Damascus Viking Axe, Hand Forged Bearded Axe with Rosewood Handle

This 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.

Specification

The head

The 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.

The handle

Rosewood 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.

The leather head cover

The 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.

Who it suits

This is the version buyers pick when the axe will be seen, on a wall or a shelf, and still be sharp enough to use.

• Collectors who want hand forged Damascus on dress wood
• Anyone who wants a longer handle for more reach
• Buyers furnishing a wall or a study
• People shopping for a serious gift with a Norse theme

What comes in the box

• The Damascus bearded axe
• The tooled leather head cover
• A care card
• A free laser engraving quote on request

Every piece is different

Every 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.

Looking after it

Wipe 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 care and sharpening page.

Put a name on it

Laser 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 engraving page.

Questions buyers ask

What is a bearded axe? The lower part of the cutting edge hangs below the eye in a long curve.

Why rosewood? It is dark and close grained and takes a fine finish.

What is a wedged eye? The handle is driven through the eye and a wedge spreads the wood tight against the steel.

How do you sharpen an axe? Use a file and a puck, following the existing bevel.

Will my axe look like the photo? No, the pattern and the grain differ on every piece.

How long until it ships and can I return it? Most US orders arrive in 5 to 7 business days. Returns are accepted within 30 days if unused.

For runes on the cheek there is the Damascus bearded axe with the rune etched head, and for a lighter figured wood the Damascus bearded axe on olive wood. More sits in viking axes, in Damascus axes, and in gifts for him.