{"product_id":"hand-forged-viking-axe-rune-etched","title":"Hand Forged Viking Axe, Damascus Bearded Axe with Rune Etched Head","description":"\u003cp\u003eA bearded axe is the Norse pattern where the lower part of the cutting edge hangs below the eye in a long curve. This one is hand forged in Damascus, with Elder Futhark runes cut into the cheek and an ash handle, 19 inches overall with a 6 inch head and a 5.3 inch cutting edge. It splits kindling at camp, and plenty buy it for the rune etched head.\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\u003e19 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHandle length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHandle wood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAsh\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 pattern, mirror bright bevel, Elder Futhark runes\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 run across the cheek, with the bevel polished mirror bright. Elder Futhark runes are cut into that cheek. The beard drops below the eye, which is how a 6 inch head carries a 5.3 inch cutting edge, and the hollow behind it lets you choke up close to the bevel. The trade is the core. It is carbon, so the head darkens with use and rusts if it goes away wet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe handle\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe handle is ash at 13 inches, the standard axe wood and the one most Norse axes are hung on. Ash grows straight grained and springy, so it takes the shock of a strike and passes only part of it into your hand. A denser wood hits back harder. The handle is driven through the eye and a wedge is driven into the top of it, spreading the wood tight against the steel. Grain and color shift from one handle to the next.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe leather head cover\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe cover is cut for this head, so the bevel sits in it snug. 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 stays clear of the steel. Every stitch goes in by hand. The face is hand tooled with carved Norse knotwork inside a carved border, cut and shaded rather than printed. Most sellers stop at the words genuine leather. This is the rest of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho it suits\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is the shape people mean when they ask for a viking axe, and the runes make it a display piece that still cuts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone who wants a Norse pattern axe that gets used\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCampers splitting kindling and cutting tent pegs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors buying hand forged Damascus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeople furnishing a wall or a mantel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSomeone shopping for a Norse themed gift\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 come out alike. The Damascus pattern never repeats, the ash grain runs its own way, 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 put it away 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 handle 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\u003eWhat is the beard for?\u003c\/strong\u003e It gives a long edge on a light head and lets you grip close behind it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are the runes?\u003c\/strong\u003e Elder Futhark runes, cut into the cheek. We do not attach a meaning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy ash?\u003c\/strong\u003e Ash is straight grained and springy, so it takes the shock instead of your hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this steel rust?\u003c\/strong\u003e It can, since the core is carbon. Dry it after use and oil it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the head tight?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, the handle is wedged into the eye. Check it before every use.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe same shape in 5160 spring steel is the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/viking-bearded-axe-carbon-steel-ash\"\u003ecarbon steel bearded axe on ash\u003c\/a\u003e, and in rosewood it is the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/damascus-viking-axe-rosewood\"\u003eDamascus bearded axe\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\/axes-hatchets\"\u003eaxes and hatchets\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Viper Edge USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44134744031350,"sku":"VEF-AXE-DAM-BRD-401","price":249.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/2427\/9670\/files\/damascus-viking-bearded-axe-rune-etched-ash_348fc5ce-695a-4620-ae62-a8a01216c08d.jpg?v=1788742106","url":"https:\/\/viperedgeforge.com\/products\/hand-forged-viking-axe-rune-etched","provider":"Viper Edge USA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}