Battle Axes - How Underrated Are They?
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- Опубліковано 16 жов 2020
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The sword usually steals the show as heroic weapon and status symbol... but what about the old axe? Is it ignored and underestimated for no good reason?
Let's take a look at a few examples of historical fighting axes and compare them to swords in terms of practical use. What is each of them better at?
The reproductions in this video:
Two-handed Hungarian axe by Arms & Armor
ww4.aitsafe.com/go.htm?go=kult...
Danish war axe by Arms & Armor
ww4.aitsafe.com/go.htm?go=kult...
• Review: Danish War Axe...
Viking light ax by Sharp Blades
• Review: Viking Light A...
Handforged Swedish axe by Nils Ögren
• Unboxing and Testing a...
The Igorot headhunting axe in action:
• The Most Brutal Melee ...
• The Most Brutal Melee ...
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You know, there's one set of people, in which 100% of it's members do NOT underrate axes: that set is "People who have been hit with axes". That entire set have great respect for axes.
I actually consider them the deadliest melee weapon (not the most effective). I mean, get hit by a sword and you are probably very hurt, get hit by an axe and you are probably dead.
Better than a mace too while accomplishing the same crushing damage.
@@markhunter3533 and if you arent dead, whatever non-vital area you got hit in is probably never going to function properly ever again
@@dumbsterdives exactly, the stomping power is its selling point.
Incidentally, almost everyone in that set accidentally hit themselves...
'An Ax is a backwards sword'
So the ax is a sharpened pommel? All strikes may end it rightly, then.
Long Pommel Thicc quarter sword.
А если клинышком кинуть - это считается?
That's why they were execution weapons.
Overpowered weapon.
if you tell that to jorg sprave he will make a sharpened pummel shooting device ... with medival rubberbands ....
The genius of a person that liked Spears and Axes and decided to combine and make a damn Poleaxe. God bless their soul.
In my opinion the main disadvantage if axes is absence of universality. Axes suck in stabbing, although it's very useful thing. Weapons with pointy end like poleaxe, glaive, halberd, lucerne hammer or bec de corbin are way better.
The only thing that surprises me is that it took so long for them to show up in any numbers.
@@wonniethepoop7856 did you even look at the one he's holding?
@@calebhamm517 do you mean the video? I've watched it all.
@@wonniethepoop7856 "Are you an axe or a spear?"
Halberds: Yes.
I would argue any weapon that isn't a sword is underrated.
Spears are god tier
Except katanas, if you dont count them as swords ofc
@@IHeronik2009 I feel safe in saying a majority of people would consider a katana a sword, what with it being a sword and all.
@@FlyManChimera spears are so underrated and yes, very god tier.
Hahahaha! Superbly put, sir!
9:20 Not only would that strike have ruined that person's day on the battlefield, but it also would've probably ruined someone's day that saw that happen
Something tells me that bloodletting isnt gonna fix that
@@therussianspy7558 something tells me that the guy has no more blood to let
@@afrodisiac2181 just give him a transfusion
But use animal blood so as not to take the soul of another human into your body
This comment literally made me laugh out loud.
... Just imagine what warm memories you will have cleaning your armor the next day
I tend to find that axes are actually highly rated. They're like the shotguns of the medieval world. They hit like a mule, have some utility use, and every farmer has at least one.
The farmer part got me.
Yeah farmers is right. They are the.weapon of an angry husband or farm worker not a professional medieval warrior.
@@joebloggs5318 i guess you just didnt see the entire second half of the video
swords = semiautomatic rifles
axes = shotguns
spears = bolt action rifles
VIDEO IDEA. Especial Ammo for Siege weapons in medieval and classic times. You know how in most games Siege weapons have special ammo types like, Bee nest, Corpses, Flaming pots, Gas bombs. How much of that was real? Are there records of special Siege weapons ammo being used?
Axes are like the shotgun of the melee weapon world, sure, not a lot of grace and not very fancy but they get the desired results.
Video games have made me think that Shotguns ARE melee weapons.
And often more damage per shot or strike
@@standarddeviation7963 video games have made shotguns a joke. You have to be about a foot away to even do a bit of damage.
@@mexico1531 Well considering that every other weapon is downgraded in damage it's all relative. Unless you play hardcore mode.
I have a Remington 870 tactical magnum. Believe me shotguns shoot pretty far. Especially if it's a duck hunting gun. The chokes on those are crazy.
When talking underappreciated weapons I always think of maces and warhammers.
Modern series and movies altogether mostly show swords and once in a while there is an axe (all of them cutting through plate armor like it's butter) but when it comes to plated opponents the destructive capabilities of a mace or a hammer should definitely be more appreciated :D
Bend the metal, shatter the bone, tear the artery...
“Gods I was strong then” -Robert Baratheon
Maces were a common weapon used by the Cataphracts (elite heavy cavalry) of the Eastern Roman Empire & the Persian Empire in their wars against them.
So Dark Ages/Early Medieval periods.
Both were powerful kingdoms/empires and they could afford to field heavy armored warriors.
Both armies had a couple mace variations they used (even throwing maces thrown en masse before a charge to break defences).
Mace is easy to handle on a horse hence the heavy usage.
Warhammers were more commonly used in later periods (so Medieval/Late Medieval) as specific anti-armor weapon. The Mace survives at this period as the Flanged Mace variety.
