The TRUTH about BATTLEAXES!
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- So much to say about medieval BATTLEAXES
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#AXE #axes #underappreciatedhistoricalweapons #medieval #knight
Axes are the embodiment of big stick energy as they're just sticks with sharpened bits of melted rock affixed to them
Ah yes, all hail the mighty S T I C K!
Still a Goedendag kinda guy myself though
I disagree; the pike is clearly the most exaggerated stick.
@@elio7610the axe goes further in the bonking axis, the pike goes above and beyond in the poking axis. Both demonstrations of the sheer power and potential of the glorious Sticc.
@@elio7610 We can all agree that the stick is the ULTIMATE weapon with all other weapons deriving from it, a pike/spear is jsut a weary long and pointy stick, a sword is jsuta sharp metal stick, a hammer is just a long and heavy stick and so one
You've really done well with reinventing this channel without hurting its spirit.
I miss Oz
@@abstractapproach634 He was pretty funny, but that's Knights Watch, not Shadiversity.
@@robertlewis6915What happened to him?
The axe is a very economical weapon. It requires less material than a sword, and the only part where you need the good steel is the edge which can be forge welded while the rest can be just soft iron. No wonder they were everywhere in the early middle ages.
A spear uses even less metal, has more reach, and is much less cumbersome to use. Spears are clearly the most economical choice.
@@elio7610 Spears are, at least, the best melee weapon in Demon's Souls, hands down.
@elio7610 They're also the weapon of choice of the Windrunners. Life before death Radiants!
Axes are way more metal.
For instance,
Axel Rose > Brittany Spears
Imagine even needing metal.
Axes I'd argue are the most optimal platform for use with stone, since a lot of other stone tools really like breaking on you.
Except maybe a club that's just a whole ass rock on a stick.
That's peak economy.
I like the Shepherd’s Axe. Functions as a walking stick, chopping tool, and self defense weapon all at the same time. Makes a great gift for rural folk even today.
Gimli be like “Good video Laddie. Well done.”
There’s an axe in Poland that shepherds used that is both a walking stick and an axe for self defense. It was mostly common in the few mountains of Poland. It’s called the Shepherd’s axe or ciupaga.
I’m curious what you think of it. Most of my family in Poland come from the mountains and they swear by it that it’s deadly. That might be the answer to your walking stick axe near the end of the video there. 😂
We in Czech Republic used to have this shepherd axes in Beskyds with name Valaska, name come from Beskyd region Valachia, it was walking stick, tool and weapon.
@@kalondon123 Yeah, I’ve read that this Shepherd’s axe originated from Hungary or Turkey. And it spread in Eastern Europe and every nation gave it a different name. That’s cool though about the Czech Republic having one like that!
@@LuckyStar2516 Name Valachia ist from shepards thad have come from Romany Wallachia ( Count´s Draculas home Transylvania) AHAHAHA
Some coments below have more info. Bw i have original, even if is unadorned, from my grandpa.
Those things look pretty awesome. Seems to take what's nice in a hatchet and combine it with a walking stick.
I’ve heard of a similar tool known as an alpenstock, popular among early mountaineers. It had a small axe head and spike and I wonder how related they are.
It’s time to axe the big questions and hach things out!
WOOOOOOOWWW
Swing and a hit!
Rob words had a language thing about the use of Axe vs Ask. Both are actually historically supported. Just where are you from. Thing
@@xavierhugo9269 I couldn’t help myself.
Time to bury the hatchet on the axe debate.
You guys are great.
I know they aren't as popular, but I'd enjoy if you guys did a video about maces.
Like, how cool can they look without being impracticably heavy?
You'd be surprised how wildly light a ton of them are.
Especially since with things like maces, you can use light, soft metals like brass and it still works.
Oh no, it got crumpled. It's still a stick with a strikey bit, even if you've lost ideal shape.
Now if you wanna make it "cool" in a stupid over the top way without it being too heavy, I'd imagine you could get away with a wildly oversized head of the lightest metal you can find. Basically just a massive ball of beer cans.
I reckon somoething like a gada has the advantage of being so simple (ball on a stick) that there is a lot of room for pretty and intricate engraving or painting. Wouldn't compromise the usability much, if at all.
I remember a mace video
Just not sure if it was made by Shad or Metatron
A few years ago
I would love more about maces too. There are many peculiar and underappreciated designs ,expecially coming from Indo-Persian cultures.
@@junichiroyamashita Stuff like literal bull-headed brass maces, right?
There's an axe that has been gaining in interest recently: the fokos or the shepherd's axe. It also has a number of alternate names, but they're all built the same way, a fairly small, light axe head on a cane length pole. Popular in Slavic countries, this handy item was a walking stick, tool and an effective weapon. If you're making another foray into axes, it would be good to look into it just because of its utility.
