What weapons and Armour did Vikings use?

In battle Vikings fought on foot. They wore iron helmets, chain mail armour, and carried swords, axes, spears and wooden shields. Vikings were also skilled with bows and arrows. The weapons were made with iron, and often decorated with inlaid, or encrusted silver or copper.

What was the rarest Viking weapon?

Ulfberht swords
Type Sword
Production history
Produced 9th to 11th centuries
Specifications

What did Vikings wear for armor?

Vikings who could afford to wear armor used helmets, metal armor made of chainmail, and a type of armor called lamellar, which consisted of iron plates sewn together. Lower-status Vikings also used layers of quilted cloth, such as linen or wool, to protect the body during battle.

What was the most common weapon for a Viking?

The spear was the most common weapon of the Viking warrior. They consisted of metal heads with a blade and a hollow shaft, mounted on wooden shafts of two to three metres in length, and was typically made from ash wood.

Did Vikings prefer axes or swords?

Axe. The most common hand weapon among Vikings was the axe – swords were more expensive to make and only wealthy warriors could afford them. The prevalence of axes in archaeological sites can likely be attributed to its role as not just a weapon, but also a common tool.

Did Vikings use Damascus steel?

Early Viking swords were forged from layers of iron interwoven with strands of steel to produce a very tough sword. Although iron was a tougher material than bronze it would frequently bend. Damascus, or pattern welded steel, was used to make the blade strong enough to withstand the rigors of combat.

How much is a Ulfberht sword worth?

Buy the Viking Ulfberht Swords for $299.99. The Viking Iron Side Swords are 36 ½ inches long. These functional swords feature a sharpened 30 ¼ inch blade that is crafted in 1075 high carbon steel. The hand-polished blade is 0.2 inches thick and is heated treated to a hardness of 50-55 Rockwell C.

Did Vikings have steel weapons?

Viking blacksmiths used a new technique, combining pure iron for the middle of the blade and steel along the edges. The steel often contained just a few, flat pieces of slag, indicating that it had been worked over a longer time than the pure iron.

What is a Viking AXE called?

A bearded axe, or Skeggøx (from Old Norse Skegg, “beard”, and øx, “axe”) refers to various axes, used as a tool and weapon, as early as the 6th century AD. It is most commonly associated with Viking Age Scandinavians.

Did Vikings prefer swords or axes?