@@GeoGyf By "warhammers" do you mean those with a beak on reverse? Is there any popular discussion on the topic? I mean, this thing must have had certain intricacies into it; e.g. the risk of getting stuck in the opponent's armor.
I imagine it was very effective at stunning and knocking over infantry when wielded by a mounted warrior. But that's also achievable with mace. What was so special in warhammer to prefer it over the symmetrical, easier mace, I wonder.
@@sawyere2496 First of all mace/hammers/blunt weapons just need a hit at critical areas. Broken ribs/skull/a head concussion are deadly.
Mace is better than warhammer when mounted. With the warhammer you kinda need to hit with the tip, with the mace you dont. Also maces are cheaper to make, usually its just a metal ball and a wooden handle.
Warhammers have the advantage over the mace that they can deliver a more focused bow because of the small area of delivery.
Knights/Cataphracts/Men-at-Arms beside the armor (chain, lamellar or plate) they also wore a heavy wool coat called gambeson/called kavadion by the Byzantines).
Gambeson was also used alone by lighter troops it was good, cheap armor. So a lot of protection.
Sure the metal point of a warhammer/axe or a pick would be stuck, but if you managed to get a good hit the battle is over.
Now do mind that all of these weapons are secondary weapons, the primary ones were spear/pike/poleaxe/danish axe/halberd and all of their varieties.
Movies show swords because they are easier to handle and far less prone to accidents.
When demonstrating, do you ever feel the need to just, hit something? Like chop into a dummy or something.
The target's just sitting there. Its like a big red button that u want to push.
@@muhammadabdulrehman1540 The beautiful, shiny button.
The jolly, candy-like button.
@@scottmacgregor3444 the enemy eraser button.
There's no question about it - he definitely has a warrior's impulses.
"Chop into a dummy?" Did you just figure out how to get rid of idiots?
Not exactly a battle axe but Poleaxes are one of the most versatile and coolest looking weapons in history
yeah the multi-tool of the battlefield, hooking and slashing and bashing and stabbing and it is long too, like what is not to love on that thing?
Have you used one or are you just quoting For Honour?
Cool is subjective
@@gergokerekes4550 Nice to see a fellow poleaxe enthusiast. Video games should use more polearms. But I do get pissed when they mistook Poleaxes for Halberds. Halberds are wayyy longer
@@viggoeriksson805 it is subjective. But what's not to love. It can stab, chop and bash while looking very slick and elegant.
Seriously missed opportunity to say "axeofrickinlutley" right at the beginning.
Half of the viewers would've instantly quit watching, disliked and unsubscribed for an atrocity like that :P
Pun was so Axelent that i can't hold myself to say this bad pun too.
Axacly the point
Get out of here with your dad joke puns, axehole.
Maybe you should host instead huh ?
Makes me wonder if axes were almost more common on battlefields than swords, but were 'common' weapons for most cultures which kept them out of manuscripts during a time when only high class people had any understanding of the written word. Maybe axe fighting was somewhat forgotten as an art because the people who could write had money for swords.
It's actually not the case that only high class people had any understanding of the written word. There were plenty of lower class people capable of reading and sometimes writing (way less than today, but you would probably at least know someone). Making manuscripts, however, was extremely expensive, therefore all manuscripts we have are either of the church or nobility. Latin was also more widely used by commoners than people would think. So it's less of an education and more of an economic reason.
Axes were the most commonly encountered weapon in old times. Whatever you used; sword, spear or anything, you'd always do well to spar with people with axes.
I always imagined that the axe was just so universally common that no one felt the need to write down how to use one "It's an axe, everyone knows how to use an axe."
considering that even in conflicts like the American Revolutionary War, the tomahawk was the most commonly used weapons of the colonist rebels, its definitely possible.
@@JoniWan77 if Latin was spoken as seldom as we may think we would never have Latin trnsformed in Spanish, French and Italian, lol.
Its pretty insane how much skalli's channel has grown. I remember years ago when this was still a small channel and skal hardly knew how to unscrew and throw his pommel properly. This growth and the channel standing the test of time almost brings a tear to my eye. Stay safe in these time of Corona and keep up the good work Skal
Thanks. :)
I'm definitely happy and grateful to have come this far.
This comment hit me in the feels like a thrown pommel hits enemies in a rightly fashion
@Loonytoones85 I know right
@Loonytoones85 same :)
Yeah Skallagrim is one of the best channels on the internet. He doesn't just know stuff he makes it interesting and has such a cool personality.
Skallagrim: I'm gonna do a video about axes.
*Every dwarf and viking liked that*
You have my sword.
And my bow.
And my AXE!
Hey, that was racist! We dwarves appreciate polearms more - because shorter legs don't allows us to do lunges effectively; the reach is of the essense. Don't know where this stereotype of dwarf wielding a battle axe come from. Totally overrated weapon.
@@user-se5qr8zr8l speak for yourself, even with a weapon with better reach I cannot reach as far as a human with the same weapon, but I can carry more armor on my smaller body and get in their guard! We will see who is taller when I chop off their legs!
*Deranged grin intensifies*
Its true.
"Nonsense! You don't speak for all of us!"
- Hammer dwarves
"Wow, the Spartans held off the Persians at Thermopylae with only 300 soldiers"
One viking at Stafford bridge:
-Hold my mead.