It’s a hewing axe. For hewing logs.
The axes used for harvesting cork really blur the lines between weapon and tool.
Just leave the sheath on. The first couple swings it’ll be a funny mace, but that’ll pretty much take care of itself.
I thought it was a shingle axe at first, one for making roof shingles, but I guess they are quite similar in look and function.
@@trulyinfamous I’ve only ever used a froe to make shakes. Didn’t know there was an axe for it.
@@nathanielkidd2840it can be done even with a normal axe (without a special tool, special tools are just better at it)
Ancient Russians had even invented an architecture that used little tools other than an axe and practically nothing but wood and wooden tow. they were in the middle of a giant forest and pretty short in both metal and stone. No nails even!
What's going on with me? Not much, how are hew?
I had the same thought about leaving the sheath on.
You've always made top-teir content, and it's a shame UA-cam doesn't see it that way. Stay strong on the chopping block mate!
6:58 It really does depend on what type battlefield scenario. When the Macedonians battled the armored War Elephants at the Hydaspes, the lighter troops were re-equipped with axes. Interestingly enough these were double-bladed axes that the Macedonians and Thracians used primarily for hunting as seen from the Alexander hunting mosiac.
And they were used to great and brutal effectiveness, the lighter troops would hack at the trunks and hamstring the elephants, eventually turning the tide of the battle and making the beasts run back and cause havoc at the indian infantry.
There is historical evidences of horses having been cut clean by what seems to be a dane axe
@@cyphrox8555Thorkell needs no axe, he just uppercuts the horse to death
As a child my introduction to these things was my grandfather constantly referring to my grandmother as "the battleaxe".
I think you should mention more how these weapons were used in conjunction with shields. Makes a night and day difference.
Missed pun opportunity, shame
@@marquiseh5128knight?
knight and dane difference
@@doubt_”the difference is knight and Dane”
@@Inquisitor_Vex precisely.
It's such a shame youtube is constantly pushing braindead content on it's users, filling my recommendations or front page with junk they want me to watch rather than recommending channels or videos based off of what I actually watch. it feels like youtube is trying to kill off this kind of content, it's really frustrating and I absolutely hate it.
Anyway I really hope your channel picks up more steam again. I hope to see more from you for years to come because I really enjoy your content.
Thank you. All I ever wanted was people to acknowledge that Axes were a better Battlefield weapon than Swords in a general. That's it. Axes are the best, and I love them, and they deserve to be acknowledged properly. Love me a Horseman's Axe.
Nuh uh, spears are far superior
Yes. In clouse range u can't get better weapon than axe
@@ButcherofPolishHighlands what about a hammer
@ting4758 Hammers are realy good weapon too, great for armored oponents, but in practic theay are a little heaver and not that cheep as axes, so more worriors was using them insted of hammers
Strange. Historical peoples seem to disagree. I can only think of a handful of groups that one could argue preferred axes as sidearms, and often even those may only have "preferred" them because swords were too difficult/expensive to acquire (eg, Native Americans and Vikings).
And so far as use as use as primary weapon, two-handed "true" axes (eg, Dane axe, bardiche) aren't. any mire common than two-handed "true" swords (eg, zweihanders, nodachi) and the number of halberds is probably roughly equal to "sword on a stick" type polearms (eg, glaive, naginata).
The broad axe is for flattening logs. Set the log up mark your depth of cut and notch to the line. Use the broad axe to take off the material between the notches. Handy for floor joists. The handle is generally curved to prevent barking your knuckles.
A really complete kit will have a pair of broad axes and an adz.
One curved right, one curved left, and the adz for working straight on.
@@Kyle-sr6jm yup
The greatest strength to the axe in those days was that most everyone had experience with hatchets already from having to cut firewood. So it was an easily teachable weapon that could be used by almost any footman
This video kicks some serious axe! It's edgy, and cuts right to the heart of the matter
I'm a fairly big guy (around 6 feet 5 inches tall & in the mid-high 200 pounds range) and could see the use/preference of a "Hand and a Half" Axe. It gives a touch of extra reach/momentum, yet can be moderately comfortable in 1 hand. Also adds to the "Intimidation Factor" as well as subtly flaunts your size.
Finally, I would love to see a video of your analysis of Maces & Warhammers. Because in a life or death situation I personally would prefer using either of those things rather then a Sword or other Bladed/Semi-Bladed weapon. It's simple, straightforward, effective, and feeds my "Caveman" feelings:)
I prefer a long, pointy stick myself. Spears are just so easy to use.
for me the axe triggers my "caveman" feelings! i like it far more than a sword
@@FireCrack83 Lol, I can see that.
