The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category 'Necessary'. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category 'Other. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category 'Functional'. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category 'Analytics'. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The one-handed Viking axe can also be accurately thrown.Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The one-handed Viking axe and the Viking sword have similar reach, and when both weapons are used together, they make for a fearsome combination. The one-handed Viking axe can be used singly, with a shield, or together with other weapons. If a spear is thrown, or if a warrior drops his shield, the axe can be immediately put to use. Hidden behind a shield, the one-handed Viking axe can be held in the same hand that is holding a shield, making the axe readily available if anything should happen to the other weapon being used. This part of the axe can be used in a hammering action for lethal and non-lethal blows, and was sometimes used to humiliate an opponent.

The backside of the axe head, called the öxarhamar (axe hammer) is the flat metal backside of the axe. It can also push or hook an opponent’s weapon, leaving them open for a strike. The one-handed Viking axe can quickly hook an opponent’s body part, such as leg, arm or neck, and pull an opponent off balance. The axe blade is razor sharp and is easily wielded in all directions to slash, stab and cut. The one-handed Viking axe is light enough to be fast, and balanced enough to be accurate. Many people think that it is harder to fight with an axe than a sword, but in some circumstances, a Viking axe can be more effective than a sword or other edged weapons, as all the force from a Viking axe blow is concentrated into a small section of the blade, giving the axe enough power to cut though armor, helmet or shield. By using this technique, a shield could be forced in a direction away from the opponent, opening up attack possibilities against the opponent’s body, or even pulling or forcing a shield out of an opponent’s grasp. When the edge of an opponent’s shield was hooked by the ‘beard’ of the axe, tremendous leverage could be used to control the shield with the axe. The Bearded Axe projection was used to hook an enemy’s weapon or shield. This type of axe was called the ‘Bearded Axe’. As well as the normal sharp, round-edge type of the axe head, there began to appear combat axes with a square shaped projection at the bottom of the axe head. As the combat potential for the one-handed axe was realized, special axe head shapes were developed. It could be thrown, used to manipulate an opponent and an opponent’s equipment, or swung to deadly effect. It could be used in a variety of clever combat moves and was great for fast attacks.

Being light, fast and well balanced, the one-handed axe showed great versatility when used as a weapon.

Norse battle axe