I love these videos for the hilarious interpretations. Has anyone actually figured out what a "Dane axe" is? Hint the Norse made a lot of boats and each person had his job. A "Dane axe" is actually a hewing axe used to make planks from logs and to square timber. If you look at the full range of axes used to make a large boat, you will see the full range available to Vikings on the battlefield. Hewing axes take a big man to use them, so logically when a big man went to war he took his axe with him. You don't see a carpenter using a Dane axe, and the famous throwing axe?? It's used for caulking in traditional boat work. I'm six foot four inches tall and the only axe that I can use comfortably for long periods is a hewing axe or Dane axe, everything else is too small.
I've always thought that the Dane Axe was "Fear" weapon. Something capable of smashing bones, even through the best armour of the day, must have given even the bravest pause for thought. Nice to see someone agree with what I've always instinctively believed. Another good video.
Perhaps the axe was used in a unit formation for special tactics? A Swedish axe smith named Tord Bergelin thinks they were. He makes his axes with a shaft of 40" to perhaps 45", which he bases on looking at artwork like the Bayeux tapestry. Some Huscarls used the horns to pull back shields, while other parried spear shafts, and one or more may have hacks the enemy to break up a shield wall.It's just an idea of his. It's interesting how think the blades were. Almost as thin as a sword.
I find that A LOT of academics (who often don't have much of a contact sports background) severely underestimate just how fast & strong a big, physically fit man in his prime actually is. Let alone an elite soldier - the biggest, meanest, most imposing men - specially selected for their physical attributes.
I think if I had to be in 10th century battle, I would choose a spear and an axe as a back up. If not a spear, some type of lighter polearm. Watching HEMA, I actually think the axe is an excellent weapon. It seems like many choose it in HEMA from what I've seen, though they generally aren't Dane Axes, they seem a bit shorter, but still effective. I also like the axes with the spiked back end to concentrate the strike if needed.
Funny how English speakers use Harald Hardraade's character description for his last name or family name. Hardraade literally means "Hard Ruler", a description of is style as a ruler, not a name. The same goes for Ragnar Lodhbrok (Loðbrók), which is simply a description of the trousers he was known for wearing: Fur Pants!
Axes, like hammers, didn't have to go through armor. Sure it didn't cut through the mail but it shattered the person's bones who was wearing it, effectively taking them out of the fight anyway. Even in plate armor, no it's not going through but you are in the can as the axe blows crush it. Not hard to figure out. Not many swords can say the same as they were meant for show, or the gaps.
I don't think those axes were used in the plate armor era. They were used in 1066, but I wonder how long after? I think they may have been specialist weapons for units dealing with a pack of shields and spears.
@@MrPotatoesLatkieDane axes stopped being used later on against plate because you can’t do much against plate with one, smaller one handed axes where used alongside shields etc, but the Dane axe was a baseline as an early pole arm and morphed into halberds/glaives.
Insanity! But how was it actually deployed in battle? Was the handle that long? Was it shorter? Was the tip of the axe used like a spear more that just hacking? One would assume the weapon would be used over and over again in battle instead of one swing and possibly getting “stuck” in human bone or horse or what ever is on the battlefield. It’s a bit of a mystery to me to comprehend. Hacking left and right may have gotten a couple kills but in the heat of battle there is fog of war…. How did the Husecarls deploy this?
Handle lenght was usually between 60-110 cm and they may have been used one handed two. Longer ones were ceremonial. Yes, you can use the tip for stabbing.
The was 100% used in battle, the weapon was used behind the shields to strike from above or stab. the frontline warrior are the not the one who goes for the kill. they are hold the line and make gaps for spears and dane axes to be uses to go for the kills.
I can shop that deep with a smaler axe then that. And you never see a golfer swing his club around his head like that. In battle it would be very dangerous if your fellow viking next to you startet too swing like that. Naa, I think they were slightly bigger, and more brute force. Imagene working as a farmer, rowing everywhere, a axe like that would be like a toothpick for them.
Viking axe= horrible weapon. hard to use . Range is awkward . Small edge . Only slashing damage or possible blunt but not enough bad at big sieges with lots of troops. Only way to use it is to have massive experience and no fear of retaliation after a swing. Imo vikings best weapon wasnt their weapon in itself cause its shit. It was their no fear and experience using their weapons.
I don't think that it was very usefull in the center of any Battlefield. The shaft is too long . I guess at last they would operate with diggers and other short arms
I love these videos for the hilarious interpretations. Has anyone actually figured out what a "Dane axe" is? Hint the Norse made a lot of boats and each person had his job. A "Dane axe" is actually a hewing axe used to make planks from logs and to square timber. If you look at the full range of axes used to make a large boat, you will see the full range available to Vikings on the battlefield. Hewing axes take a big man to use them, so logically when a big man went to war he took his axe with him. You don't see a carpenter using a Dane axe, and the famous throwing axe?? It's used for caulking in traditional boat work. I'm six foot four inches tall and the only axe that I can use comfortably for long periods is a hewing axe or Dane axe, everything else is too small.
