What's Up With Viking Bearded Axes?

[sethparker]

Bearded axes were likely used to pull shields down from an enemy shield wall.

[TiconderogaPencil]

I always assumes that it was for hooking shields and things along those lines. I never even considered the part about choking up for woodworking

[NotebookVA]

I love how for honor let’s the character with dual bearded axes use them as improvised knuckledusters

[moshpitmachine]

Ive always carried a bearded axe in the woods. Used it for everything from feathering sticks for fires to building shelters. It's a lighter weight than the average axe with more cutting power and a more forward balance. Like you said choking up adds more versatility and it acts similar to an ulu knife when used like that. I also use bearded axes as my primary axe for throwing in my local league. That forward weight makes them damn good throwers

[silamaleesri]

Not sure about war axes but for wood chopping axes the beard helps from over striking. If you over strike with a bearded axe the beard catches the log anyway and protects the handle

[swankierSpy]

Also probably cheaper since the less materials

[quinncykaluzniak]

Not just for woodworking, used em for chopping herbs and shaving meat, a very well made utility weapon that can be made in a way where you only need the head, and a good sized sapling

[NatetheNerdy]

Another thing is they come to sharper points at the ends of the blade than a regular axe, and if you have a point you can stab.

[Wastelandman]

Plus you can use the point on the top of the blade to stab at people's faces and the hammer pol to smash them into the ground. Once you get to know it, its a very versatile weapon.

[rokka]

As a smith, it's easier and faster to make a lighter 'eye' of the axe and eventually insert a forgewelded higher carbon steel edge as the beard with trying to use limited material like wrought iron. They could carburize/case harden it to make into high carbon steel, yeah, but it's still less material. Earlier forms of iron axes were 'pipe axes' also, which was a thing in the bronze age, rather than having the 'eye' more commonly later.

[BaconSpaceProgram]

I need to play Mass Effect with axes 😎🤣

[Dav]

U forgot to mention the most important part of why they were made in mass production and why they were so famous





Its because they could save more metal by making it bearded back in the day metal was way more expensive henceforth owning metal tools/weaponry was a high luxury only the rich people could afford it so yeah it made more sense to keep this particular design of axes at the day

[worldtraveler]

No one's mentioned it Just Looks Exceptionally Cool!!! 🤠👍

[Wastelandman]

Another thing people forget is if you use the axe two handed your off hand will be at least somewhat protected behind the beard. Important as it will be closest to the enemy.

[nathanielcowan]

They're great for bush craft. You just need to use them properly like not splitting firewood or chopping specifically on the beard portion of the axe head

[SamlSchulze]

As a person who didn't have a bearded ax to help clean up the cut branches in the backyard, it would've been very useful at helping to grab the limbs without bending down so far.

[davidwooden]

Love my Cold Steel Viking Hand Axe. But I think I need to shorten the handle, it's a much different arc from a regular tomahawk with the stock handle length

[Tonkarai]

I actually got the railroad spike cleaver from three wee vikings a year ago! It is cool to see them get a shoot out.

[mr.moonthegoon]

Plus its better to have a small object going faster than a big object going slower. Speed is multiplicative, weight is additive. Also smaller surface area = more force in smaller spot, big damage

[preyous]

I actually appreciate this and would love more on this. I do roleplay as well as d&d, and one of my characters uses an axe just like this despite being built for hand to hand combat.

I'll likely put this to use.