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