Ax unmatched in edged weapon combat

[knifedaddy84]

Anyone catch that show on the History Channel (The Axeman Cometh) about the history of the ax? It was fascinating.

As one of man's oldest and most important tools, the ax has reigned supreme for the last ten thousand years. It was crucial in allowing people to move to agrarian societies by letting them clear land, make things, and build permanent structures.

And on the battlefield the ax was unmatched, becoming the preferred weapon of aggressive fighters such as the Vikings, Normans, and other assorted berserkers. The interesting thing is that the ax was a weapon of attack, not defense, and to use it effectively the user had to always be on the offensive and wear little or no armor. I was surprised to see the demonstrations that showed how the ax, when skillfully wielded, was usually devastating against even the best opponent armed with sword, shield, and armor. An armored swordsman stood little chance against a half naked man with an ax.

It must have been a horrible way to leave this world.

 

[RobertHankins]

I agree an Axe well designed and strong is hard to beat. There are a number of our troops carring modern fighting Hawks in Kuwait right now!
Usually I build Bowies and fighters but I am in the process of making my first Custom Hawk. Just thought you might be interested in seeing it.
Here's a link for the rough out design.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=242997&highlight=hawk
It will be getting a exotic wood handle instead of the Delrin one shown.

 

[knifedaddy84]

I've been reading a number of posts here from military personnel being prohibited from carrying practically anything but a multi-tool, it seems fixed blades are a no-no. So I'm surprised to hear they can pack combat axes!

Nice work, by the way.

 

[RobertHankins]

Forgot to mention,
These are the Special Forces guys, Andy @ American Tomahawk Company was kind enough to supply many of them with his fantastic fighting Hawks.
Check him out in the Manf. forums

 

[RogerP]

There's probably something to that whole axe thing... I'm a big fan of big bowies and there were plenty of those at the recent Arkansas custom knife show (one of which I bought ) but this hawk by master smith Joe Flournoy was easily the scariest edged weapon at the show, as well as one of the most beautiful.

Cheers,

RogerP

 

[RH]

I've been thinking that for an "under the bed" quick access SD device in a home with kids, a hammer or "not-sharp" axe is ideal. Guns have obvious drawbacks, being that you sacrifice accessibility for safety, and real edged weapons (knives) are dangerous to curious kids. A dulled axe is still a potent weapon, that a kid wouldn't cut himself with.

 

[knifedaddy84]

That is a good thought. Unlike guns and knives, strength is needed to turn the ax into a weapon.

Another huge advantage of the ax is psychological, as instinctively one tends to retreat from an ax-wielder.

Plus, add a maniacal laugh that makes it seem like you are *glad* they broke into your house and you've won.

What are some good axes suitable for home defense?

 

[notos&w]

word of caution: a neighborhood friend nearly cut off a child's fingers with a hatchet which was "not sharp". he may not cut his finger but if he goes to swinging fingers might be least of your worries. personally id be loathe to give a child access to even a ball peen hammer.

 

[allenC]

Knifedaddy, while the military in general are super paranoid about letting personnel carry large fixed-blades, they do allow the bayonet on occasion as well as machetes in tropical climates.

And don't forget that hummers come with a "pioneer kit" which includes a D-handle shovel, a mattock, and a full-sized AX!

Good luck,
Allen.

 

[knifedaddy84]

Originally posted by allenC
the military in general are super paranoid about letting personnel carry large fixed-blades

Why is that? They carry some of the most advanced firearms on the planet...but not a nice knife? Is there a reason for that ridiculousness? Weird to think civilians can tote bigger blades than a soldier.

 

[allenC]

Yeah, they carry great weapons but the command is real reluctant to pass out the ammo too.

What can I say, young men in large numbers, who have been trained to kill, can be very dangerous...especially to their least favorite NCOs or Officers.

It's probably a Viet Nam "fear of fragging" mentality that will not go away. As I understand it, back in the Nam era alot of leaders were scared of their own Soldiers. This might have been somewhat justified considering some of those Soldiers were draftees who hated the military anyway.

OTOH, alot of our young warriors simply can't be trusted with ammo and blades. Some are a threat to themselves and their platoon more they are to the enemy.
When I served, I knew a few folks who I wanted in front of me so that I could keep an eye on them, rather than behind me.

Sad, but true.
Allen.

 

[dizos]

It will be getting a exotic wood handle instead of the Delrin one shown

As pretty as they are, wood handles seem to be the weak link on axe designs. Having used axes extensively in the past doing Forest Service trail clearing, I found that a fiberglass handle is far superior. After extended chopping your arm will get tired and you will hit the handle hard frequently. I wonder if there are any other good impact resistant materials one could use...

-- Dizos

 

[bquinlan]

Originally posted by knifedaddy84
An armored swordsman stood little chance against a half naked man with an ax.

You should keep in mind that the demonstration above was staged for a special about axes, not swords... I'm fond of axes myself, but historically the sword was far more popular even among the Vikings. Axes have generally filled a niche similar to greatswords, in that they were most effective as a weapon used by specialists within a larger and more conventionally armed force.

The greatest advantage of an axe in modern combat is that it is very likely to be the largest hand-to-hand weapon employed. The hauk is an excellent compromise of power to size and weight.

--Bob Q

 

[RobertHankins]

Roger,
That is a beautiful weapon

 

[RL]

Very interesting! I wish that I saw the program!

What do you think of something like this??

RL

 

[Orion]

B Quinlan is correct.
I watched about the first 15 minutes of that show and the first thing that came to my mind when the guy started talking about the superiority of the axe was "BS"!!!!
He hands a novice a sword and shield and then tells him to defend as he runs wildly at him banging the axe off the shield. All the novice can do is backpedal. After noticing the complete lack of footwork by the axe wielder and the fact that swinging the heavy axe is slow and cumbersome I couldn't help but think that a skilled swordsman with a rapier would handle this guy with the axe quite handily. And a skilled samurai would have fileted his forehead quickly. I just don't buy it. Yeah, I like axes and they are formidable weapons but if you have a SKILLED swordsman vs. a SKILLED axeman, my money is on the swordsman 99 times out of 100. After that I changed the channel.

That is a nice hatchet in RL's post. Who made it and where is it available? The only thing I can see thet would be a drawback is that the deep finger cutouts would probably become very uncomfortable over a short period of time when doing utility work.

Peace-
Cam

 

[RL]

Orion, that is Greg Lightfoot's new Combat Axe...you can find out more here: http://www.lightfootknives.com/axe.html

RL

 

[Benjamin]

The show is called "Conquest". It's produced by the bald guy, Peter Woodward. Along with being a shakespearean (and some sci-fi) actor, he's a fight arranger. I'm 99% sure the people in those episodes are his band, not just persons off the street.

In previous episodes covering other arms, the axe didn't fare quite as well. However, when they were attacking a chainmail hauberk with different weapons, it was Woodward with an axe who split it, almost completely.

Food for thought.

-Ben

P.S. Conquest is on the history channel @ 8:30 and 12:30 -- right after Mail Call.