You would be unstoppable dude :D.
Could also be more useful during a siege when attempting to climb a wall. Thinking about it, when playing Mount & Blade I quite often go with axes around that size.
Under the beard is great for hooking legs and pulling your opponents off their feet. If you have a top spike then you can hook the top of an opponent's shield then stab them in the face. Even without a spike you can hook the inside edge of a shield and open your opponent up for a comrade to strike them. You can also hit your opponent over the top of their shield it even if the shaft hits the rim, just make sure the shaft it reinforced. The ax is such an underrated weapon.
This is Thrand! Great video Shad will do my video on this to reply soon
Great to see you Thrand, looking forward to the video
My granddaddy called that axe (the one that's flat on one side) a shaping axe. he and his daddy used them to shape crossties for the railroad back during the Great Depression. 🙂 Great video, and it was really cool to see you with that axe. Baruk Khazad!!!
If I understand it right, there was originally two main type of axes. One type was made to destroy and the other type was to make minor changes.
The weapon version was never used when building ships🙅
I have two Swedish fireman axes from around 1860-80. They were made to tear down walls and doors of that time and hence prioritize destruction over speed and precision (doors don't fight back!).
The blade is comicaly wide and heavy but the pointy side is thin and sharp (like any other 13 lib tooth pick 😘). The plan was to weaken the structure with a/one hard blow that went through the wall (one impressive hit would destroy that part of the axe).
Creating a weak point made it possible to use the somewhat blunt axe cut or crush the wall around. The axe was made to crush and hence stayed effective all day (not recommended for creating statues 🙄).
I was always told those were 'broad axes'.
The first thing I thought of was shaping thatching reed.
Baruk Khazad? Is that Gaelic?
@@elijahhayter3026 Khuzdul, the Dwarven language that JRR Tolkien created. It means "Axes of the Dwarves!" 🙂
Thanks
Would double bitted axes be an advantage while fighting on horseback against infantry? Especially a long handled variant, allowing for good long chopping actions on both sides as you grind the enemy under hoof
I love the way the channel is going now all three of use work so well together every video is such a pleasure to watch.
Axes have always been my fovorite of the good old melle triumvirate (Swords, Axes and Spears) and I'm grateful to see a good discussion on how they work and function historically. Keep up the good work fellas.
The godly halberd just combines the best of everything
listening to shad talk about the sword around 13:30 to 14:05 really makes me think and understand even deeper shadow of the conqueror great vid as always shad an crew
Shad videos just keep getting better man. I hope we get to see more of the rogue/ranger dude from a couple videos ago.
Gimli would be so proud of Shad giving axes some love.
Thank you very much Shad and the rest of the team! I have been enjoying the content of this channel for years and it wonderful to see that it gets better and better!
I've always thought with axe's every swing that fighter is *Committing with a moment of regaining their composure. With swords, yes there are the big "All or nothing" swings, but using the tip, that fighter can maintain their distance and have a quick second move that also leaves as their stance. Great show as usual :).
You can keep an axe moving without losing composure/balance and be able to change its trajectory pretty quickly.
Depends. The small axe shown at the start allows for quicker withdraws and maneuverability, as it does not require you to commit/reposition your center of mass.
The battleaxe however, especially if you're not a big guy, is going to carry you forward meaning your front is gonna be open after you're done swinging.
Another usage for the hand and a half axe, would be fighting indoors, in dungeons, or in other tight spaces such as narrow caves or mines. That's one of the reasons why dwarves are often seen using them.
I'm a big fan of tomahawks.
I've forged/welded together a pretty nice tomahawk; it's got an all steel handle with an integral hand-guard
I think I'm really liking all this new content with the multiple hosts
Loved the battlefield life axe in this . I didn't know the story of the French terms, either. And it may have taken a long time, but I'm glad to see that France and the Commonwealth finally buried the hatchet.
I do wonder if some axes ever had things stuck in their beards at a bad time.
I haven't been watching much over the past few years just by chance, but wow this channel is still good and has IMO even gotten better! I hope UA-cam starts promoting you more again. Your content is too much fun not to reach ever historical weapons enthusiast it can.
Finally, some long-awaited praise for the Axe's power (don't read that out loud on a YT stream, you'll get banned)
Seeing the axe being slung on the pouch made me think - what if one were to use a belt-pouch in that style as a sheath for the head with a hole in the bottom for the haft to slip through? Probably much quicker draw than unlacing and with the protection against any dangly bits axe-cidentally getting chopped.
Good stuff as always, lads.
For anyone interested, that antique axe shad showed off early in the making of this video is a type of hewing axe.
