Engraved Viking Axe with Snake Bean Wood

Product Description for Engraved Viking Axe with Snake Bean Wood

Maker: Neels van den Berg, M.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 98382
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 9.75 in.
Cutting edge length: 9.75 in.
Total length: 29.50 in.
Blade height (at heel): 8.75 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.49 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.24 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.13 in.
Item weight: 55.20 oz.
Shipment weight: 61.6 oz.
Blade: Hand forged 1055 and 1070 carbon steels
Handle: Snake bean wood
Sheath: Leather sheath
Description: This full size Viking Axe was forged by Journeyman Smith Neels Van Den Berg of Pretoria, South Africa. Visiting Neels van den Berg's workshop on a recent trip to South Africa with a real treat. His forge is pretty much in the middle of nowhere or at least if you kept driving down the road, that is clearly where it would end. The twisting road travels through veldt populated by zebra. Neels is well known for his war hammers and his spike hawks. In fact, he teaches classes in forging these complex pieces!
The head measures 8-3/4 inches from the back to the cutting face. The head of the axe is forged from 1055 carbon steel for toughness while the blade is forged from 1070 carbon steel for extra edge retention. These steels when combined make a durable, long lasting axe head. A Celtic knot dragon theme has been hand carved into the axe head and inlaid with brass pins. This painstaking process took Neels over a hundred hours to complete the engraving alone! The axe tapers nicely from the eye to a high performance, convex edge. Neel's maker's mark and J.S. are engraved into brass along the top of the axe.
The handle is carved from snake bean wood ( (Bobgunnia madagascariensis) and measures 27-3/4" long. Snake bean is a small deciduous tree that grows in West Africa and Zimbabwe. The wood is very dense and considered to be highly rot and insect resistant. This hard wood is perfect for creating a long lasting axe! The haft is carved toward the top for a secure, comfortable grip. This handle feels every bit as good as it looks!
A leather sheath made by Neels is included to protect the axe head during storage or transportation.
This is exceptional axe that will stand up to use but could easily be the centerpiece in any collection!


Availability: Not currently available