Historical Combat Axe Edges?

[T.McGee]

So I have been checking out historical combat axes.
But I have not found any specifics on what type of edges were used.
Yes I have also looked at swords and the edges used on them, some of which might be translatable to axes, sort of.
But I have not really found any good source material, mostly just some not great photos.
Anyone have any better info or sources?
Thanks

 

[scdub]

Probably thick edges back when armor was being worn. Thin edges without armor.

 

[DocJD]

Probably thick edges back when armor was being worn. Thin edges without armor.

Various types of shields , also . Less expensive and more common than metal armor , I would think ?

 

[The Zieg]

So I have been checking out historical combat axes.
But I have not found any specifics on what type of edges were used.
Yes I have also looked at swords and the edges used on them, some of which might be translatable to axes, sort of.
But I have not really found any good source material, mostly just some not great photos.
Anyone have any better info or sources?
Thanks

Matt Easton at Scholagladiatoria is a good source for this. See his YouTube channel.

Zieg

 

[The Zieg]

Matt Easton at Scholagladiatoria is a good source for this. See his YouTube channel.

Zieg

I'll try to link some here, but is there a specific question or thought you have on the topic?

Zieg

 

[T.McGee]

Thanks All
Zieg - I use Matts stuff all the time
He goes into depth on sword edge types often - for the axe I cant actually remember ever hearing a specific type
convex/apple seed, asymmetric, lenticular, also used the cross sections flattened diamond, octagonal, fullers, etc...
He did go into it some with the great/Dane axes but that was due to construction (forge welding the steel edge bit into a iron/mild steel body) how thin it was until the weld section
This is part of what I was referring to in the post
I am just curious if anyone has some actual types and or if they have/know of resources to point me in that direction
I am adding a convex edge to a Spyderco Genzow instead of the stock v grind
Just curiosity and gaining some esoteric knowledge is all really

 

[T.McGee]

Actually just heard back from the Arms and Armor guys
'..most axes are sharpened as their users desired for the purpose they had planned.'
if anyone else was curious about this like me

 

[Mecha]

Actually just heard back from the Arms and Armor guys
'..most axes are sharpened as their users desired for the purpose they had planned.'
if anyone else was curious about this like me

That's what we in the bizz call a "non-answer."

IMO to find the real answer to this and similar questions, you simply have to go to a museum or three and look at them for yourself. Or possibly source a good book on the subject if you're lucky enough to find one.

 

[T.McGee]

well they did say that the real answer would take pages and pages before the shortened version
I have been scanning the web and the photos were just more general type (and mostly the real old ones were corroded, so the fine detail was lost)
the more well preserved ones also did not really focus on the edge, more of the overall preservation and only rarely would have specs included in the description
as for the museum I will have to get round to that eventually
the books I have seen are niche printings, so very costly to get the physical book, and not much found just digitally
and I do not have the access any more to the college/university library system to search there
so crowd sourcing online it is
for now
Also further down the line I will be getting another of your blades

 

[T.McGee]

I am also interested in polearms, so I have found one of the niche books that goes in depth on it, but for $125 + (if you can find it since it is out of print) for just some random interest curiosity answering - that can be cost prohibitive

 

[JoeBusic]

Everything was thin back then due to scarcity of material. Mostly it was convex edge with a low start angle then went up to cca 25° per side. Thin axes penetrate armor easily. Maybe there was a smash type of an axe, but never saw one.

 

[T.McGee]

Thanks Joe

 

[Mecha]

well they did say that the real answer would take pages and pages before the shortened version

That's probably true. Someone has emailed me to ask what would seem to be a simple question about forging titanium. The full answer would end up looking like a long essay. I haven't responded yet, and might just say something like, "Most axes titanium are sharpened is forged as their users desired for the purpose they had planned."

 

[T.McGee]

You are welcome for the turn of phrase
Use it to your hearts content