The Úlfhéðinn — Wolf-Cloak Field Axe
$189.00
Sale price
$189.00
Regular price
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The Úlfhéðinn — Wolf-Cloak Field Axe
$189.00
Sale price
$189.00
Regular price
Leather-wrapped, Viking-profile, built for the hand that actually uses it — The Úlfhéðinn is the axe that doesn't belong on a wall.
Hand forged
Ships in 3–5 Days
Lifetime function guarantee
Leather-wrapped bearded axe with Norse Viking engraving. Hardwood handle, brass-riveted grip. Carbon steel.
Layer 1 — Name & Origin: The Úlfhéðinn — 'wolf-cloaked' in Old Norse — is named for the Scandinavian woodsmen who worked the forests in winter wearing wolf-pelt cloaks. Focused, weather-hardened, and built for the long day. The figure engraved on the head is an original design inspired by bronze-age stamp-die figures found on Scandinavian helm plates. The Viking profile engraved on the head is an original design inspired by the bronze-age stamp-die figures found on Scandinavian helm plates. The head silhouette is a Dane-axe variant, built heavier and more forward-balanced than the Ægishjálm — this is an axe that wants to move through wood, not carve into it.
The Úlfhéðinn is built to be held. The handle is natural hardwood wrapped in a spiral of dark leather, pinned with brass rivets at each crossing. Where the Huginn is made to be admired, this one is made to be gripped. It draws from the hand-axe tradition of Viking Age Scandinavia — short-hafted, head-heavy, designed for close work.
The Steel: Head forged from AISI 1075 high-carbon steel, hardened in oil and tempered to 54–58 HRC. The Úlfhéðinn runs slightly thicker at the spine than our other axes — more mass behind the edge for splitting and chopping. The steel is hand-normalized before hardening, and the cheeks are convex-ground to prevent binding in wet wood. The result is an edge that bites and releases, swing after swing, without fatigue.
The Handle: Natural hardwood with a warm, unstained finish — the grain is visible through the leather crossings. The spiral leather wrap runs the full length of the grip, secured at each pass with a brass rivet. This is structural, not decorative — the leather adds grip in wet conditions and absorbs impact vibration. The throat is cord-lashed where the handle meets the head, reinforcing the fit. The pommel is left bare to show the wood's natural end grain.
Use Cases: The Úlfhéðinn is built for heavy work. Splitting kindling, bucking small logs, felling standing saplings, and the occasional full-weight chop. The forward balance and thicker spine make it less suited to fine carving work — if you need a carver, choose the Ægishjálm. If you want the axe that comes with you into the woods and comes back scarred, this is it.
The Úlfhéðinn sits between display and field use. The leather grip and balanced weight make it genuinely comfortable to swing — this is a solid camp axe for kindling, light limbing, and carving. But the engraving and brass detailing also make it a strong gift piece, especially for someone who wants a tool that looks as serious as it performs.
Technical Specifications
Overall Length
18" (45 cm)
Head Weight
2.4 lbs (1,090 g)
Cutting Edge
4.75" (12 cm)
Steel Grade
AISI 1075 high-carbon
Hardness (HRC)
54–58
Handle Species
American hickory (leather-wrapped grip)
Handle Finish
Linseed oil + full-grain leather wrap
Sheath
Full-grain vegetable-tanned leather
Production Time
3–5 weeks
The Steel — Guaranteed
If the head cracks or fails, we replace it.
Free Sharpening.
When the edge dulls, send it back. We'll re-profile and return it.
Built to Outlast You.
This is a tool that belongs in someone's hand 50 years from now.
Care Instructions
🛡️ Daily Care — After Every Use
- Wipe the head with a dry cloth to remove moisture, sap, and debris
- If it was wet or muddy, dry it completely before sheathing
- Apply a very light coat of mineral oil if the head is bare or the patina is scratched
- Store with the leather sheath on — but only once the head is fully dry
🔧 Monthly Care — Between Uses
- Inspect the head for surface rust — light discoloration is patina (good), orange flakes are rust (remove)
- Apply a thin coat of food-safe mineral oil, camellia oil, or gun oil to the entire head
- Check the handle for cracks, looseness, or dryness
- If the handle feels dry, rub in a small amount of raw linseed oil (not boiled) and let absorb overnight
- Strop the edge on leather with polishing compound — 20 passes per side restores working sharpness
⚒ Seasonal Care — Every 3–6 Months
- Deep clean the head with a cloth and a small amount of solvent to remove old oil and sap
- Inspect the edge under good light — if it has rolled, nicked, or flattened, sharpen on a whetstone
- Check the wedge — if the head feels loose, tap the wedge with a wood mallet (never steel); if it won't seat, contact us for re-wedging
- Refresh the leather sheath — a small amount of leather conditioner keeps it supple
- Re-oil the handle (linseed oil) and re-coat the head (mineral oil)
Each axe is Ready to order. Shipping takes 2 - 5 Days . We ship with full tracking. Free Shipping Worldwide." Shipping & Production
Make It Theirs
Add custom engraving and a handmade gift box with your own message inside. Every axe can be personalized.
Frequently asked questions
Which ForgeViking axe should I buy first?
If this is your first hand-forged axe, the Ægishjálm is the best entry point. It's the most versatile — sharp enough for carving, tough enough for camp work, beautiful enough to display. Most of our customers start here. The Berserker is for heavier work, the Huginn is for buyers who want the most substantial and ceremonial piece.
What's the difference between the Ægishjálm and the Berserker?
The Ægishjálm is a bearded axe — lighter head (1.8 lbs), swept lower edge, designed for carving and camp prep. The Berserker is a Dane-axe variant — heavier head (2.4 lbs), forward-balanced, thicker spine, built for splitting and heavy chopping. Same steel, same guarantee, different geometry. Choose based on what you'll use it for.
Are all the axes the same quality?
Yes. All the are forged from the same AISI 1075 high-carbon steel, hardened to the same 54–58 HRC, and built with the same craftsmanship. The difference is design, handle wood, and weight — not quality. Every axe we make meets the same standard, regardless of price point.
Can I see the axes in person before buying?
We are a small direct-to-consumer forge without a retail showroom. We do not offer in-person viewings. However, every axe is covered by our lifetime function guarantee, and we publish detailed specs, multiple photos, and video for each model. If you have specific questions before buying, email us and we will send additional detail shots or measurements.
Do you offer packages or multi-axe discounts?
We don't run bulk discounts on individual purchases — every axe takes the same time and care to make, so there's no volume efficiency to pass on. However, for groomsmen gifts, corporate gifts, or other multi-axe orders (5 or more), email us with your needs. We'll work with you on custom engraving, matched sets, and coordinated shipping at a fair rate.