An ax is a universal weapon. They use it to chop wood or... enemies. In ancient times, it was difficult to imagine a warrior without a battle axe. Largely because of its convenience: with a relatively low weight, it had impressive striking power. Therefore, the battle ax was equally effective against infantry and cavalry. In our review of the top 5 most formidable and popular battle axes of the past.
1. Ax
The ax has long occupied a dominant position in the warrior’s armament among other types of battle axes. She was especially loved by the Scandinavian warriors - the Vikings. The Slavs also had a fairly common weapon.
The ax is distinguished by a special blade shape - in the form of a crescent up to 35 centimeters long. In addition, the long shaft made the strikes incredibly productive. A special design made it possible to use the ax as a kind of harpoon to pull an enemy off a horse.
The ax was popular until the late Middle Ages, when the era of knights gradually became a thing of the past, and they were replaced by lightly armed warriors. Swords and sabers were capable of cutting through thinner chain mail, and there was no longer a need for heavy battle axes.
Interesting fact: The “revival” of the ax took place not so long ago and, oddly enough, in Hollywood. Directors and producers really loved these double-bladed axes. And although they are considered one of the most inconvenient modifications of these weapons, their impressive appearance has attracted cinema.
2. Berdysh
In a sense, the reed can be called a type of ax. It also has a moon-shaped blade, but it is more elongated and has a sharp top. Another distinctive feature of this type of ax was the presence at the end of the long shaft (ratovishcha) of the so-called underflow - a special metal tip. It was installed so that the weapon could be placed vertically, resting it on the ground.
Berdysh was very convenient in close combat. The long shaft helped to keep the enemy at some distance, and the rounded blade helped to deliver crushing blows. The sharp end allowed the ax to also perform a stabbing function. The fairly wide blade was also capable of repelling enemy blows, and the warrior could even do without a shield.
The mounted troops had their own modification of this weapon. This reed was lighter and smaller in size. It had another distinctive feature: metal rings were threaded into it along the entire length of the blade. The berdysh gradually fell out of mass use by warriors around the same period as the ax itself.
3. Bearded ax
Today this weapon is also called the “grandfather’s axe,” which indicates its traditional nature and widespread use. Its homeland is considered to be northern Europe, presumably in the territory of modern Norway. This ax has a number of characteristic features that distinguish it from other “relatives”. The blade has a clearly horizontal upper edge, but the lower part, on the contrary, is elongated.
This unusual design made it possible to perform several functions at once: both as a chopping and as a cutting weapon. The elongated part itself, the so-called. The “beard” made it possible for a double grip, with one hand protected by the blade itself. And the short handle made the ax lighter, and the warrior could use not only the force of the blow, but also the speed.
Due to its characteristics, the beard-shaped ax was quite universal: it was used both in everyday life and during battle. This made the Scandinavian warriors very fond of him: as you know, the Vikings had fairly light boats, so they clearly could not afford heavy, bulky luggage.
4. Valashka
Wallachka is a battle ax with a clear localization of its distribution. It can be called the “national” weapon of the Carpathian highlanders. It is worth saying that this ax is popular among Romanians, Hutsuls, and Lemkos, but it has different names: bartka, balta, topirets. Actually, the weapon received the name “Wallachka” from the Romanian historical region of Wallachia, where the legendary Vlad the Impaler was from.
The valashka is a narrow wedge-shaped knob on a long handle. The butt of the ax was often made in the form of a forged animal head or simply decorated with carved ornaments. This design allowed the ax to be universal in use. It was used both as a weapon and as a staff while moving in the mountains.
Valashka was so loved by the Carpathian mountaineers that it became, among other things, part of their national costume. The ax was also used as a ritual object - they even danced with it. Wallashka was a kind of sign of the status of a married man, the head of the family.
5. Polex
The Polex was a very popular polearm for foot combat among European warriors of the 14th and 15th centuries. He was especially loved by the participants of padarms - knightly tournaments with theatrical elements. According to information, Polex had many varieties and modifications, differing in size, weight or additional equipment.