Great video gentlemen ! I never appreciated how good a "battlefield weapon" the axe was !
FINALLY! MY BELOVED AXES FINALLY GET A VIDEO. PRAISE BE OUR LORD SHAD!
I can imagine the hand-and-a-half sized axes being used in a naval context, if you want the increased power of a two-handed axe, but have limited space to swing it.
or when your storming a castle and going up the stairs you dont have a lot of space on there as well
they did historically use battleaxes on ships? halberds too if i recall?
I appreciate how wholesome you're videos are. Thanks dude. It makes me feel better when I watch them 😊
Meh I'm a simple dude. I see big axe, I press like.
I really like your UA-cam shorts. They give me a brief synopsis I click it I like it I go to your main video. I just was not getting your videos very often in my recommendation. But I get a lot of UA-cam short recommendations. If they're stupid biased algorithms. Anyway great video
The AX with the sheath that he had though, since it's attached to the ax he can pull the axe and still Bash them with it super effectively if he had to,
and then remove the sheeth when he had an opportunity 😂
I could see going for the "hand and a half" size over the longer ones for fighting in more restricted indoor spaces as well. Maybe when storming an enemy fortification for example.
One of the best tools for digging is an ax. I had to dig somewhere, and the shovels couldn't break the roots. Chopping sloppily into the ground loosened up the soil and made it easier to dig with a shovel with later.
Love your videos! As a fantasy writer I come here for references all of the time. Just a thought/suggestion for staging the scene. As there's a team of you guys now, what if you put a sort of work station/ armory behind you: workbench, anvil etc. Then you could pick one person from the team to be behind the bench and be the "armorer" for the video. They could hand off weapons to the other person/people, put the weapons back away, or hold things for the presenter/presenters, while they're giving examples and moving more dynamically. It might be easier to be like:
"Armorer! Take this Dane axe, and hand me that Halberd would you!"
"Ah, the Halberd, excellent choice good sir!"
Rather than having to navigate back and forth to the wall with something in each hand. Just a thought for something to experiment with, take it or leave it :)
Very interesting video.
One other purpose for a hand-a-half axe, that you could you use for, besides front line battle use and/or executions, is as like a normal tree/wood chopping axe. It's the perfect length for it, and while the head is pretty thin, it's still functional for chopping wood and/or trees.
another benefit of using the hand and a half axe over the long two handed axe is for frontline troops climbing a ladder with shield in one hand lifted up to protect you, and axe in the over that also is helping to hold you to the ladder as you climb, be much easier to handle then if you carried a big two handed axe in that hand
@@Takamiki Very true.
I'm just here for the axes...and knowledge! Also, of course, to implore you to review A Knight's Tale! I'm trying to catch up, again.
So I have a theory on that "hand and half" size axe. I suspect that it would be very effective for fighting indoors and in very close quarter areas. So as my name suggest I do reenactment and larping as a gallowglass. For those who don't know they were Gaelic (originally from Scotland and immigrated to Ireland) mercenaries who fought with big two handed axes. From the accounts we have they use the two handed axes for everything. Battlefield, bodyguarding, guarding in general, and possibly assassinations (which I have done in a larp) this weapons works really really well. The only place I find it severely lacks is in tight areas. Not close quarters because it can be used for grappling but I'm referring to like small rooms, tight corridors, or even a place with a lot of furniture. The axe just constantly gets caught in things. I make a joke that people in my apartment get very nervous when I'm standing with them in an elevator holding a 6ft battle axe but in truth that's probably the safest place for them. Now going back to the hand and half axe you would have a lot more freedom of movement and you wouldn't have to worry about the butt of the weapon getting snagged on things but you would still have effective power and reach. I've never tested it but I think it would be worth checking out.
Honestly, that might make it an interesting choice for a fantasy-style adventurer fighting in caves, dungeons, and the like.
Thanks Chad, for allowing me to access this type of content!
I was thinking the hand and a half axe could be good for indoors. Maybe this is why dwarves use that size since they are usually in tunnels and caves?
Could be naval boarding or landing actions.
Or used as a weapon from horseback. A longer weapon like a Daneax is impractical, and a shorter weapon has not enough reach.
Nates new duds are AWESOME. Love it bro.
Traditional Carpathian shepherd axes (such as from Hellish Quart) are about the length of "hand and a half" axe. Would be nice to hear you talk about them. Cheers!
We can really hear the passion when you are discussing the subject, it's fun! :)
I'm sure I'm not the only one who's had random thoughts about just how many random attachments they can attach to halberd, right? Also, as per usual, great video! Thanks for making it.
Tacticool before it was cool in a way
Robert the Bruce killed an enemy with a battle axe. He hit the enemy so hard he split his head down to the jaw, but the impact also broke the axe. He and his enemy were on horseback.
