The Viking axe was almost uniquely that - Viking. By the end of the fifth century, the axe had fallen out of favor as a military weapon throughout Europe. Except in Scandinavia. By the 8th century, when Viking raids were in full-swing, the axe had become identified as an almost uniquely Nordic weapon. The three principal types used by the Vikings were:

The skeggøx, or "bearded axe" (my personal favorite - I own one). It was approximately three to four feet long, and the blade or head of the axe had a long-ish "tail" or "beard" on the bottom edge. This was most definitely a two-handed weapon, to be used behind a shield-wall in front of the axe-man.

The second was an indeterminate weapon called a "hand-axe" or "throwing axe", smaller in design. It was also in popular use by the Franks of the 3rd and 4th centuries BCE. It had an oblong, narrow head that was balanced for throwing. Normally, three or more of these would be carried.

The third was the breidøx, or "broad-axe". It had a distinctively curved blade, which usually had a welded-on cutting edge of hardened iron. This edge was typically about 12 inches or so, but according to Wace, in the Laxdaela Saga, some are purported to have measured 18 inches or more...ouchie...


The spear (spjøt), as QS mentioned, was by far the most common Viking weapon, if for no other reason than its inexpensiveness in creation, light weight, and portability. The haft was typically between four and six feet in length, the shorter-hafted versions better suited for throwing. Throwing spears had narrow blades and slim hafts, while thrusting versions had broad, leaf-shaped heads . Blades of both types were often ribbed, sometimes decorated, and universally socketed, sometimes with short "wings" or "lugs" to prevent the blade from penetrating too deeply. Spear-throwing was a highly admirable skill, and King Ólaf Tryggvason was said to have been able to throw two spears simultaneously, one from either hand.

Swords...now we're talkin' Culann's specialty....

Swords were the weapons of Kings and Jarls...they were expensive to make, with Frankish steel being the most popular of the day. A certain mystique was given to these weapons, and they were named with special names, kennings like Brynjubitr ("Byrnie-biter"), Langhvass ("Long-and-sharp"), and Gullinhjalti ("Golden-hilted"). Many times, Viking craftsmen would adorn the swords' hilts with bone, horn, ivory, gold, copper, silver, and niello. The blades would be pattern-welded, and averaged about 32 inches in length.
The single-edged sword, or sax (alternately scramasax) held a brief but popular usage in Norway during the 9th century.
The scabbards for swords were oftimes artwork in and of themselves. The scabbard was usually wood, covered in tooled leather. It also would have a bronze or iron chape (endpiece, over the tip of the blade), and a rust-repellent lining of oiled leather, waxed cloth, or sheepskin with the wool left on. It was worn on the left side, hung from a belt or baldric, which was also highly decorated (in most cases).

Gosh I love weapons.
*grin*