Baltoslavic Axe

AAAA
PRICE

$290.00

Hand Forged Baltoslavic Axe:

Copies of Baltoslavic Rus axes that were designed and used as battle axes.  Very light (under 500 grams) and made to be wielded with one hand. 

These axes were in use from the late 9th century through the 11th century.  Most artifacts have a very distinctive hole in the blade of the axe.  There are several thoughts on what purpose this hole may have served but the most common theory is it was to secure a cover for the sharpened bit.  Many examples have been found with stamped decorations or even having precious metal (mainly silver) inlaid patterns on them. They are found all thoughout the Baltic Region and Scandinavia (mainly Sweden, some in Denmark and a few finds in Norway) and even Constantinople where many Rus and Scandinavian's served as the emperor's personal guard.  All Rus fighting axes (and many from the region) utilize a round eye.  We know from several well preserved finds from the region that they would utilize a good sturdy sampling or branch to make a quickly fashioned and sturdy handle. 

In the 10th-12th centuries this region bordered the area between Kievan Rus (largely Viking age (and a bit prior) Scandinavian's that settled along the trade routes to the Black Sea and beyond) and the mighty nomadic tribes, such as Khazars, Pechenegs, Cumans and others. In the 14th - 17th centuries, after the Mongol conquest (13th century), this rich and beautiful land became unsettled due to the constant warfare between the native Slavic population and the nomadic tribes.

Many of Maxym's axes are faithful replications of the axes once that were wielded by these mighty warring tribes.

These are hand forged using no power tools (except for final edge sharpening), all done in traditional manner without use of power hammers or presses.  Each handle is individually crafted using the highest grade permium-quality Ash wood.