That one dude on the water : nope
😂😂😂👊🏼
Such last stands are more commen than you might think. In many cultures there are such stories.
Just to be a pedantic asshole, there were around 7000 allied Greeks at Thermopylae, they failed to hold off the Persians, and even in the famous last stand Spartans made up less than a third of the elite hoplites that chose to stand and die. And the Berserker of Stafford bridge is likely just as fictional as the stories of Zhang Fei holding off an army of a million men single handedly. Local legend loves one dude on a bridge stories
@@muhammadhizrianfajar9405 -- You mean the Saxon SEaL? ;-)
Other severely underrated weapon is the mace/hammer/club category. They were used until the end of WW1 but no one talks much about them.
What about the bow? Some crazy guy used it during World War 2. And the US Military used them in Vietnam. To this day uncontacted tribes shoot arrows at low flying aircraft and threatened ethnic groups in africa use them against more modern opponents that are armed with guns and RPGs.
Bows are absolutely silent compared to firearms and are STILL used today, albeit not by any professionally supplied military force. But are in use with rebels and other groups that practice guerrilla warfare. The only reason that it is not commonly used by these groups are that guns are better if you can get them, and thermal sights. Bows are dead silent allowing for an easy ambush of course with thermal sights you can track someone's heat signature so it makes the stealth aspect of the bow utterly obsolete.
It literally took machine guns and HEAT VISION before the bow was made entirely obsolete.
@@inventor121 Most people won't have thermal sights so bows are still useful
@@inventor121 - you are almost certainly referring to the Commando “Mad Jack” Churchill. He had been into archery before the war and would take his bow with him on ops because it was quieter than firearms. Whether the poor sod with an arrow stuck through him was any quieter after being impaled with an arrow-shaft than he would have been if shot, is anybody’s guess...
clubs are still used by angy dudes with baseball bats.
@@halbkuppe4895 - bearing in mind that on the Eastern front, hand to hand seems to have frequently occurred using bayonets, rifle butts and trench shovels, there’s an argument that a hand weapon isn’t actually such a dumb suggestion.
After all, the Kukri has served the Gurkhas well, so why not a gladius for anyone else?
Ax = more energy commitment for more damage payoff.
I saw a duel between two friends of mine, both SCA reenactors. One was using a sword and the other a hefty double-headed battle-ax. An ax is surprisingly effective in the hands of an expert as we learned that day. The 'fight' began with the sword-wielder going for a thrust. The ax was used to parry the sword (with the haft), then take it away (as he twisted it and trapped the blade in the long curved blade).
Lesson learned: Never underestimate an expert using their favorite weapon!
Well yeah, skill matters more than choice of weapon.
An old saying comes to mind: “Beware the one-gun man”.
Just FYI, that Viking pendant doesn't say anything. Those letters are just the Futhark alphabet in order.
I think the thing with small axes is that (almost) everyone had a lot of experience with axe chopping wood, and it was not a 'strange' equipment like a sword you had to learn to use. I suspect there are not many manuscripts on using flails (the two handed ones used by peasants) either, it is just a tool people were used that was repurposed to kill the enemy and there probably was not much need to explain how to use it. And the more dedicated soldiers used specialised equipment like swords and polearms which they used only for duelling and fighting and there was a need to explain how to use these "new" tools to people who did not have any experience with them.
the bigger reason would likely be that the low1er status of a weapon the less people who could would write about it, as people who can read, or had people who could read,, normally had more money then those that had none of that
Chopping wood has nothing to do with fighting. The only thing that it might teach them is how to align the blade. If you want those people to fight against professional soldiers, then you better teach them more than how to chop with wood-cutting axes, which are nothing like battle axes, by the way. The axe simply couldn't have survived for as long as it did, as a battle weapon that is, if it wasn't good. There had to be more to axes than just swinging them blindly.
I would really appreciate to learn more about hammers, they're even more obscures than axes to me
You need a hammer to make an axe.
Using hammers is very similar to using a mace.
@@joebloggs5318 War hammer usually have the beak (sharp barb) side; and the blunt side is much more narrower than mace head too.
The beak has absolutely different purpose: to pierce through any wearable armor. And then get stuck in there, which was the main reason few people ever sticked to hammers, I presume. Mace is used to knock down, stun, incapacitate shield weilder by breaking his palm easily, etc. It is generally more versatile, imho. And also symmetrical -> easier to wield.
@APassersby I always assumed the safety is the biggest concern with blunts in HEMA. There is no effective protection against concussion - hence no reenactment and modelling could be conducted. Incidentally, maces were outlawed in tournaments.
Practicing is a big part in HEMA - even without a written guide people would quickly find proper and effective moves. But with the blunts - even if you get a proper written (and illustrated) guide on hammers/maces kung fu, you can never be sure it actually works. There should be jokes and fake materials.
I think blunt weapons never got properly expertized because:
1) lighter weapons with less momentum (swords, spears, polearms) were the definitive choice of war proffesionals as they allowed to stay active longer and survive the day;
2) duelling with blunts was never a thing - because nobles don't go around with ugly, unwieldy, brutish, uncivilized clubs; especially when attending high society activities (I'm still confused by iron rod duel choice in Clavell's "Tai Pan"); hence there was no reason to master club-duelling;
3) it's impossible to properly practice those things - the masters of the past had the same problem with "nobody wants to loose an arm or die horribly during a lesson" as modern HEMA masters face. One could train effectively with a blunt rapier and become a very potent sword fighter before the actual combat. Schooling and sparring with maces - hardly possible.
