axes-msg - 12/13/99
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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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
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