I am buying).  I am looking to buy a couple of the French Lady Hawk axes and would like to hear from anyone who has brought them and could tell what they think of them.  I am from the EK the Barony of Carolingia.  Aine Oliphant"  abaltrush at yahoo.com    

If anyone has any information or alternative suggestions please email them & copy the list so we all have the chance to get more stuff! Thank you.  

-Gwydion


From: "Schuster, Robert L." <SchusterRL at UMSYSTEM.EDU>
Date: September 12, 2011 8:27:17 AM CDT
To: CALONTIR at listserv.unl.edu
Subject: Re: [CALONTIR] Axe Vendor Question

When I was running in LH circles Ragweed had a very good reputation for quality and dependability.
I haven't ran in those circles for a few years now but I would bet that the rep still stands true.

Halv


From: Bil Hansberry <bilhansberry at EARTHLINK.NET>
Date: September 12, 2011 6:23:01 PM CDT
To: CALONTIR at listserv.unl.edu
Subject: Re: [CALONTIR] Axe Vendor Question

http://www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/Stillman_Tomahawk_AH-3908.html#aAH_2d3908        This is a better link to the axe he was referring to.
 
William Shadowheart
 

From: Historical Recreation in the Kingdom of Calontir [mailto:CALONTIR at listserv.unl.edu] On Behalf Of reza gilman

Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 3:27 PM

To: CALONTIR at listserv.unl.edu

Subject: Re: [CALONTIR] Axe Vendor Question
 
I would personally recommend the Stillman axe from www.ByTheSword.com they are really great axes and at only 20.00 per axe they are completely affordable to both beginner and experienced throwers
HL Blackleg Gilmyn
 

Subject: Re: Vender info
Posted by: "Maris" mariswell at gmail.com maris_well
Date: Mon Sep 12, 2011 6:53 am ((PDT))

I have thrown with these axes and they are my favorites.  They are quite nice and I would purchase some for myself were I looking to buy right now. They are lighter but still throw nicely.  Ragnar (of Ragweed Forge) has good axes in my opinion.  Several people in my barony enjoy his axes and some of my friends bought axes from him at Pennsic in 2010.  I don't know if he was there in 2011.  If you are newer to throwing, I respectfully suggest that you also purchase a few extra handles.  Even the best made handle will be evaluated as unsafe by the marshall if it is split by the blade of another axe.

Have fun throwing the sharp and pointy things!

Elizabeth

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Edited by Mark S. Harris	axes-msg	Page 7 of 7