Brief Description:  The Dane axe, or long axe, is a two-handed European polearm used widely from the 10th through 14th centuries. Famous for its use by Viking huscarls and the Byzantine Varangian Guard, it featured an exceptionally long wooden shaft and a broad, razor-thin blade designed for devastating, cleaving cuts in battle.

Key Physical Characteristics:

The Blade: Forged extremely thin (sometimes as thin as 2 mm near the socket), the axe head was lightweight but possessed a dramatically curved cutting edge measuring up to 45 cm (18 inches) across. Many historical examples (such as Petersen's Type L and Type M) featured a reinforced high-carbon steel edge forge-welded to a softer iron body.

The Haft: The shaft was typically crafted from shock-absorbing wood like ash or oak. While earlier combat variants measured between 0.9 and 1.2 meters (3 to 4 feet), later medieval developments, like the Scottish sparth axe, featured hafts exceeding 1.5 meters (5 feet) to maximize reach and leverage.

Weight & Balance: Despite its imposing size, the weapon was deceptively light—often weighing between 2 to 3 pounds—making it highly nimble in combat.