{"product_id":"slavic-engraved-bearded-axe-with-knotwork-etching-and-leather-haft","title":"Slavic Engraved Bearded Axe with Knotwork Etching and Leather Haft","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Slavic Engraved Bearded Axe wraps its haft twice, in two different ways. A tight leather coil covers the butt end for grip. Higher up, leather lacing crosses in an X pattern. Brass studs pin every crossing point down. Bare wood shows between the two, and that gap is deliberate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEtching covers the head in three separate elements. Knotwork bands frame the cheek on both sides. A stylized beast sits at the center of the panel. A radiating wheel motif closes the top of the head.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis decorated hand axe for sale runs 16 inches overall. The head is polished steel with the artwork cut into the surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/divineknives.us\/collections\/engraved-axe\"\u003eEngraved Bearded Axe collection \u003c\/a\u003eat Divine Knives with a coiled leather butt wrap, brass-studded X lacing, etched knotwork, and a beast figure on a polished head.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe History Behind This Slavic Bearded Axe Design\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEarly Slavic settlements across Poland and Ukraine produced bearded axe heads. Craftsmen there worked interlace patterns into metal and woodwork alike. Leather binding on a haft appears in the same archaeological record. Bindings gave grip and helped hold a split haft together. Divine Knives borrows those methods for a modern piece.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSlavic Engraved Bearded Axe Performance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe two wraps give you two grip zones. Coiled leather at the butt holds a full swing hand. X lacing higher up takes a choked grip for close work. Your palm reads the change without any need to look.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA 3.5-inch edge suits shaping more than felling. The beard opens a gap for a finger behind the edge. Dark etching reads clearly against the polished surface. Leather darkens with handling over the years. Keep the wraps dry and the head lightly oiled.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduct Type: Single decorated bearded hand axe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHead Material: Polished carbon steel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHead Pattern: Plain steel with etched artwork\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHead Finish: Bright polish with dark etched detail\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHead Style: Bearded, open beard below the eye\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEngraving: Interlace knotwork bands, stylized beast at center, radiating wheel motif at the top edge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 16 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCutting Edge Length: 3.5 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHead Height: 4.5 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHead Depth, Poll to Edge: 5 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHaft Material: Warm brown hardwood with visible grain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHaft Wrap: Coiled leather at the butt, brass-studded X lacing at the middle, bare wood between\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStuds: Round brass, one at each lacing crossing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMounting: Eye seat\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEdge: Ground and honed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSlavic Knotwork Axe Construction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThree etched elements share the head between them. Interlace knotwork frames the cheek in bordered bands. A stylized beast fills the center panel below the eye. A radiating wheel motif sits at the top edge.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe haft runs in warm brown hardwood with visible grain. Leather covers it in two separate treatments. Coiled wrap takes the butt, and X lacing takes the middle. Round brass studs fix each crossing of the lacing. The head seats through an eye at the top. Keep leather away from damp, and the etching stays crisp.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBest Uses for the Crosslace Axe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe leather work is what people reach for first. Handling it is half the point, so a stand beats a case. Collectors buy Slavic bearded axe pieces for the etching above all. Eastern European history groups make up a steady second market. It suits a milestone gift for someone in that world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrder the Crosslace Bearded Axe today. Two leather treatments on one haft rarely appear together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFAQ’s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are there two different leather wraps?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe coiled wrap at the butt gives a full swing grip. The X lacing higher up suits a choked hold for close work.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat do the brass studs do?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey pin each crossing of the lacing to the haft. Without them, the X pattern would slide loose.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the etching show?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInterlace knotwork frames the cheek, with a stylized beast at the center. A radiating wheel motif closes the top edge.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is this different from the Longship engraved axe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Longship pairs Norse knotwork with an inlaid rosewood haft. This one pairs Slavic interlace with a leather-wrapped haft.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill the leather wear or loosen?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeather darkens and softens with handling over the years. The brass studs hold the lacing in place throughout.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Divine Knives","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56237395345700,"sku":"sku-52835520839967","price":190.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8028\/2660\/files\/IMG_2573.webp?v=1788974527","url":"https:\/\/www.mainstreetco.us\/products\/slavic-engraved-bearded-axe-with-knotwork-etching-and-leather-haft","provider":"Main Street Collective","version":"1.0","type":"link"}