Forged Viking Bearded Axe with Rune Engraving, 28 in

The Forged Viking Bearded Axe is a full size axe, 28 in (71 cm) overall, with a 6.5 in (16.5 cm) cutting edge and a head of forged carbon steel finished in a dark patina. The blade face is cut with the first eight runes of the Elder Futhark, and a leather head sheath is included.

Details

• Overall length: 28 in (71 cm)
• Cutting edge: 6.5 in (16.5 cm)
• Head width: 6.5 in (16.5 cm)
• Weight: 1.4 kg (3.08 lb)
• Head: forged carbon steel, dark patina finish
• Handle: ash wood, scorched grain, leather knot wrap
• Fittings: copper ferrule and copper butt cap
• Included: leather head sheath with belt loop

The inscription

The blade carries ᚠ ᚢ ᚦ ᚨ ᚱ ᚲ ᚷ ᚹ, the first eight runes of the Elder Futhark: fehu, uruz, thurisaz, ansuz, raido, kenaz, gebo, wunjo. These are the runes that give the alphabet its name, f, u, th, a, r, k.

Carving the futhark row itself was one of the most common inscriptions on real Viking Age objects. It appears on weapons, combs, bracteates and grave goods across Scandinavia, and it was understood as invoking the whole rune set at once rather than spelling out a sentence. That is why it is sold as a row of runes and not as a translated phrase.

The runes are cut after the dark patina is applied, so the metal inside each stroke stays bare bright steel. The contrast against the patinated face is the whole effect: no paint, no inlay, no filler. You can look up any rune on the rune translator, and see the rest of the range in Engraved Viking Axes.

Care

Carbon steel is not stainless. Wipe the head dry after use and after any contact with damp, and keep a light film of oil on it in storage. The patina is a protective finish, so do not polish it off. In humid conditions, store the axe outside its sheath.

Each axe is finished by hand, so grain, scorch pattern and patina vary slightly from piece to piece.