Axe

An axe (or ax) is an ancient tool. It is used to shape, split and cut wood.

The hand axe was probably the first tool in the Stone Age. It did not have a handle.

In the past, axes were used as weapons by soldiers. Today, axes are usually related to woodcutters and firemen.

Axes are simple machines. They are in the category of wedges. They are usually made of some sort of metal, mainly steel or iron. They can have a metal or wooden handle.

Axe Media

A collection of bronze socketed axe blades from the Bronze Age found in Germany. This was the prime tool of the period, and also seems to have been used as a store of value.
Bronze socketed axe from the Heppeneert hoard (Belgium), about 800 BCE, collection of the King Baudouin Foundation, Gallo-Roman Museum (Tongeren)
Roman axes in an ancient Roman relief in Brescia, Italy
Xia-Shang Gallery, Henan Provincial Museum, Zhengzhou. Complete indexed photo collection at WorldHistoryPics.com.
Jade axe, Shang dynasty
A collection of old Australian cutting tools including broad axes, broad hatchets, mortising axes, carpenter's axes, and felling axes. Also five adzes, a corner chisel, two froes, and a twybil.
Axe pictured in the coat of arms of Tórshavn
A diagram showing the main points on an axe
1. Simple wooden wedge with ring wedge (with barbs).* * Simple wooden wedge with double ring wedges (with barbs). * Triple wooden wedge with ring wedge (with barbs).