We could think of very few individuals who were natural learners and quickly grasped the tactics and moves with a mace or hammer. They must have been fearfull opponents. I mean, blocking a mace head-on with a shield is as effective as simply letting it hit your palm naked. But those individuals never happened to have the intention (or ability, or time) to write it down.
Often overlooked with hammers & maces are that they were much shorter than swords, so could be bought into action quicker than drawing a sword, especially in tight situations. That's why they were often hung or stuck somewhere close at hand by mounted troops/knights. No matter what armour you're wearing, a good strike from a mace or hammer will usually damage the wearer. As more knightly weaspons, maces were also sometimes used as a mark of rank.
I think another point to mention is the repairs to the different weapons can be vastly different. Breaking an axe handle is nothing compared to fix compared to a bent sword blade. Also, since axe heads are generally smaller, they are also much cheaper to have.
A bent sword can still be used though. Depending on where the shaft broke a broken axe can be worse than useless.
@@clothar23 Nah, ancestors were getting their war on with "axes" of stone that had no handles, just hold the back of the head and go to town baby, the beauty is that a heavy object with a sharp edge works on almost anything.
@@clothar23 an axe that's snapped in half just became an axe with half the range it had, if the entire handle is broken you have an awkwardly weighted club
Blacksmith: Do you want a bladed weapon or an anti armor weapon?
Me: Yes
Wow what an orginal joke
@@stc3145 thank you
@@stc3145 wow what an original reply
I remember Skall already reviewed an anti armour longsword and gift it to Shad
@@jaketheasianguy3307 say no more
Sword: You need to study these training manuals and practice for years before you are competent. It may take decades before you master it.
Axe: Hit bad guys with it.
No
I think your thinking about the bastard sword
Well, no. The point is that we have lots of period sources for technique with swords, but almost nothing for axes.
Sword: Pointy edge go into the other man. :p
Axe: If you do not understand, you should not carry it, or any sharp object.
Sword is for stabbing, axe is for pulling your opponent's shield out of position so your buddy can stab him. Alternatively, your axe can drag a man off his horse.
What have we learnt kids:
'An Ax is a backwards sword'
?
@@ulfablodI get what that means I think; the small part of the axe is the sharp part and the long part is the handle, a sword its the opposite
@@tuckerchestney501 that could be hmmmm.....
@@ulfablod the center of gravity is on the opposite side
@@artifex2.080 yes, Skal kind-of says it in the vid, i mean he says that they are backwards to each other
"Englishmen! I am waiting here
In my heart I know not an ounce of fear
We are waiting here my trusted axe and me
Just come at me, I will not flee
Death! I know that it awaits
Soon I will enter Valhalla's gates!" - The Berseker at Stamford Bridge, by Amon Amarth
"gonna stab ya in the nuts"
- english dude in a boat at Stanford bridge, by me
Love that song!
Let that be a lesson to you lads: you can be an epic hero with an axe, but a sneaky bloke with a spear is what REALLY get's things moving.
Over the hill went the swords of a thousand men!
Throwing axes is more fun than throwing swords.
But it’s a lot of fun to throw pommels of swords
I can throw a strop.
@@StinkyPoopyMcFartFace Only a madman would throw a pommel. How would he survive the shockwave?
What next? Throwing Nokias?
@@QualityPen no. We launch those out of cannons.
@@notamiester275 ... And that is how the world died
One of the flint axes I've made I did a rawhide, sinew and hide glue wrap on the shaft of it and it's made a huge difference in durability. I even used a pretty weak wood, smooth sumac, for it and I'm fairly certain the head will wear out before the shaft does. It's about 10 years old now and still unbelievably solid.
Tremendously underrated without a doubt. Swords have a magical ability to just capture the imagination in a way that all their peer tools don’t.
Internet rando: axes are useless
Skall: *You are nothing but a usurper. A false idol.*
I've always thought of spears and axes as the rifles and shotguns of the ancient world whilst the swords are the revolvers. My thinking is as follows - the two former weapons do the work, are cheaper to make,maintain and train with and the latter is a weapon for those in charge, who are supposed to lead from the front. If your superior is willing to run at the enemy with his smaller pointy thing (or firearm), you're more likely to follow suit.
I would say the spear, axe and pole arms are the rifle of the Middle Ages, maces, clubs and war hammers are the shotgun, swords are the sub machine gun, daggers, small one handed axes are the pistol.
i'd mostly say the halberd and greataxes are the shotguns of the ancient world as they work by using extremely lethal force, same with war maces and hammers, spears and pikes are the rifles and swords are like the glock or smth. and one handed axes and daggers are like the concealed pistol
Spears are sniper rifles and axes are battle rifles.
@@PerSon-xg3zr archery is sniper rifles
If i was an armored knight i believe id fear an axe vastly more than a sword.
Imagine getting "hooked" around your leg or an swing that might actually impact my personal fortress.
Axes have so many shenanigans going for them.
i really like the idea of a halberd, you get the slashing power from the axe blade but the pokes added to it seems like such an interesting combat style
Last time i was this early Ottomans were still besieging Vienna.
STOP MAKING FUN OF THIS!!! I defended Vienna against those demons...
