The short answer is yes, Vikings used hammers. However, the type of hammer they used depended on the task at hand. For example, a blacksmith would use a heavier hammer to shape metal, while a carpenter might use a lighter hammer for woodworking.
Viking-era hammers were often made of iron and had a simple design with a long handle and a round head. The head was usually decorated with symbols or patterns that held meaning for the Viking culture. One popular design was the Yggdrasil, which is a symbol of the Norse cosmos.
While hammers were certainly an important tool for Vikings, they were not the only tool in their arsenal. Vikings were also skilled in using axes, knives, and other tools to build their homes, craft their weapons, and defend their land.
It is a common misconception that Vikings only used axes as their primary weapon. In reality, Vikings were skilled in the use of a variety of weapons, including hammers.
While axes were certainly popular among Viking warriors, hammers were also commonly used in battle. Hammers could be used to crush an opponent’s armor or to deliver a devastating blow to the head.
Viking hammers often had a spiked head which could be used to puncture an enemy’s skin. This made them especially effective against heavily armored opponents.
Hammers were also useful for smashing through doors and other obstacles in battle. Viking raiders would often use hammers to break into homes and businesses that they intended to plunder.
While hammers might not be as iconic as axes, they were nevertheless an important part of the Viking warrior’s arsenal.