Hello all! So I'm a fairly new weapon collector and have finally gotten around to starting my collection. :D

I figured I'd start with the two weapons I've actually used in LARP and sparring: a one handed warhammer, and a norse bearded axe. Now I've gotten the warhammer, a nice spiked one from Arms and Armor, what I'm looking for now is a bearded norse/viking axe which is proving to be a hassle, I looked over the axes in Arms and Armor, none were very appealing to me. I've looked all over and only two have come to my standards but I know nothing solid about them as nobody has reviewed them.

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=...Viking+Axe A long broad-head axe from Darksword Armoury, does anybody have anything to say about this one?

and

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=...iking+Axe+ An etched short-head axe supposedly from Deepeeka, but I've seen other websites and such selling the exact same axe, unfortunately I don't know the original manufacturer, anybody know anything about this axe or it's manufacturer?

If both are terrible does anybody know where to find a real, high quality axe?

Oh, and a bearded axe should look like this with the squared off lower horn, otherwise it's not a bearded axe as the ones you linked to are not bearded axes.

http://www.myArmoury.com/review_em_beardaxe.html

Or like the Nordland A&A axe:

http://www.myArmoury.com/review_aa_nordlandp.html

This is a fairly small axe but it could be custom made at a larger size and without the blackened finish.

I have one of these and it's a nice one handed axe, but mine was semi-customized by having a higher carbon steel edge hammer welded on and heat treated to a harder edge than the standard Nordland model. Also, mine was left bright and not darkened.

This one also by A&A is bigger with a longer handle but not bearded, it does have a lightness of a fast fighting axe and not the excessive weight of a wood chopping axe: Fighting axes where light and manoeuvrable for fast attacks and recovery.

http://www.arms-n-armor.com/limitededition.html

Scroll down to the " Limited edition " L " type axe. in the link.

Dunno where are you from, but Owen Bush appears to have at least two axes for sale, both much, much better as far as historical accuracy goes

http://owenbush.co.uk/axes-for-sale/

Almost two times more expensive, though, compared to that Darksword one. Dunno if bearded enough. :D

Peter Szabo makes excellent axes and other things. He can make blunted for reenacted or fighting, or sharp, and my axe (type C shown below) arrived very sharp indeed. Also, it didn't take very long, since he makes several and has various axe head shapes.

https://www.facebook.com/PeterSzaboWeaponsmith


I can give you more details if you want, or more pictures, but I would say he is a very good maker. I also got a simple, slim leather sheath for the blade which was a very nice addition.

Otherwise I would work with A&A. They can do anything you want, and are always worth asking to see what a price, etc. might be.

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If you can get it in time on this sale, A&A has a very nice looking Type B on the bottom of their muster page: http://www.arms-n-armor.com/muster.html

It shows at least that you would not be limited to their standard axe. Looks very nice for a single-handed, early bearded style axe. The one I got from Szabo is a slightly later type.

Edited to say:

Since I posted this at 8 am this morning, the A&A axe has been sold. I post the picture from A&A here for posterity since it is not only a good type B axe in itself, it is a good reference maybe for a commission from A&A. Also, both these axes I have shown here are one-handed. I have the A&A Danish Axe, two-hander, and it is a really fine piece. I can only recommend them highly. However, it is a Type M so not bearded. I believe their Type L that Jean linked to can be available either single or double handed, however it is also not bearded.

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Arms and Armor Type B Bearded axe

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Arms and Armor Type B Bearded Axe

I have both the A&A Type B and Type L axes. I like them both - very nicely made. Not as traditional in manufacture as something from Owen Bush, but they'll give you an idea of what this style of axe was like. In terms of handling, the Type B feels very sluggish in comparison to the Type L. (to me)

My Type B is 1lb 11oz while the Type L is 1lb 4oz. (total weights including the hafts) Both have 26" ash hafts.

A&A made my Type B as a custom order. They delivered on time and were a pleasure to deal with. For what they do, I think they are reasonably priced. If you had something different in mind, I'm sure they could accommodate you.