Vikings! They are back!!!!!!!

Status
Not open for further replies.
I've slightly tweaked the OP above to make this on topic for NFW. For further clarification, discussing the show in general is off topic, and such posts will be deleted. However, posts specifically discussing the arms and armor featured in the show, or other Norse and Norse enemy weapons of the Viking era are on topic for this forum.

So, let's keep this on topic and have a little fun. Let's use the History Channel show Vikings to spark a discussion of some very cool edged weapons. I know very little about the specifics of these weapons, but I think they look cool, so this could be very educational for me.
 
Last edited:
Spears were the Norseman's friend, IIRC, as Norway is metal poor in general. I've seen some VERY interesting documentaries on swords, the best being Reclaiming the Blade, makes me wish I had the time and money to invest in learning European sword fighting techniques.
 
Weapons training is on topic!

Spears were the Norseman's friend, IIRC, as Norway is metal poor in general. I've seen some VERY interesting documentaries on swords, the best being Reclaiming the Blade, makes me wish I had the time and money to invest in learning European sword fighting techniques.
Click to expand...

Ah, but you can! HEMA is available all over the country. The great news is this is a martial art that includes combatives, dagger, sword, ax, spear and so forth. They are recreating the fighting arts from as early as the 13th century.

Here's one in Phoenix, but there are others around.
http://phoenixsocietyofhistoricalswordsmanship.webs.com/

You can start out with nothing but a stick and move up from there.

It also turns out there are many original manuals available to read ONLINE for free!

http://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Masters

Take a look at this one:
http://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Johannes_Liechtenauer

Lessons on the English Longsword is a good one and is available from Amazon.

Google around and you'll find blogs, events and all sorts of stuff.

Not to mention swords to drool over from Albion and Arms & Armor (the best production makers of swords based on real thing. Buying a "beater" sword for $150 doesn't cut it; they're clunky and do not have proper rhythm. These makers research original swords and duplicate them so they swing properly. This is exceptionally important; balance is mostly unimportant.)

The Cluny Sword from Albion

Swords from Arms & Armor

Here's a Viking sword for the OP:

The Valkyrja
 
Last edited:
Axe and you shall receive!
4995-produktinfo.jpg

http://www.gransforsbruk.com/en/products/gransfors-ancient-axes/
 
Neat!

I've attended hammer-ins where axes/hawks were forged and I've seen the first two methods of forging the head/eye. I'd not known about the one where the back was forge welded to form the eye.
 
The only thing I don't quite understand is the affinity for the bearded fighting ax for several century's.

I understand it would be lighter and faster.
I understand it offers a wider cutting edge for less weight.

But it seems to me the downside would be, much easer to hook behind it with another ax or spear shaft and jerk it out of your hand?

Regardless of all that, I'm glad I was born in a later age.
Getting shot or blown up in battle the modern way seems to be a kinder gentler way to die.

Without all the bad breath & under-arm BO in your face thinking about it while bleeding out.

Hand to hand combat with those types of weapons took some real intestinal fortitude just to show up!

rc
 
Last edited:
RC, are you actually telling me we're distant relations in the same tribe ?

"Fra sine våpen på den åpne veien, bør ingen mann trinn en tempo unna."
 
What strikes me about the show is the prevalence of spears and axes and the relative rarity of swords. Even the main character Ragnar Lothbrok, a jarl and renowned hero, fights with hand axes.
 
See post #5 about that.

I believe metal for swords was a pretty scarce commodity there at the time.

Ax's and spear heads didin't use as much steel they didn't have an unlimited resource of.

One could also surmise a long sword might be a little unwieldy and in the way on a 8' - 10" wide Viking long ship.

One good swing might cut your sail rigging off.
Or your shipmates head or arm.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Moragsoorm.jpg

Rc
 
Last edited:
Swords used a lot of material and had really only one use, battle. Axes and spears, OTOH, that were tuned for battle also had other applications in hunting and sailing. Dual use, even if optimized for killing. I'm certain that there are axes so refined for battle that they weren't practical for other light chopping tasks, but I expect they weren't as common as the dual use ones.
 
I understand that most men would have used axes. But Ragnar isn't most men. He's a jarl, a man of considerable wealth and standing. He's been on raids, fought and come out victorious where swords would've been among the spoils of battle. His wife, the shieldmaiden Lagertha, has a sword. You'd think Ragnar would wield one, even if its main use was as a status symbol.

I know I'm over thinking this. It's probably as simple as Ragnar fighting with the weapon he is most familiar and comfortable with.
 
probably as simple as Ragnar fighting with the weapon he is most familiar and comfortable with.
Click to expand...

Makes the most sense. We certainly would use what we're best with.
 
Last edited:
ugaarguy Thanks for immediately saving this thread as I'm a fan of the show and would love to hear member's take on the accuracy of the equipment shown in it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

F
  • Locked
Viking Weapons In Ireland (Videos)
Replies
6
Views
909
krupparms
K
Corpral_Agarn
  • Locked
How did Smaller folks fight back in the day?
2 3 4
Replies
79
Views
5K
4v50 Gary
4v50 Gary
G
  • Locked
Maybe looking for a good inexpensive sword
Replies
16
Views
1K
Trebor
T
S
  • Locked
Review & Range Report > Baikal MP446 Viking >> Definitely from Russian with Love :)
Replies
11
Views
5K
SA
S
R
  • Locked
Need help ID'ing shingling hatchet
2 3
Replies
59
Views
4K
rcmodel
R
Back
Top