THEN THE WINGED HUSSARS ARIVED
@@thelaughingcossack6521 Just looked at the answers because I was expecting this 🤘
When I was this early, we were deciding whether to call our village Roma or Rema.
.
Then Romulus won the debate by means of fratricide, and that cleared up the matter.
I feel that the ax is underrated because pop culture keeps reinforcing the image of an oversized and unwieldy weapon without an alternative.
Of course swords have this treatment but the more realistic blades are still recognised. Rapiers, Arming swords etc are just as well defined as swords as insert X metal surfboard.
Ax on the other hand?
Almost always some massive and ungainly thing that’s just madly blown out of effective proportion.
Also, XX-century axes were mostly heavy duty axes for firewood, while XX-century swords were mostly fencing feders, symbolic officer's sabres and Japanese katanas.
It's sad, I agree; these fantasy media makers don't seem to realize that with axes and bludgeons, you actually make them more powerful by making their heads SMALLER.
cause the stigma is it's cheap
Hammers have the same treatment. They are always shown as having massive heads like a foot across when they were barely two inches wide historically.
My favorite thing about the TV show Vikings was that quite often you'd see a warrior pick up an axe and fight well with it, deftly choppin motherlovers left and right and then using it on defense too.
I've done my HEMA, my favorite will always be the one handed Fighting Axe, light head, longish shaft: I know it's not as nimble by a country mile as a well proportioned sword, but the authority of it's blows combined with it's center of percussion being so long ranged always made me feel like I had a chance against almost anyone.
If you've ever tried to drive over Stamford Bridge, you'd understand why he went berserk.
It's not so bad when you have a good pole arm axe with you
@@bentramer682 Yeah, it's all fun and games until some saxon stabs you in the plums.
A teacher of mine said he once saw a man use a dane axe as a quarter staff. Having the blade in the other end and fighting with the hilt. He then created an opening and inserted the axe head in the arm pit of the opponent using the leverage of the opening. I always liked that story as it show there is more to the 2 handed axe than meets the eye.
Axes and spears are equalizers on the battlefield. Cool helm bro, be a shame if someone smashed it.
Any piece of wood first lightly scorched on it's surface, then thoroughly treated with linseed oil, will have a much more durable surface. I am not sure exactly when linseed oil came onto the scene in historical Europe, but I do know it's 'been around a long time'. The linseed oil, even that which has permeated the wood, takes on a form similar to amber, when it cures. This gives you a surface far more resilient that bare wood alone.
The axe is my favorite weapon in history. I’m particularly interested in its capacity to double as a tool. And also, naturally, the frothing northerner aesthetic, who -isn’t- that true for?
As far as I’m concerned the holy trinity are the spear, the axe, and the knife
Call me old fashioned, hahah!
Mace/ hammer is what makes an axe
An axe is halfway between a mace and a sword. It's more effective on shields and helmets than a sword. However, I think that most of the time people used axes because this is what they got. Axe is a fantastic tool, and a fearsome weapon when needed. There were people who could build ships with an axe. I'm sure they know how to use it effectively in battle.
You actually give me hope to make a boat nice enough to leave on
I arrived faster than a longship does at an English village up river.
Same! 🤣
Really? !
Gaes a wyrd swa hio scell!
Lol
Which type of arrived we speaking of?
You could probably make a veeery long list of underrated historical weapons. My pick would be a lance. A weapon that was used (in different forms) extensively from antiquity right up to the XX century.
lance is op in warband
They're glorified in movies even if they're not that popular in games.
@@muhammadabdulrehman1540 In what movies? I don't recall any.
@@rarescenes9999 light lance is best, fuck the great lance its too slow
@@jorgejohnson875 true takes too long before u can enter lancing mode.
Excellent video Skal. I love this point in your channel where you've got such a library of footage and experience of cutting to bring to the table. You're a genuine good source of both valuable and entertaining information.
My brother has a friend on xbox who studies HEMA academically and he said the "thrust" with the axe was essentially like the jab in boxing, meaning, the most important move. Blew my mind
you make a opening with it for a second, and then comes the real hit.
If your oponent flinches for a second and you get a strong hit in with an axe it is over.
He is quite right with comparing it to jabs actually.
Ahh, yes, good ol' "spear in the nuts"
Never fails to end the fight
The only way to stop him, he was in rage of the god mode.
Remember the Braveheart movie?
Axes are truly one of the best weapons. A lot shields can't take a lot of axe hits. Single handed with a shield is one the best combo.
Very true, when I was doing viking/saxon reenactment we used plywood shields which were probably more durable than the real historic ones, and even a blunt daneaxe could smash a hole in them
And the other great thing about axes (which I think skall has mentioned in other videos) is they can be used as a hook. A handaxe is ideal for hooking a shield aside, giving your ally with a spear enough space for a killing blow. A longer axe is great for hooking limbs or necks, ideal for yanking those pesky normans off their horses.
@@stevegoodson9022 yep, reenactment shields are a lot thicker and heavier than og ones, they also usually don't taper towards the edges like the findings because it would make them unusable in the context. And even those, as you say, have a fairly short life, my buddy used to need a new one every season because the edges were being constantly fucked up by the axes. He did fight a lot though...