One major axe that was also considered “in-between sized” was the Bardiche. It was maybe 5ft in length with a 2ft blade common with later soldiers to have with firearms. They’d use the axe as a gun rest to shoot from and then use the axe for close quarters combat.
>They’d use the axe as a gun rest to shoot from and then use the axe for close quarters combat.
They didn't
It is a common misconception
@@АлексейШле seems like a really strange pairing then. since shooting and loading a gun takes two hands, and what would you be doing with the bardiche in the meantime?
@@barbarityensues1096 Bardiches had a shoulder straps and pointy ends.
So they were carried behind the back or stuck in the ground during battle.
When he started yelling “hold them off son” as he was frantically trying to get his axe ready 😂
The hand and a half axe could be a boarding axe. The shorter handle would keep you from getting tangled in the ropes, and you'd almost always be in close quarters combat
Yes for sure, definite spiritual/ceremonial energy with swords
I'm not sure you've done it before or not, but I would love to see your thoughts on the Egyptian Khopesh considering it's said to have descended from axes instead of swords, despite being considered a sword.
I am proud to be a supporter of Shadiversity!
Thank you so much!
@@shadiversity You are most welcome my good sir!
Dwarves lives underground so Dane axes with long shafts will only hit the ceiling, so that's why their axes are shorter.
And yet some parts of their fortresses have ceilings high enough to house a dragon.
@@Jwsponky so? Why should they choose weapons that only are viable in "some parts" of their home? You can use short weapons everywhere, not only in the spacious spaces.
@@SkepticalCaveman More me expressing a long standing confusion at the architecture of Erebor in the Hobbit films. The whole fiasco with Smaug could have been fairly easily avoided if they just capped the ceilings at eight foot at most if they wanted to be hospitable to any visiting humans.
0:40 As a humble french follower, i have to say that it's always wonderfully cute to ear you guys telling random things like that x).
I'm so happy this video was made, Axes are SO damn great!
such high quality just in the first minute, amazing work. Love your videos.
One potential use for the “hand-a-half” axe that I would consider that they didn’t mention is in more confined spaces, like city streets, inside of buildings, and on ships.
You guys always got an answer to my questions. Great video from a great channel.
As a norwegian I approve this video
To paraphrase the great Paul Harrell, "The sword on your hip, beats the axe on the shelf."
Also, I love this channel!
For me, you can justify the hand and a half axe in fantasy for dwarves considering that they are fighting in mines an fortresses which are really closed spaces where a longer handle could be a pain to carry and less advantageous in combat
The archetype for the sawed-off shotgun and short-barrel rifle.
But what about dragons?
@@danielwesley5051 polearms
@@danielwesley5051 I personally think that against a Dragon, the best axe would be the lighter one so you can run away faster
Love this.
There is a quick and safe way to draw a hatchet. I personally believe this would serve an axe wielder well.
A Dwarf axed me a question one day, if I ever buried the hatchet with this one guy who I had an axe to grind with. I hacked and wheezed due to the laughter that escaped my throat, and I said to him, albeit a little choppily, nay, he always thought axes were stupid weapons. He preferred a fancy sword, a sword I tell ye! Who in the right mind choose a flimsy sword over a hefty axe? The nerve of that pompous human. We Dwarves will always rely on the tried and true axe any day.
Edgy!
@@keirfarnum6811 exactly what I was going for, lol
I am a prospector and blacksmith with a fondness for dwarven things and I made a real rendition of Gimli's starting one bladed axe, that I take with me just about everywhere. I would like to point out a benefit of longer Dane axe sizes over swords is the fact that it can be used as a walking stick and climbing pole. Sounds minor, but I kid you not, it's really useful in that regard.
Three things I wanna say Shad.
1: Woodcutting axes absolutely *can* be light enough to make for effective weapons; I *know* this because I have *two* woodcutting hatchets each weighing only 1.25 pounds and a two-handed double-headed woodcutting axe weighing only 3.5 pounds.
2: There *were* in fact double-headed battle-axes designed for *combat* because they offer unique advantages you don't get with *any* single-headed one; even *past* the ones in Skallagrims part *1* episode on double-axes (which I recommend you rewatch by the way), *other* advantages are that you can much more easily *pin* an opponent by one of their limbs or their neck with one, basically using it as an improvised man-catcher for one, and for *two* , if the heads are broad enough, it actually gives you a built in *shield* to block both melee attacks *and* projectiles with; you have to brace one of your hands against the center point to take advantage of the latter one, but you have to brace your arm up against its back for a handshield to work anyways, so... Also, having the same amount and *shape* of weight on *both* sides of the haft makes a double-headed battle-axe makes it easier to handle, and by extension at least *slightly* more *agile* , and it also eases strain on the haft, making it at least slightly more *durable* too.
