Stainless Damascus Viking Axe "Braveheart". Bog Oak Edition

Hello. My name is Baltic Vikings’ axe. They used to call me a Braveheart. I was born when the good old gods still walked the earth. The brave men of Baltic tribes used me to build homes for their families, chop the mighty pines for firewood and to defend them from evil. I was happy, because most of the time I was used to flourish life and not to take it. People were happy and so was I - for I gave them shelter and warmth, not blood and tears - life was good. Then came the Danes and they wanted to enslave my friends, but soon enough they found their final resting place near the salty waters of Baltic sea. After Danes, came the Swedes and I ensured that they would meet the same fate. I was angry and my revenge was mighty and furious - Sigtuna was no more. Then came crusaders from all over the Europe, and the happy days were over. For 300 years I fought bravely to protect my people from intruders - I gave no quarter and they were no match for my blade. They were too many, and I became notched and worn. They won. My people were enslaved and I was forgotten to rust with the ashes of brave warriors under their stone graves. Only a few remained that could still tell the stories of who I was and what I did. For 800 years they tried to destroy even slightest memory of me, but they never succeeded, because my people were strong and never forgot that I provided them with shelter and warmth. They never forgot that I fought bravely to defend them from evil. They banished intruders and once again I could be reborn to tell my story to those who would hear me…
 
The Baltic 'Braveheart' Viking Axe is a historical replica of axes made around the 7th-9th centuries in the Baltic lands. The blade is a laminated, bearded design, and fitted to a curved handle made of 5600 years old English Bog Oak. The handle is secured with four lugs. The grip of the handle is wrapped in tanned leather, embedded into the handle. The leather is wrapped near the blade as well, for better grip there. The beard allows the user to choke up on the handle for controlled strokes while crafting or as a shield disarming action used in reenacting. This is a one handed weapon that was likely used in place of the sword, being easier to craft and more versatile around the camp and woods or as a back up to the spear.  The Baltic 'Braveheart' Viking Axe is considered ‘battle ready’ and should be handled with extreme caution due to its sharpened blade.  Written on the handle is an approximately 1300 years old love poem in Runes. The original wood piece with this poem - a weaving knife with rune carving lays in the Swedish History museum.