PS I wish neck hooking was legal in reenactment :v
the worst you can do when you strike opponent's shield is to stagger them and open their defense
For honor needs an axe&shield vielding hero
Greetings once again from nova Scotia, thank you my friend, axes are a topic near and dear to my heart. Preach mighty Skall, sing the praises of the axe..in all sincerity, you sir are a BORN teacher. Be safe, be strong and, as always best regards, Arthur
Love your channel. Thank you for such awesome content. What you discuss and share is so close to me, i truly love the art of weapons, the history and how it affected humanity. Not only do you explain and truly love what you do, but your passion is inspiring. Thank you for what you do. Best of luck and warm wishes Skall!
I did a small amount of HEMA and even with that little amount of time I can say I loved the dane axe and the thrust from it is really underrated. The horns where small but getting stabbed is getting stabbed and mainly I used it as a distance tool to set up for an actual swing or as a distraction. All in all it was my favorite weapon to use.
It seems like the dane axe is just super underrated in general.
Swords can do more, but the same move from an axe completely deletes the majority of viable answers from the swordsman because of its momentum.
Swords are flexible, but you can't deal with a dane axe swing in the same way as a longsword swing.
You know what is even more underrated than axes ? Spears
Half the comment section is saying the same thing so nah
@@ARTEMISXIX bruh i thought i was the only one
I think they are underrated more than axes tbh I think of spears the last.
Nope, spears are known to be legit
Your knowledge of old world weaponry, from around the world I might add, is amazing. Love your channel.
Love this comparison of axes and other weapons. Would like to see a video on how the axe was used in battle formation? To combat what type of soldier or how to defeat a shield used or formation. How could an axe armed soldier work with others around him armed differently?
I've seen a couple of comments referring to axes as 'noob friendly' because someone can pick them up and make devastating attacks with minimal training. While that may be true for cutting practice, I think it'd be more of a handicap in an actual fight or duel. Because axes aren't as nimble and more tiring to attack with, I think it would take more skill and experience to wield an axe in a fight and come through in one piece on the other side, especially for two-handed axes that you can't pair with a shield. So I see things like the Dane axe as being the weapon of a veteran warrior, which lines up with what we know about huscarls in England, Denmark, and the rest of Scandinavia.
There aren't really that many techniques for axe wielding than there are for sword wielding.
I also imagine its harder to aim and actually hit the opponent where you want to because the blade of a seord has such a big impact area compared to an axe, especially the small one hande ones.
@@catssassine2278 yeah, your ability to judge distance would need to be on point, and it's more of the weapon that you can safely grab during a grapple. You're also at a disadvantage because your reach is going to be shorter than if you wielded a sword of the same weight.
@@muhammadabdulrehman1540 I agree with you that there aren't as many techniques for axes in HEMA, but I think it has more to do with lack of source material and the danger or reconstructive martial arts using axes. In HEMA, there aren't many sources or treatises on fighting with axes, as Skal pointed out. And I think the danger of trying to reconstruct axe techniques is the danger in using them. Even with blunted weapons and protective gear, it'd still be really easy to give someone a concussion or neck injury with a two handed axe.
It is probably the one-handed axes that are beginner-friendly. The shield on the off hand does most of the defensive work, so you don't need to do much more with the ax than chop at any openings you find
"A single Norweigan warrior with a 2 handed axe held off an entire army until he was speared from below."
Uesugi Kenshin knows how that goes.
You know I just watched this video to justify my next axe purchase, right? You're such an enabler. Thanks & keep it up! (Oh, & I might be purchasing a spear soon too, so I'll go & check out the spear video you just uploaded a few days ago too.) Oh, & if you were at all worried, my wife (an historian by training & profession) is actually quite entertained by the fact that I'm finally getting into swords, after years of knife & axe collecting. Fortunately you have years' worth of videos to aid in my education on the subject, so in all seriousness, thank you,
Very educational, thanks for the info Skall!
axes always get an unfair reputation. They have a much more complicated fighting style than people give credit, they have great maneuverability as you can move up the haft. Also you have a much smaller area of blade, so when your fighting you need to plan 3 or 4 steps ahead of your opponent to get them in the right position to strike
about the video, few parts that i disagree with:
-versatility, i would say that axes because of being able to work on the grip are as versatile as swords, but in different way
-shaft breaking, medium-well made shaft can be made within few hours, and it will hold through one battle at least, so you can easily repair damaged shaft
A sword is better suited to defensive use (parrying) when fighting without shield or armour. The axe would be at it's best when using a shield and/or wearing sufficient armour that you didn't have to worry about using your weapon defensively.
@@Dennis-vh8tz i totally agree, but there is also third option, having enough reach advantage that you do not need to worry about oponent, just like with dane axes or sparth axes
I was super excited to see that Nils Øgren Axe! I remember hearing him talk about making that for you!
I really needed this for my novel research. Thanks so much!
I think a big advantage for the Vikings of the axe is that it wasn’t like they had an army, their farmers were their warriors. Having a weapon that could cut down trees, split the wood into planks, and could potentially work as a fire starter would be invaluable.
An axe is to a sword as a crossbow is to a bow. Its quicker to become proficient in, and you are generally more dangerous with it than the other.
Which kind of sword and which kind of axe? If you compare the biggest sword to the biggest axe I *think* the great-sword would win just as a battle field weapon. but in terms of shield combat the axe is probably more effective. There is always an exception.
