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Rich Knack




Location: Charlevoix, MI
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PostPosted: Sun 23 Dec, 2012 3:33 pm    Post subject: Petersen axe types?         Reply with quote

Is there a currently available chart online (or on a forum member's computer...) documenting the different Viking axe types and their characteristics, according to Petersen? I just purchased a Type "B" axe from SBG forum member "Fallen", since I loved the looks of it (he makes other types as well), and it got me interested in learning about the differences between the different axe types. I have searched the older threads, but most of the links in them are now dead.

While I am on the subject of Viking weapons, I am also trying to find a downloadable English translation of De Norske Vikingswerde. Again, searched the older threads and the links seem to be dead.

"Those who 'beat their swords into plows', will plow for those who don't."
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Michael Harley




Location: Melbourne, Australia
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PostPosted: Sun 23 Dec, 2012 4:18 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hi Rich, this is the only English translation I've ever come across:

http://www.vikingsword.com/petersen/

Hopefully they'll finish it one day.

Information is not knowledge, Knowledge is not wisdom, Wisdom is not truth - Frank Zappa
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Scott Woodruff





Joined: 30 Nov 2005
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PostPosted: Sun 23 Dec, 2012 4:33 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

This should help- http://www.vikverir.no//ressurser/books_artic...esverd.pdf
I don't speak Norwegian, but I can help with some translation.
Link to SBG thread: http://forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic...4825540220

This is a real quick summary from memory. The types really blend into one another and many axes are hard to classify in a certain type.
A- small, symmetrical shaft section, subtle lugs, narrow, symmmetrical bit
B- similar to A but bearded
C- straight top edge, extreme beard, narrow shaft section, lugs subtle and on bottom only
D- bearded, more accentuated lugs
E- like a cross between D and M
F- similar to E but narrower bit and long bottom angle of beard in proportion to curved section
G- similar to A but with more pronounced lugs
H- similar to G, but with asymmetrical lugs
I- a chunkier type, more like a work axe
L and M- serious "Dane axe" types
Here is link to thread with much discussion of these last 2 types- http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...mp;start=0
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Rich Knack




Location: Charlevoix, MI
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PostPosted: Sun 23 Dec, 2012 5:31 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Yep, I got my axe from the same guy that made the ones in the SBG thread that you linked to. He sent it out yesterday, so hopefully I will have it before the New Year...
"Those who 'beat their swords into plows', will plow for those who don't."
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Luka Borscak




Location: Croatia
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PostPosted: Mon 24 Dec, 2012 6:57 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hey Rich, pm me your e-mail and I'll send you pdf document about Petersen axe typology...
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Rich Knack




Location: Charlevoix, MI
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PostPosted: Mon 24 Dec, 2012 8:43 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Thanks! PM sent...
"Those who 'beat their swords into plows', will plow for those who don't."
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Nils Anderssen




Location: Drammen, Norway
Joined: 08 Dec 2005

Posts: 61

PostPosted: Mon 24 Dec, 2012 12:21 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

To my knowledge there is no English version of Petersen's book, only Norwegian and Russian. I am not sure if the Russian one has been published. I know Elling Polden, who is also hanging around on this forum, made a English translation of the axe (and maybe the spear) section of the book a couple of years ago. I will try to add that to the Vikverir side with the next update (which should be soon).

If you need any help with the translation please do not hesitate to ask.

Another good tip by the way is Vegard Vike and Kim Hjardar's new book "Vikinger i Krig" (Vikings at War).
http://www.spartacus.no/index.php?ID=Bok&ID2=581

Vegard has a section in the book about Viking weapons which I highly can recommend... but the sad thing is that it is only in Norwegian. I hope there will be a translation of it soon since it is a really good book. On the bright side there is many good pictures in it Wink

I will post on this forum if there are any news on the translation.
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Elling Polden




Location: Bergen, Norway
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PostPosted: Wed 26 Dec, 2012 12:44 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Embarisingly enough, I had managed to delete my translation of the axe typology from my computer. But, after some poking around, I managed to retrieve it from a friend.

Nils will be adding them to the Vikverir Archive shortly.

"this [fight] looks curious, almost like a game. See, they are looking around them before they fall, to find a dry spot to fall on, or they are falling on their shields. Can you see blood on their cloths and weapons? No. This must be trickery."
-Reidar Sendeman, from King Sverre's Saga, 1201
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Rich Knack




Location: Charlevoix, MI
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PostPosted: Wed 26 Dec, 2012 6:44 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Got my type B axe from "Fallen" today. Not 100% traditional construction, as the eye is a separate sleeve welded onto the rest of the axe head, but very solid and it is a good looking and wicked cutter! It is a two-hander, by the way, though not nearly as long as a "Dane axe".



"Those who 'beat their swords into plows', will plow for those who don't."
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Matthew Harrington




Location: laska
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PostPosted: Wed 26 Dec, 2012 9:49 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Rich Knack wrote:
Got my type B axe from "Fallen" today. Not 100% traditional construction, as the eye is a separate sleeve welded onto the rest of the axe head, but very solid and it is a good looking and wicked cutter! It is a two-hander, by the way, though not nearly as long as a "Dane axe"


Looks more like a type c too me, still, a nice axe indeed.
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Rich Knack




Location: Charlevoix, MI
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PostPosted: Thu 27 Dec, 2012 6:20 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

It's not as straight across the top as a "C" typically is.
"Those who 'beat their swords into plows', will plow for those who don't."
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Scott Woodruff





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PostPosted: Thu 27 Dec, 2012 7:37 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

This axe does not quite fit any of the Petersen types. There are some Vendel period axes that somewhat resemble it. Unfortuneatly I can't find the pics right now.
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Rich Knack




Location: Charlevoix, MI
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PostPosted: Thu 27 Dec, 2012 7:43 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Ah, well, 100% authentic or not, it's still a wicked chopper!
"Those who 'beat their swords into plows', will plow for those who don't."
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Luka Borscak




Location: Croatia
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PostPosted: Thu 27 Dec, 2012 8:29 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Rich Knack wrote:
Got my type B axe from "Fallen" today. Not 100% traditional construction, as the eye is a separate sleeve welded onto the rest of the axe head, but very solid and it is a good looking and wicked cutter! It is a two-hander, by the way, though not nearly as long as a "Dane axe".


Actually, having the eye of the axe welded to the rest of the body is quite historically accurate. Happy
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Rich Knack




Location: Charlevoix, MI
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PostPosted: Thu 27 Dec, 2012 10:03 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Didn't know that - learn something new every day!

Would a 29-3/4" handle be considered a two-handed axe, albeit a short one? Cutting edge is 4-3/4" long. The whole thing seems a bit heavy to use one-handed with any skill or accuracy, but then again, I'm not a viking warrior who has trained with armor and weapons since childhood, either...

"Those who 'beat their swords into plows', will plow for those who don't."
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Luka Borscak




Location: Croatia
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PostPosted: Thu 27 Dec, 2012 10:08 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

How heavy is it? By the length it should be a dedicated single handed axe to use with a shield.
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Rich Knack




Location: Charlevoix, MI
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PostPosted: Thu 27 Dec, 2012 10:20 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Luka Borscak wrote:
How heavy is it? By the length it should be a dedicated single handed axe to use with a shield.


About 3.6 pounds.

"Those who 'beat their swords into plows', will plow for those who don't."
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Luka Borscak




Location: Croatia
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PostPosted: Thu 27 Dec, 2012 10:30 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Well, that is heavy. My 4 foot dane axe is slightly over 3lb.
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