Axes were cheaper, easier and faster to make than swords. Axes also required less steel to make. Not everyone had or could afford a sword.
I've always thought that the Dane Axe was "Fear" weapon. Something capable of smashing bones, even through the best armour of the day, must have given even the bravest pause for thought. Nice to see someone agree with what I've always instinctively believed. Another good video.
It's capable of cutting deep into the human body. The blades are thin in cross section, and light weapons with two hands.
Perhaps the axe was used in a unit formation for special tactics? A Swedish axe smith named Tord Bergelin thinks they were. He makes his axes with a shaft of 40" to perhaps 45", which he bases on looking at artwork like the Bayeux tapestry. Some Huscarls used the horns to pull back shields, while other parried spear shafts, and one or more may have hacks the enemy to break up a shield wall.It's just an idea of his. It's interesting how think the blades were. Almost as thin as a sword.
I love how the academic talks of it as an impractical weapon and then they hand one to a giant named Bear who uses it like a scalpel.
I find that A LOT of academics (who often don't have much of a contact sports background) severely underestimate just how fast & strong a big, physically fit man in his prime actually is. Let alone an elite soldier - the biggest, meanest, most imposing men - specially selected for their physical attributes.
I think if I had to be in 10th century battle, I would choose a spear and an axe as a back up. If not a spear, some type of lighter polearm. Watching HEMA, I actually think the axe is an excellent weapon. It seems like many choose it in HEMA from what I've seen, though they generally aren't Dane Axes, they seem a bit shorter, but still effective. I also like the axes with the spiked back end to concentrate the strike if needed.
Funny how English speakers use Harald Hardraade's character description for his last name or family name. Hardraade literally means "Hard Ruler", a description of is style as a ruler, not a name. The same goes for Ragnar Lodhbrok (Loðbrók), which is simply a description of the trousers he was known for wearing: Fur Pants!
Pagan goat trousers!
Axes, like hammers, didn't have to go through armor. Sure it didn't cut through the mail but it shattered the person's bones who was wearing it, effectively taking them out of the fight anyway. Even in plate armor, no it's not going through but you are in the can as the axe blows crush it. Not hard to figure out. Not many swords can say the same as they were meant for show, or the gaps.
also metal needed, you could probaly make several axeheads from one ulfbert.
I don't think those axes were used in the plate armor era. They were used in 1066, but I wonder how long after? I think they may have been specialist weapons for units dealing with a pack of shields and spears.
@@MrPotatoesLatkieDane axes stopped being used later on against plate because you can’t do much against plate with one, smaller one handed axes where used alongside shields etc, but the Dane axe was a baseline as an early pole arm and morphed into halberds/glaives.
Bear definitely produced results, I suspect if handled with a bit more finesse you might even see bigger effects
Excellent!
Insanity! But how was it actually deployed in battle? Was the handle that long? Was it shorter? Was the tip of the axe used like a spear more that just hacking? One would assume the weapon would be used over and over again in battle instead of one swing and possibly getting “stuck” in human bone or horse or what ever is on the battlefield. It’s a bit of a mystery to me to comprehend. Hacking left and right may have gotten a couple kills but in the heat of battle there is fog of war…. How did the Husecarls deploy this?
Handle lenght was usually between 60-110 cm and they may have been used one handed two. Longer ones were ceremonial. Yes, you can use the tip for stabbing.
The was 100% used in battle, the weapon was used behind the shields to strike from above or stab. the frontline warrior are the not the one who goes for the kill. they are hold the line and make gaps for spears and dane axes to be uses to go for the kills.
My favorite weapon :D
Are you sure the Vikings did not consider those axes tools for chopping down trees and carving their longboats out of them?
I can shop that deep with a smaler axe then that. And you never see a golfer swing his club around his head like that. In battle it would be very dangerous if your fellow viking next to you startet too swing like that. Naa, I think they were slightly bigger, and more brute force. Imagene working as a farmer, rowing everywhere, a axe like that would be like a toothpick for them.
Ok, you stand in front of it.
Hope you guys have a good BBQ after this…
...by the time Big Guy twirls his axe around a second time I've speared or stuck him with a blade of some sort at least once...
Viking axe= horrible weapon. hard to use . Range is awkward . Small edge . Only slashing damage or possible blunt but not enough bad at big sieges with lots of troops. Only way to use it is to have massive experience and no fear of retaliation after a swing. Imo vikings best weapon wasnt their weapon in itself cause its shit. It was their no fear and experience using their weapons.
A fairly inadequate weapon then... or a very bad copy of a better weapon.
Oh, so that's why it was used for many centuries. Fresh knowledge is always interesting.
I don't think that it was very usefull in the center of any Battlefield. The shaft is too long . I guess at last they would operate with diggers and other short arms
yes and no, but it depends on the tactics, remember later, that Halbards and the like actually got a significant place in the battlefield