3: There's actually a situation in which double-headed battle-axes would actually be the *more* practical type of battle-axe, and thus the *favored* one; in a metalworking culture on a *tropical island* , armor wouldn't be much of a thing because with the climate and the more constant interaction with the ocean, it'd be too great a risk of both heatstroke *and* drowning; this means that dedicated anti-armor weapons, and by extension, dedicated anti-armor back implements, like back spikes and back hammers, aren't really gonna be a thing *either* because there's not really a *need* for them; so for *physical* means of defense besides parrying and dodging, the people in this culture would instead rely on barricades and handshields, which're typically made of things like specially treated *cane* , bone, shell, and *wood* . And since lots of exotic dense *hardwoods* grow in the tropics, this means that in order to *combat* those defenses, a battle-axe is gonna need as much cutting blade on it as it feasibly can; put two and two together, and in this culture, you find that whether they be for woodcutting *or* combat, double-axes are actually the *more* practical type of battle-axe for this culture, and by extension, the type it *favors* .
Just some food for thought.
I've seen Skall's video on "double-bitted" axes, and I pretty clearly remember him saying they were very rarely used for combat, which isn't surprising because none of the advantages you mention are worth putting up with a weapon that handles like a bowling ball on a stick.
Additionally, by far the bests way of defeating a shield is to use a one-handed weapon and a shield of your own, as is evidenced by the shield being the most common historical weapon, by far, and two-handed axes very much a rarity. I've seen several tests of Dane axes against authentically crafted center-gripped shields, and the results were disappointing, to say the least. Not only did the shields provide more than adequate protection against full-strength blows (something dangerously slow even with a single-bitted Dane axe), but the shields usually remained quite functional and the axe often got stuck, which would leave the axeman utterly defenseless. Given how poorly it performed, even a double-bitted axe likely wouldn't let you inflict wounds through the shield, but it would get far more stuck.
OTOH, I've seen a lot of very cool fencing tricks to use everything from swords to single-handed axes to spears get around the opponent's defense. The Academy of Historical Fencing and Roland Warzecha have some great videos showing how it can be done.
@@irrelevantfish1978 you clearly *missed* the part where Skallagrim said that just like with *any other* weapon, you can tweak the weight to your needs, pointing out how an Indian ceremonial double-headed axe ironically weighed *less* than his single-headed Dane axe; that's why I didn't mention weight other than the symmetrical weight distribution allowing the thing to be at least *slightly* more agile than a single-headed axe, and also eases strain on the haft by putting the same amount and shape of weight on both sides of it so neither side's bearing more weight than the other, which *also* makes it at least slightly more *durable* too.
Plus, an axe isn't *guaranteed* to get stuck in a shield, it all depends on *where* it ends up hitting it and how much momentum is behind it; and even if it *does* , the axeman can always *kick* his opponents shield to help him *dislodge* the axe and push his opponent back at the same time.
And *finally* , the fact that a shield is so durable was actually the whole *point* of that part of my argument; *because* a shield made of cane, bone, shell, or wood, especially the *hardwoods* that grow in the tropics, are so *durable* (barricades too by the way), they're gonna take their toll on a battle-axes edge, and so to *combat* them in an environment in which armor *isn't* much of a thing because it presents too great of risks to be worth it (which it *would* on a tropical island), and shields and barricades are the *primary* physical defenses besides parrying and dodging, *because* they're as durable as they are, battle-axes are gonna *need* as much cutting blade on them as they can feasibily get to *combat* them; and with the lack of armor rendering anti-armor weapons/implements *unneeded* , that means that for the people in that metal working tropical island dwelling culture, double-headed battle-axes *would* in fact be the *more* practical battle-axe type, and thus the favored one *because* the defenses they'd be going up against, while vulnerable to their bite, would be durable enough to really take their toll on an axes edge, and thus an axe would *need* as much cutting blade on it as it could feasibly get.
The reason double-headed battle-axes were so rare back in *our* history is because most parts of the world were of conditions that allowed *armor* to *supplement* a shield, and thus battle-axes *needed* an anti-armor back implement for combating the armor too; but if the environmental conditions *didn't* allow for armor to be a thing to supplement the shield, the shield would be the *only* defense the axe had to deal with, and thus it'd be *more* practical for it to be *double-headed* , and so it *would've* been the favored type, and thus the most common.
@@ezrafaulk3076 In regards to weight, I should have said that double-bitted axes are heavier _for equivalent effectiveness,_ both because of inferior geometry and because a forward CoG aids edge alignment.
