Battle-axe
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A battle-axe (also battle axe or battle-ax) is an axe designed for combat. Battle axes were versions of utility axes.[1] Many were suitable for use in one hand, while others were larger and were used two-handed.[1]
Axes designed for warfare ranged in weight from just over 0.5 kg to 3 kg (1 to 6 pounds), and in length from just over 30 cm to upwards of 1.5 m (1 to 5 feet), as in the case of the Danish axe or the sparth axe. Cleaving weapons longer than 1.5 m would arguably fall into the category of polearms.[2]
Through the course of human history, commonplace objects have been used as weapons. Axes, because they are common, are no exception. Besides axes designed for combat, there were many axes that were also used as tools. Axes could be modified into throwing weapons as well (see the francisca for an example).[1]
Axes were always cheaper than swords and were always available.
Battle-axe Media
- Horseman's axe - 1475.jpg
Horseman's axe, circa 1475. The blade's punched decoration suggests German make. This is an example of a battle axe that was tailored for the use of a mounted knight. The wooden haft is modern.
Bronze axes, Zhou dynasty
- Hôtel-Dieu de Tournus (Axes 1).jpg
Stone axe heads in polished greenstone from the collections of the Hôtel-Dieu in Tournus (Saône-et-Loire, France). Found in Saône River
- Decorated battleaxe.JPG
An ornamented, 7th-century Merovingian battle axe head on display in the British Museum.
- Chinese General in Philippines.jpg
Chinese general with his attendant, from Spanish illustrations, 16th century
- Riu1.JPG
- Riu
- Preziosi - Derviş cerşetor.jpg
A dervish with Tabar (axe)
- Kokusempu Riki (Li Kui) of Water Margin by Utagawa Kuniyoshi.jpg
A Japanese rendition of the axe-wielding outlaw, Li Kui
- 宋朝斧兵.jpg
Armored axemen, Song dynasty