@@mrobligatory.5234 Axe vs sword depends on the amount of armor of the fighters, the more armor the less effective the sword is compared to the axe
You're only more dangerous on close range
On behalf of learning curve... you can't be serious. How does one even practice it? Please don't try it at home.
The easiest weapon to learn: a sharpened wooden stick. Spear was the main equipment for militia/newcomers/peasants. At all times, in all countries.
Running a spike througn opponent's eye wins battles. Wildly swinging an axe out of reach doesn't.
Just stay in formation, avoid any conflicts with katana guys and you're perfectly safe with the simple trusty spear. The dangerous axe guys will simply impale themselves.
@@ariat3381 both weapons are close range weapons, wdym
Hi Skall, excellent video again .. and, finally, a good appreciation of the AXE - a tool and a weapon that deserves respect and attention... thanks! Cheers, Erik
Good video friend
Wish you'd go more into the pro's and cons of particular moves
Aragorn : If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword...
Legolas : And you have my bow.
Gimli : And *my* axe.
I'd say they are pretty overrated, but only when they are massive, unwieldy, and double bitted
To which I’d say you should work out more
@@Sheridantank Two things with that:
1.) There's only so much weight even the strongest people can handle dexterously.
2.) Even if you are exceptionally strong, a well-balanced weapon of reasonable weight would be way more effective than an oversized, poorly-balanced one. Historical weapons were made the way they were for a reason.
@@NDOhioan
There’s a third thing with it, it’s a joke. (Felllow Ohioian)
@@Sheridantank I see. Also, nice to meet a fellow Ohioan in the wild.
The double headed axe is actually a tool for felling & clearing trees. Soil is really good at blunting an edge, so with a double headed axe you have one head razor sharp for chopping the trees down & the over with a more robust, shorter prifile edge for chopping through roots in the ground. Because they look cool & deadly they're popularised by artists/filmakers, but rare as weapons.
Good videos man very cool stuff. It's really good to know that I'm not the only guy out in his yard with a sword or various other types of melee weapons.
Like this video to show that we want more videos about axes! Damn there are some gorgeous axes shown... And some designs that I see for the first time. Awesome!
I guess, axe (especially two handed ones) users played a different role in armies than spear/sword users. Axe users could be useful at the early stage of melee combat or in the flanks, when (or where) they have enough space to use them effectively. Even if they don't injure the opponents, they could ruin their armors, shields, so the spears/swords could pass thorough the ruined armor to do the job.
We often forget, a good armor in any given time could stop any individual weapons impact at least once from the same time and place. But the repeated impacts finally could create holes, tears, weakened parts on the armor. Of course, weapons were also damaged, but that is where "secondary" weapon (one handed axes, swords) came into picture: they were in a condition to do the job.
We also often forget about manuscripts: they were for duels, and duel techniques could be quite different from battlefield/siege techniques. In duels, you have all the space you need to use your weapon, it wont be struck into your comrades, buildings, etc. In a battlefield, your comrades are on your both sides and behind you, so you need to use techniques that accelerate your weapon on very limited space (especially on your sides and back). So many times the raw power of axes, polearms or spears goes into waste or can be used in a very limited time. But if you can find a way to use them properly in a longer term, then you can have a devastating effect on your enemies.
I'd like a Skallagrim look at fighting with wood hatchets. Asking for my role-playing game, after a pandemic.
Look for haitian hatchet fencing
Zombie apocalypse? 😉
@@alexandrejose8362 hatchet fencing?
@@junichiroyamashita unless I'm mistaking hatchets with something else, yes. It began with the Haitian Revolution, when slaves used the same hatchets they cut sugarcane as weapons, and eventually became a fencing style.
@@alexandrejose8362 Are you sure it's not machetes?
2:22 I immediately had "The Berserker at Stamford Bridge" playing in my head :D
I came looking for info so I could design a better weapon for my dnd barbarian (thinking about how a thing works and its functionality eats at my brain constantly) and ended up learning lots and enjoying every minute :) thank you!
I feel like Axes where better for your average warrior they where cheaper to obtain and against an opponent in armor it has to even the playing field a little better. I think if I had a choice my kit would be spear with an axe as a secondary weapon just seems like it would give more bang for your buck
Polehammer will always be my favorite. Has a lot of destructive power, and with that spike it absolutely destroys armor with a good, heavy swing. Plus, it functions as a spear. It's the multitool of medieval times.
Really cool plug for your sponsor,, really liked the scroll
Great to see you've finally found the lost appendix to the Bayeaux tapestry(2.45).
Axes are battlefield weapons, a main weapon along with the spear, polearms etc.
Swords are secondary weapons, a backup in case you lose your main weapon.
The exception is large two handed swords.
Like a Pistol is a sidearm to someone with a rifle but can also be used as a primary weapon
Well, kinda depends: price has a lot to do with this. On a battlefield, with people prepared for battle: both the sword and the axe are secondary weapons, but the sword is a hand fitted 1911 clone with an extended mag, laser mounted and a night sight. And the hand axe is a used glock or an old surplurs Beretta m9. Has it been used for a dozen dirty jobs? Yes? Is it cheaper? Yes? Is it AS good?.... well, kinda no. But when you get hit by it, does it hurt less? No, it does not.
@@guypierson5754 Inb4ragediscussion glockvs1911 lulz
Damn I'm tired af but I must watch this!
