FAQ – ForgeViking

FAQS

About Our Axes

Functional. Every axe we forge is a working tool — hand-sharpened, tested on wood, and built to be used. Many of our customers display their axes, and they absolutely work for display, but that's not what they're made for. If you want an heirloom-grade tool that happens to look beautiful on a wall when it isn't in your hand, you're in the right place.

A bearded axe (like the Ægishjálm) has a long, swept lower edge — the "beard" — that extends below the eye. This gives a longer cutting edge with less head weight, and allows a choked grip up close for fine work. A Dane axe (like the Berserker) has a broader, more symmetrical head with more mass toward the blade, designed for heavy chopping and splitting. Bearded axes are carvers and camp tools; Dane axes are workhorses.

If you want an everyday carving and camp axe with protective runework, choose the Ægishjálm. If you want a ceremonial piece that also works — heavier, darker, with a carved raven pommel — choose the Huginn. If you want a rugged working axe built for splitting, felling, and heavy camp work, choose the Berserker. If you're still unsure, email us and describe how you'll use it. We'll tell you which one belongs in your hand.

Our axes are hand-forged using traditional Scandinavian blacksmithing techniques and patterned after historical axes from the Viking era (roughly 8th–11th century). We are not recreating exact museum replicas — we are continuing the tradition. The geometry, construction method, and materials are consistent with working axes of that period. What you won't find here is pop-culture fantasy work or movie replicas.

Ordering & Shipping

We keep a limited stock of our standard axes ready to ship. In-stock orders ship the same day and typically arrive within 3–5 business days. If you add customization — engraving on the axe head, handle, or box — add 1 day of work. If you order a handmade wooden gift box, add up to 2 days. Shipping times vary by location: 3–5 business days within the US & Canada, 7–14 business days internationally. We send email updates at each stage so you always know where your order is.

Yes, we ship worldwide. International orders may be subject to customs duties and import taxes in the destination country — these are the buyer's responsibility and vary by region. If customs contacts you about import fees, contact us and we'll help you navigate it. Axes are legal to import and own in almost every country, but some regions restrict certain blade lengths — please check your local laws before ordering.

Each axe ships with the edge sheathed in hand-stitched leather, then wrapped in protective paper, secured in foam padding, and boxed in a double-walled shipping carton. If you ordered a wooden gift box, the axe ships inside the gift box, which is then packed in a larger outer carton for shipping protection. Every package is tracked and insured.

Hand-forging cannot be rushed — the steel requires specific heat cycles and rest periods that we will not cut short. That said, if you have a hard deadline (a birthday, wedding, or gift date), email us before ordering. If we can prioritize your axe in the queue, we will. We are honest about timelines and won't promise what we can't deliver.

Customization

We offer five customization layers: (1) axe head engraving — name, date, initials, or short phrase up to 15 characters; (2) handle engraving — text, runes, or your choice of pre-designed symbols (Vegvísir, Ægishjálmur, Mjölnir, Yggdrasil, Valknut); (3) wooden gift box in three finishes (natural, dark stain, or charred); (4) box lid engraving — text or your uploaded artwork; (5) inner lid personal message up to 150 characters. Use our gift configurator to see it all previewed live.

Yes. Our gift configurator accepts image uploads up to 5MB in PNG, JPG, or SVG format. We engrave your artwork as faithfully as possible — complex photographs may be simplified for clean engraving. If you're having trouble with the upload, email your image to us with your order number and we'll take care of it. Plain line art and logos engrave best.

Yes. If you want something beyond what our configurator offers — a different axe profile, specific runic inscriptions, a particular wood species, or a unique presentation — place a standard order and reply to your order confirmation with your requirements. We'll work with you personally to design and forge exactly what you want. Commission timelines depend on complexity, typically 5–8 weeks.

Each of our axes has a specific handle wood chosen for its performance match with that axe's geometry and weight — hickory for working axes, oak for the Huginn. If you want a different wood species (walnut, cherry, ash), this is a commission request rather than a standard configurator option. Email us with your preference and we'll quote the difference in cost and timeline.

Care & Use

Use a two-step process: a coarse diamond or whetstone (300–400 grit) to re-set the edge if it has rolled or chipped, then a fine stone (1000+ grit) to polish. Follow the existing bevel angle — don't change it. For routine maintenance, a leather strop with polishing compound keeps the edge working-sharp between sharpenings. Never use a power grinder — the heat destroys the temper. If you'd rather not sharpen it yourself, send it back and we'll do it free (you pay return shipping).

Three rules: (1) wipe the head with a dry cloth after every use; (2) apply a thin coat of food-safe mineral oil, camellia oil, or gun oil every few months, more often in humid climates; (3) never store the axe damp or in the leather sheath for long periods — leather holds moisture against the steel. If you get surface rust, remove it with fine steel wool or a brass brush and re-oil immediately. A patina (dark, even discoloration) is normal and actually protects the steel.

Wood handles can shrink in dry conditions, especially during winter heating months. If the head feels loose, soak the head-end of the handle in water for 24 hours to swell the wood. If that doesn't re-tighten it, contact us — Never continue using an axe with a loose head; it is genuinely dangerous.

Yes they can be used for throwing but throwing damage is not covered by our guarantee. Hand-forged axes are built with precision geometry for cutting work. Throwing subjects the head and handle to repeated high-impact shock.

Returns, Guarantee & Support

Because each axe is forged to order, we do not accept returns on customized or engraved orders. Standard uncustomized axes can be returned within 30 days in unused condition for a refund minus return shipping. If there is a defect or quality issue with your axe, that is a guarantee claim, not a return — contact us immediately and we will make it right. Read our full guarantee page for specifics.

Our guarantee covers structural failure of the axe head due to defects in our steel or heat treatment — cracking, chipping from defects, or edge collapse. This is a lifetime coverage with no receipt required. Normal wear (patina, surface scratches, edge dulling) is not covered because it is not failure. Misuse, throwing damage, and cosmetic wear are also not covered. Full details on our guarantee page.

Email is the fastest way to reach us: [your@email.com]. We respond within 24 hours on weekdays. Include your order number if you're writing about an existing order, or describe your project clearly if you're inquiring about a commission. We do not offer phone support — the forge is where we spend our days.

A hand-forged axe with a personal engraving inside a handmade wooden box is one of the most memorable gifts you can give a man — especially for milestones like 40th or 50th birthdays, retirements, weddings (as groomsmen gifts), Father's Day, or the arrival of a first child. It's a tool that outlasts its owner and passes into the next generation. Use our gift configurator to build something nobody else will have given him.

Made with care and unconditionally loved by our customers, this signature bestseller exceeds all expectations.