My alma mater, Augustana College, home of the Vikings, hosts an annual college debate tournament.
This year’s trophy for first place in the open division?
[A Viking] battle axe—complete with blade guard and liability waiver.
[snip]
It stands 3 1/2 feet tall, with the main blade measuring slightly less than a foot. And it is really sharp.
More photos, including the lucky winners.
Paul Adds
So why did the semi-finalists get bongs?



— Dan · Feb 14, 03:13 AM ·
— jane · Feb 14, 03:39 AM ·
— Jeffrey Lewis · Feb 14, 03:57 AM ·
— Nick · Feb 14, 04:05 AM ·
The hardest part of setting up that tournament was finding suitable prizes for the speaker awards. Augie apparently has a full-time staff doing that now.
— Jeremy · Feb 14, 04:20 AM ·
— Michael Roston · Feb 14, 05:21 AM ·
Viking axes looked more like these replicas than the debating trophy:
http://www.ancientedge.com/subcategory_4.html
— Kingdaddy · Feb 14, 06:31 AM ·
— Adam · Feb 14, 07:35 AM ·
— Victor · Feb 14, 01:47 PM ·
— Todd · Feb 15, 02:57 AM ·
— Rodger · Feb 18, 04:35 AM ·