{"product_id":"damascus-viking-axe-rosewood","title":"Damascus Viking Axe, Hand Forged Bearded Axe with Rosewood Handle","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is the Norse bearded pattern in Damascus, hung on rosewood at 21 inches overall. The head is 6 inches long with a 5.3 inch cutting edge, and the 15 inch handle gives you more reach and more swing behind that edge. Rosewood is a dress wood, dark and close grained and heavier than ash, so this one goes to buyers who want the axe seen as well as used.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecification\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHead length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCutting edge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.3 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOverall length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e21 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHandle length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHandle wood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRosewood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHead steel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDamascus over high carbon core\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHead finish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEtched layer pattern, mirror bright bevel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHead cover\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTooled leather, belt loop and snap\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEngraving\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 dollars per piece\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMade in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eForged and finished by hand in High Point, North Carolina.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarranty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifetime warranty against defects, free sharpening for life.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe head\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe head is Damascus, pattern welded over a high carbon core and etched so the light and dark layers show on the cheek, with the bevel polished mirror bright. The beard hangs below the eye in a long curve, which is how a 6 inch head carries a 5.3 inch cutting edge, and it leaves an open hollow where your hand goes for close work. The trade sits under the pattern. The core is carbon steel, so the head darkens with use and will rust if it is left wet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe handle\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eRosewood is one of the dress woods, dark and close grained, and it takes a finish that ash never will. It is denser and heavier than ash, which puts more weight behind the swing and sends more shock back to your hand. That is the fair trade for the way it looks. At 15 inches there is plenty of handle to hold. It is driven through the eye and wedged from the top, spreading the wood tight against the steel.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe leather head cover\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe cover is cut for this head, so nothing rattles and the bevel stays covered. The leather is vegetable tanned. A belt loop is stitched to the back, a strap with a snap closes over the top, and a welt is sewn into the edge so the stitching sits clear of the steel. The stitching is done by hand. The face is hand tooled with a carved oak leaf and acorn pattern inside a stamped border, cut and shaded rather than printed. Most sellers stop at the words genuine leather.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho it suits\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is the version buyers pick when the axe will be seen, on a wall or a shelf, and still be sharp enough to use.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors who want hand forged Damascus on dress wood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone who wants a longer handle for more reach\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuyers furnishing a wall or a study\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeople shopping for a serious gift with a Norse theme\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat comes in the box\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Damascus bearded axe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe tooled leather head cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA care card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA free laser engraving quote on request\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eEvery piece is different\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery head is forged, ground and finished by hand, so runs stay small and no two are the same. The Damascus pattern never repeats, the rosewood figure is its own, and the tooling varies. Yours will not match the photographs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eLooking after it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWipe the head dry after use and never store it wet. The gray patina is normal and protects the steel. Sharpen with a file and a puck or a stone, following the existing bevel. Oil the head before storage and the rosewood now and then, since a dry handle shrinks and a loose head is dangerous. Check the head is tight before every use. More in our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/knife-care-sharpening\"\u003ecare and sharpening page\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePut a name on it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLaser engraving is 20 dollars per piece, added on this page. Around 30 characters fits on a head or along the handle. We send a proof image before the laser runs, and it adds 3 to 5 business days. Clean line art engraves cleanly, photographs do not. Free on orders of 10 pieces or more. See the \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/engraving\"\u003eengraving page\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eQuestions buyers ask\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a bearded axe?\u003c\/strong\u003e The lower part of the cutting edge hangs below the eye in a long curve.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy rosewood?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is dark and close grained and takes a fine finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a wedged eye?\u003c\/strong\u003e The handle is driven through the eye and a wedge spreads the wood tight against the steel.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do you sharpen an axe?\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a file and a puck, following the existing bevel.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill my axe look like the photo?\u003c\/strong\u003e No, the pattern and the grain differ on every piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long until it ships and can I return it?\u003c\/strong\u003e Most US orders arrive in 5 to 7 business days. Returns are accepted within 30 days if unused.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor runes on the cheek there is the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hand-forged-viking-axe-rune-etched\"\u003eDamascus bearded axe with the rune etched head\u003c\/a\u003e, and for a lighter figured wood the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/damascus-viking-axe-olive-wood\"\u003eDamascus bearded axe on olive wood\u003c\/a\u003e. More sits in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/viking-axes\"\u003eviking axes\u003c\/a\u003e, in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/damascus-axes\"\u003eDamascus axes\u003c\/a\u003e, and in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/gifts-for-him\"\u003egifts for him\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Viper Edge USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44134757433462,"sku":"VEF-AXE-DAM-BRD-403","price":229.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/2427\/9670\/files\/damascus-viking-bearded-axe-rosewood-handle_7b9e9d35-8d0f-4309-abf1-0f0f2e56bb22.jpg?v=1788742095","url":"https:\/\/viperedgeforge.com\/products\/damascus-viking-axe-rosewood","provider":"Viper Edge USA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}