| A battle axe (also battle-axe or battle-ax) is an | | | | Battle axes were also common in Northern |
| axe specifically designed as a weapon. Battle axes | | | | Europe in the "Viking Age" (9th and 10th C) and |
| were specialized versions of utility axes. Many | | | | up to the 16 Century, see Viking Age arms and |
| were suitable for use in one hand, while others | | | | armour. |
| were larger and were wielded two-handed. Axes | | | | Most medieval European battle axes had broad, |
| designed for warfare ranged in weight from just | | | | socketed heads (meaning that the axe head has |
| over 1 lb to 6 lb, and in length from just over a | | | | an opening into which the haft is inserted.), and |
| foot to upwards of five feet, such as the Danish | | | | some included long strips of metal (langets) along |
| axe or the sparth axe. Anything longer than five | | | | the haft to prevent the haft from being damaged |
| feet would arguably fall more into the category of | | | | during battle. Many polearms, such as halberds and |
| polearms. | | | | pollaxes, are variations of the form of the battle |
| Through the course of human history, | | | | axe. The axes had fallen out of favor among |
| commonplace objects have been pressed into | | | | knights and nobility replaced by swords. However, |
| service as weapons. Axes, by virtue of their | | | | when armor designed to defeat swords appeared, |
| ubiquity, are no exception. Besides axes designed | | | | simpler weapons were employed. The mace could |
| for combat, there were many axes that were | | | | crush though armor and damage the tissue |
| both tools and weapons. Axes could be designed | | | | underneath. The battle-axe took this one step |
| as throwing weapons as well (see the Francisca | | | | further, by concentrating the weight on a wedge |
| for an example). Axes were always cheaper than | | | | it crushed through armor and easily cut flesh. |
| swords and far more available. | | | | In Napoleonic times and later, equine specialists, or |
| Overview | | | | Farriers in military service carried heavy long axes. |
| Battle axes generally weigh far less than modern | | | | Though these could be used for fighting, their |
| splitting axes, especially mauls, because they were | | | | primary use was logistical. The branded hooves of |
| designed to cut flesh rather than wood; | | | | horses were removed to prove that they had |
| consequently more narrow, slicing blades are the | | | | died. Napoleon's Pioneer Corps also carried axes |
| norm. This facilitates deep, grievous wounds, | | | | that were used for both clearing a path and |
| additionally, a lighter weapon is much quicker in | | | | fighting. |
| combat. The handles of military axes were often | | | | This is an example of a battle axe that was |
| reinforced with metal bands called langetts so that | | | | specialized for the use of horsemen. A Note the |
| an enemy warrior could not cut the wooden | | | | hole on the haft for the accommodation of a |
| handle. Some axes even had all-metal handles. | | | | leather thong to be passed over the wrist, the |
| Stone axes have been in use since at least the | | | | belt hook for ease of carrying when not in use |
| 3rd millennium BC, see Battle-axe people. They | | | | and the lagnets. This example dates from the last |
| were followed by copper, bronze, iron and steel | | | | quarter of the fifteenth century and is 27 inches |
| axes. | | | | long. The haft is a replacement. The punched |
| In the eastern Mediterranean the double-bladed | | | | decoration on the blade suggests German |
| labrys axe was prevalent, and the sagaris, | | | | manufacture. Other variations of this design |
| described as either single or double bladed became | | | | include a hammer face instead of the spike behind |
| associated with the mythological Amazons, though | | | | the blade. |
| these were generally ceremonial rather than | | | | A good reference, contemporary with their use, is |
| practical tools. | | | | the Maciejowski Bible of ca. 1250. |