In regards to effectiveness against shields ... well, you missed the point and have clearly never seen HEMA practitioners spar. Attacking someone's shield is dangerous as hell, and _kicking_ someone's shield is just about the surest way to lose a leg that I can think of.
Think about it: even if you have superhuman strength or an enchanted axe that cuts steel like butter, the maximum depth you can cut is the distance between the edge of the blade and the shaft so you're not cutting anything but their shield arm, unless they're an absolute moron, which leaves their _other_ arm (ie, the one with the slashy/stabby/bashy/dangerous thing) free to do something horrible to you. Unless you have a large advantage in reach (likely not, given the length of most two-handed axes) or speed (definitely not, since your axe is meant for Hulk-smashing shields), then the best you can expect is a double-hit, trading your leg for their arm.
Personally, I vastly prefer Roland Warzecha's favorite solution to an opponent's shield: use your own shield to get an overbind and your one-handed sword to zwerchau off the back of their skull. Takes practice to pull off, obviously, but is much less likely to result in amputation.and/or massive blood loss.
@@irrelevantfish1978 You can use *your* shield to protect your leg from your opponents weapon dude, and since kicking the shield would push your opponent *backwards* , it'd push them *out* of reach of your leg, which *wouldn't* be hanging out there the whole time, but would only be up there for as long as the kick lasted, which wouldn't be long at all, and then come back down; and pretty much *everyone* who's talked about the weight thing has said the same thing, that double-headed battle-axes aren't *inherently* any heavier than any single-headed variant, with, again, Skallagrim pointing out how a double-headed Indian processional axe actually weighed *less* than his *single-headed* Dane axe; and if a *processional* double-axe can be made *lighter* that a single-headed *battle-axe* (processional weapons are typically much *heavier* than their combat oriented counterparts), then a double-headed *battle-axe* *definitely* can.
And honestly, imagine if a backed spiked single-axe got stuck in your opponents shield *by* the spike because you were trying to use the spike to bypass their armor, but they *blocked* it with their shield; methinks the spike would be *much* harder to get out than an axe head.
And *again* , the fact that it has the same amount *and shape* of weight on both sides of the haft makes the double-axe better balanced, which allows it to be at least slightly more *agile* , and eases strain on the haft by putting the same amount and shape of weight on both sides, making it at least slightly more *durable* too.
I don't know *how* people like you take my presenting certain advantages of a type of weapon that typically gets *bashed* by historical UA-camrs like Shad, and presenting a *hypothetical* scenario in which they'd actually be the more practical, and by extension, favored and most common type of battle-axe, and interpret that as my saying that they're the absolute *best* type of axe to ever exist; *especially* after I admitted that the advantages a double-headed battle-axe has over a single-headed one *wouldn't* be the kind of advantages one would wanna trade the anti-armor potential of a back spiked or back hammered single axe for in a world like ours, who's conditions *favor* the use of armor in most places. The *only* thing I'm trying to do is encourage more *open-minded* thinking on them instead of just *bashing* it without even *considering* it might have something; I actually used to be *part* of the close minded bashing crowd myself, but I've since tried to be *better* than that because that's how *everything* is enriched, from people to society to the media it consumes.
@@ezrafaulk3076 Dude, sniping sword hands mid-blow is perhaps the most common way to win against most HEMA weapon sets. Your leg is bigger, slower, and has no guard. The idea that you could kick a shield and not get hit is laughable.
And again, if you compare a double-bitted axe and a single-bitted axe _of the same weight,_ the single-bitted axe will be better. Geometry and materials science demands it.
Go watch sparring videos from the Academy of Historical Fencing and study basic cutting and fracture mechanics. I have no interest in further argument, now that I know you lack the basic knowledge required to understand the subject.
Such a cool video. Happy to see you guys being so passionate about this beautiful tools!
I've always loved swords, I mean who doesn't ? However I have definitely come to appreciates Axes a lot more in a medieval/ fantasy context and just in general. The first game in the God of war "requel, " really making me fall in love with them just as much as I did with swords, if not more so.
Welcome to the world of axes, good person! Not many game protagonists out there that use an axe as a main weapon, let alone in interesting ways.
Only other person i can think of is Eddie Riggs from Brütal legend, with the Separator.
I’ve actually gotten to the point, when playing D&D my character uses axes, halberds, and maces. (Honestly maces need a much, much bigger hit die).
The executioner's axe is the first thing I thought of when I saw that midsized axe. Great and informative video!
Nate, your pun got the axe.
While there's no such thing as a bad pun, the delivery can be. Nate's was spot on.
Shad this was a great video! I enjoyed this one. 🙂 And I love that axe of yours with the metal studs along it's handle. It's gorgeous! Thank you for another great video!