I love skallagrim
Nah, better leave if for refreshment at the end of tomorrow's work day.
It would be interesting to see a video like this but comparing axes and maces/hammers
You know, I'd never been interested in war axes until just recently. Two of my favorite characters from two recent Fire Emblem games specialize in axes, so I've gotten more interested in them recently. So thanks for sharing this! It's the perfect time.
This is what happens to kids who played dungeons and dragons grow up. Must say some of the smaller axes are impressive.
I told my wife this when we started dating, "I have been and always will be an axe man".
hell yeah!!!! I love axes. thanks for this videos. make it more like this, please. more about axes and polearms.
and I love your speech. It helps me a lot practising my listening english.
greetings from México!
I totally agree. Idk when and why but only around 2 years ago I always liked my swords but now I give the axe and spear also the love they deserve
I personally have a massive soft spot for riding axes, like the indopersian tabar. Maybe it's just my obsession with cavalry weapons and crucible steel, but they're lovely.
How, in dear God's name, can you ride an axe !? Let alone enjoy it?
@@ixian_technocrat they don’t call it the butt of the handle for nothing
This one made me want to replay Kingdom Come Deliverance. In my opinion it has the best historical representation of axes in combat in most video games.
Also, thank you Skall. You're channel is indefinitely the best.
Not a lot to add but it was interesting and I did like the video, keep doing what you do Skall!
Im glad to hear more about the axes I've honestly started to grow with a deep appreciation for them and have started to favor them more than the sword in my practice becuase as you said they aren't as versitle but there is so much you can do with them and things that they can do that a sword wouldn't. I also take into regard that the common warrior couldn't always afford the sword and I look into historical records of battles and see how the axe may have been a greater impact than the sword. I honestly and I firmly believe that the sword has become the typical weapon of choice and good reason but I do think that looking into other weapons is also good as well
Make a video like this about warhammers and the diference betwen fictional warhammers and the historical ones
They're so underrated some troops still carry them in the age of drones and ballistic missiles lmao
inb4 I know they're meant as breaching devices but they're designed like they're meant for fighting smh
We just used shotguns to breach. Had three dudes carrying one in fact. But that was the CAF.
you can even dig with them, or heat your food on them. Might just be like my sergant, use it to pop the hood on the car to get to the engine block, I would not trust him tho the man could headbutt a door open I saw him do it once.
@@clothar23 most of our guys use shotguns too... Or explosives x) But missions with limited equipment, especially long ones, are a real pain and every gram matters. Gotta also mention that hand to hand training with hatchets/hawks is super fun and during maneuvers lads from other units always think you're badass lol
@@gergokerekes4550 digging and using as a lever - ok I get it, some even have a thin flat pickaxy part... But heating food? Wtf
@@Sk0lzky Will admit the tomahawk was a fun thing to train with. Than again I was that one weirdo who thought bayonet training was fun to. Despite also admitting it had no practical application . The bayonet not the tomahawk that is.
Great video as usual. Another trick to using an axe for grappling is hooking the beard of the axe on a weapon, shield, or limb.
This is an awesome video. I wonder what other historical weapons go unappreciated like this?
What I learned: in a zombie apocalypse, the ax is the way to go.
I think a winged spear would be a far better weapon. Spears use even less metal than an axe. They are more agile. They require even less skill to use. And they are more repairable than axes. A broken hafted axe will need to have its wedge drilled out and a new haft whittled, shaped and wedged. A broken hafted spear you can literally repair with a shoestring and glue.
@@MonMalthias You forgot the obvious: with a spear you have more room between your flesh and the zombies teeth. lol
@@DemoniteBL that too.
Ah yes, the battle of Hastings I recall their last death throes as they tried to peddle the last of their inventory while refusing to budge on price.
I actually live in Hastings and have visited Hastings Castle as well as the Abbey out in Battle. If you ever get the opportunity to visit England and you're on the South Coast, I absolutely recommend checking out my hometown. The history of Hastings is so rich and fascinating, not just because of the battle!
I think this is the happiest I've seen Skal during a video and is probably my new favourite
I would say battle axes as weapons in a modern viewpoint are definitely underrated in uses of fantasy or fiction. Historically the axes had a lot of use and if they were still needed then they probably wouldn't be so underrated
When standing in the shield wall side to side , it is not practical to swing around , they are essentially a footman weapon ,
the best movements are a chop down ....a thrust or hooking the edge of the opponent shield and pulling it out so your mate next can chop him
by the way axes ( in fact hand axes ) were the first weapon used for more that one million years , then they invented the shaft
The first weapons were simple sticks and simple stones. And then came spears. And after that, axes. Look up some archeological records...
@@Seelenschmiede I think by hand-axe, the person posting just meant a sharpened stone that was heavier and larger than the knives they carried
@@Seelenschmiede yes I'm aware of that , but hand axes remain the only tool /weapon which have been identified
some statistical analysis of bones found in caves suggested that long bones and jaws bones were used as clubs and knives but it cannot be strictly proven , only hand axes remained
As a angle-saxon enthusiast seeing you talk about the battle of hastings makes me so sad :/ october 14th never forget
Love this insightful channel. After all the weapons reviews I cannot help to imagine Skalla in a Homeshopping TV Channel for Vikings „this axe is high quality and perfect for head- and limb chopping .. you will be the envy of your shield wall“. 😂