Types of Viking Axes & Identification Using Typologies 

Viking history and culture continues to fascinate us today. Yet much of what we understand about the Vikings is not historically accurate. 

Tv shows, movies, and reenactments are great sources of entertainment, but Norse literature, mythology, and archaeology from the Viking Age (793-1066 AD) helps us piece together what life was really like for the early medieval Vikings. 

We have already covered the Viking sword and its many variations. While the Viking sword is one of the most fascinating artifacts left behind by the Vikings, a more utilitarian but no less important weapon was the Viking axe.

Axes were the most common weapon used by the Vikings and proved useful for both battle and everyday tasks. The simple design of the axe and its portability made the axe a signature weapon of the Vikings.  

Vikings of every social status owned and used axes. They have been recovered in hundreds of Viking graves. Norse sagas also provide evidence of the use of axes in battles throughout the Viking Age. 

Vikings used axes in battle along with swords, spears, seaxes, and shields. 

The axe may seem simple enough to understand because we are all familiar with the basic design and function of this tool. However, the Vikings actually used several types of axe heads which have been categorized by archaeologists. 

These categories come together to create a typology of Viking axes. 

Using Typologies to Study Axes 

One of the most enduring methods of Viking axe identification is the typology. Typologies are essential tools for archaeologists and related professionals. They are defined as “systems for the classification of objects into groups according to traits held in common.” 

Dr. Jan Petersen was one of the first scholars to create typologies of Viking weapons. His most famous typology organizes Viking swords based on their hilt designs. Petersen assigned a letter of the alphabet to different sword designs.

His axe typology works in the same way. Axes are categorized by their head shape, intended use, and time period.  

Petersen’s axe typology remains the standard amongst archaeologists and other experts. R.E.M Wheeler, another influential Viking scholar, also created a Viking axe typology that proves useful. 

For your ease of reading, we will use Petersen’s typology in this article. It follows the same lettering system as his sword typology, so those familiar with that typology will find the axe version easy to follow. 

The typology also has enduring influence on the study of Viking axes and weaponry more broadly. 

Petersen’s Viking Axe Typology

The following are Petersen’s Viking axe types. This typology has been the standard tool for axe identification since its creation in 1919. Although twelve types are listed here, Petersen’s typology can be simplified even further into two main categories of axes: bearded and Danish. 

The first bearded axes date to the early 8th century. They are characterized by a long section of the blade that hangs below the rest of the axe head. The Danish axe is triangular in shape and features a wide, curved blade. 

There are three main identifying parts of an axe head: 

• Spurs- Projections on the top and underside of the axe next to the eye and haft/handle
• Neck- Part of the axe that attaches to a haft/handle. It includes the eye for the handle to be fitted into
• Blade- The sharp edge of the axe. This can vary in shape. 

More information can be found in the book Viking Hersir 793-1066 AD by Mark Harrison and Gerry Embelton. The authors lay out the typology of axes and other weapons used by the Vikings. 

Illustrations for most axe types can be found here.

Type A 

Petersen’s Type A axe features small and symmetrical spurs. They are usually rounded. The axe’s slender neck contracts with a symmetrical and large blade. 

This weapon was used until 840 AD. 

Type B

Type B has pointed yet low-profile spurs and a slender neck. The curved, bearded shape of the blade distinguishes this type. Bearded blades allowed for a wider blade surface while minimizing the overall weight of the weapon. 

The curve of the beard also protected a Viking’s hand if he gripped the axe close to the neck. 

This axe shape was useful in hooking an opponent’s leg or shield. 

This weapon was used between 600 and 840. 

Type C

Type C axes lack spurs but have a large projection at the end of the neck. This axe has a straight blade. Type C axes date from the Roman period to the 900s and are most commonly found in Sweden and Norway. 

 Type D

Type D axes have large and curved spurs, thick necks, and subtle bearded blades.  

 Type E

Petersen’s Type E axe has long spurs and a blade with an asymmetrical curve. This weapon dates from 850 to 1025 AD. 

Type F

Type F axes have longer yet lower spurs than other axes. The symmetry and slight bearded shape of the blade also make this type unique. 

Vikings wielded this type between 900 and 975 AD. 

Type G

Type G axes have long spurs, slender necks, and symmetrical, curved blades. They date from 800 to 950 AD. 

 Type H

Type H axes have larger lower spurs and slender necks. The eye holes of these weapons are generally smaller than other types. 

The blades of Type H axes are asymmetrical. This type of axe was most popular between 900 and 975 AD. 

Type I

Type I is similar to Type H but has generally thicker proportions. The spur, neck, and blade are larger and more exaggerated in shape. This axe dates to between 900 and 1000 AD. 

Type K

Petersen defines the Type K axe by its shallow, rounded spurs, short eye, and long blade. The blade also has a slightly curved shape. This weapon dates to between 900 and 1030 AD. 

Type L

Type L axes were in use from around 940 to 1200. They feature blunted spurs and a long, slightly curved blade. The eye of this axe is particularly unique. 

Type M

Type M axes were used by the Vikings from 940 until the 1200s. The M is a classic Danish shape with steep spurs, a slender neck, and an extremely curved and large blade. 

Danish axe blades measure around 8 to 12 inches wide on average, yet are lightweight. The haft or handle of this axe could measure 3 to 5.5 feet long.