I was always confused why axes didn't have a spear tip on the top to make it more versatile.
Some did. It's just that a very important part of making weapons was the economy of that. Every bit of metal saved was a big thing. Weapons did cost a LOT. Adding complexity also increased the production TIME which was limited. For large-scale combat, it was better to have two axe-men without spikes on top than one with it.
Because that makes the axe worse at being an axe for the small benefit of being able to stab.
Of course at the end of the middle ages you got halberds and similiar polearms, that were exactly that,
an axe with a spike at the end to make them usefull at anti cavalry tactics.
Thanks guys 👍
Battle axes are extremely underappreciated when it comes to Japanese medieval warfare too. Samurai and ashigaru used mainly two types called masakari and ono but were kind of forgotten during the peaceful Edo period. There are many accounts from the 14th and 15th centuries in Japan mentioning the use of ono and masakari as battlefield weapons or as tools during sieges, or as both - e.g. ashigaru with axes would try to cut down palisades, fences and wooden gates with them but if enemies appeared to retaliate, they'd start using the same axes as weapons.
I will always be a sword guy at heart, but nothing gets your primal instincts tingling then an axe digging into the skull of your enemies!
Unless you would call my enemy a log, I don't personally have that experience, but I'll trust you on it!
Assassin Creed games taught me that and it's so much fun 😂
In the bandit scenario, the axe will cut through its leather cover when the bite meets the target and from personal experience as a woodsman a belted axe will never be that long.Also the wood tool name is a hewing broad axe. Makes it easier to square timber into beams. Love your content!
The axe is the shotgun of the medieval world not much target accuracy but when it hits it does the job in a brutal fashion
Um cut down a few trees 2 feet wide min then clean them up with a axe. Use a chainsaw to cut into bolts then split them into firewood. After you will be surprised how very accurate they are. My accuracy with a axe is within 1/8 of an inch at most with a bad swing. So yeah pretty sure in a legit combat situation you are gonna be hitting your mark.
That's a good analogy
Yeah once u get the hang of where the head is its ez to hit
This is 100% my new favourite channel no contest keep it up guys 👍
I feel like I've seen that hand and a half axe referred to as a "boarding axe" somewhere. I feel like that's the only sort of situation that size would be good for, boarding boats in a naval engagement. Or defending a breach in a castle wall. Somewhere that is specifically extremely claustrophobic compared to an open battlefield
It irritates me how few views this gets. It's great content.
0:17 Z-axes or Y-axes?
B-axes.
@@texasbeast239 Why-axes
I own the same axe as the one you grab at 03:50. Excellent piece. I absolutely love it. Ordered it from Wulflund.
I've always thought axes were more useful than swords. Swords only have one function. Axes have versatility on their side. The axe you use to cut wood and set up camp is the same axe you bury in your enemy's skull.
The next like gets bad luck
Except its not. There are many different axes for different purposes.
@@elio7610 not really. they're all the exact same concept. Some of em do certain things better than others, but at the end of the day an axe is an axe.
@@clericofchaos1 In the same way that swords are just a variant of knives, sure. Knives are very useful tools with a variety of uses, probably much more commonly used than axes.
@@elio7610 again, not really. Knives and swords have completely different core concepts. Knives are CREATED to be useful tools, swords aren't. You can do things with a knife that would break a sword and swords really only have one function. They even address this in the video.
The wide axe he was talking about is called a hewing axe. It's purpose was to hew the bark from the tree's and make them square. They were common place until sawmills took over and fell out of use once the chainsaw arrived.
I have a Viking type hatchet I carry while hiking and camping. I carry it on my hip around 4 o'clock position, blade facing back so I don't slice my arm. Best way to belt carry, and quick to access!
I think the middle of the road axe size is often implemented because of animations more than anything, since there seem to be a lot of games that have similar animations for 2h swords and axes. I do remember Skyrim actually having completely separate animations for 2h swords on one side and 2h axes+hammers on the other, though, and axes+hammers are definitely more polearm there.
I would think the mid sized battle axe would have a few situational roles. First, as stated, for shock troops particularly when either trying to break lines and cause chaos or surprise attacks and flanking manuevers. Second would be in environments where space is tighter than an open battlefield but not necessarily enough that you'd want a dedicated one hander or at least variable spacing. For example urban environments like in a seige where there may be indoor combat but also where there is open spaces like on top of walls or in the streets. Also potentially naval engagements like a beefed up earlier version of a boarding axe.
I’ve found a SOG tomahawk to be a great tool too. I’ve found it more multipurpose than a hatchet, not as good at splitting wood but much better for notching or if you get an arrow stuck in a tree.