The main distinguishing characteristics of the polex were the long spike at the top of the weapon and at its lower end. The shape of the blade varied: heavy, wide, or in the form of a hammer with a counterweight spike. The individual parts of the ax head were attached to one another with pins or bolts.
Polex, being a tournament weapon, assumed the presence of additional protective elements, even if they reduced its combat effectiveness. For example, on the shaft of an ax there were sometimes splints - special metal strips that protected it from being cut. In some cases, special discs were also used to protect the hands during battle, the so-called rondels.
An ax is a thing known to almost everyone as a very useful tool for peaceful creative work. We will also talk about another aspect of the ax - combat. And of course, the entire text will be illustrated with pictures, where there are a lot of axes and people with axes (and without)...
An intermediate position between purely impact weapons and bladed (cutting-cutting-piercing) weapons is occupied by a large group of impact-cutting weapons. This name hides all types of battle axes. As a means of cutting down trees and enemy heads, the ax has been known since ancient times, since the Stone Age.
The sharp chip of the ax provided not a simple blow, but penetration, clearly marking the chopping side.
The ax is probably the most typical example of a household tool that has turned into a weapon. This explains its wide distribution and presence among almost all nations before the advent of such purely military weapons as the sword. But even after the spread of the sword, the battle ax, especially in the West, was perhaps its most important rival.
Making an ax is much easier than making a sword. It is more multifunctional. At close range it can also be used as a throwing weapon, easily penetrating enemy defenses. The power of a chopping blow with an ax is very great due to its large mass and relatively short blade length compared to a sword.
With the corners of the blade you can not only catch the enemy, but also poke him. The butt can also work as a warhead, and its handle can end with a knob or a point.
The ax can be used with one or two hands. The ability to take it with a wide grip gives its owner an advantage in close combat. The ax is very effective against an armored opponent. With it, like a club, you can simply crush the armor if you couldn’t cut through it, stun the enemy, stun him. In general, the penetrating power of an ax is very high.
Battle axes can be classified into two main categories - the length of the handle, which determines the overall size of the weapon, and the shape of the ax blade. The handle can be of three main sizes. An ax with a long handle, which is already a pole weapon, is designed mainly for combat with a mounted enemy.
A two-handed ax or a large ax with a handle up to one meter long is held with both hands by both the end and with a wide grip, which makes it possible to block part of the blows with the handle, strike and hit with the second end, which is often equipped with a blade or tip.
With a wide grip, the second hand is usually directly under the blade and is often covered by the curved part of it. This length of the handle allows you to sharply change the combat distance and use the ax as a weapon for a horseman who can, holding it by the end with one hand, “get” an infantryman. Compared to a sword of the same length, such an ax is much more convenient in close combat and in cramped conditions in general, for example, in small rooms or narrow corridors.
A short or so-called hand ax, the length of the handle of which does not exceed the length of the forearm, can be used in pairs, both as a weapon for the left hand and as a throwing weapon. For such battle axes, the handle may end with a thickening or a knob so that the weapon does not slip out of the hand during strong chopping blows and rotations, and also as a support for the hand holding the ax during pulling blows.
Holding such an ax directly under the blade, it can be used to deliver brass knuckle-type blows. As for the shape of the blade, we will consider three main types. The ax itself usually has a fairly straight blade, bent downwards somewhat more than upwards - this strengthens the blow from top to bottom and partially covers the hand. The width is equal to or greater than the length of the blade.
This is especially evident in the early forms of the axe, where the emphasis was mainly on its chopping, piercing abilities. Such axes had a very elongated shape (from the butt to the blade), and the width of the ax could even be twice the length of its blade.
The ax has a clearly defined semicircular, moon-shaped blade, the length of which is usually greater than its width.
This shape of the blade somewhat reduces the penetrating power of the weapon, but increases its ability to poke strikes with the upper angle and makes it possible to perform not just chopping, but also chopping with pull (“collapse”) blows.
We will call that form of an ax where the upper end sharply protrudes forward, turning it almost into a piercing-cutting weapon, a reed, although the classic reed, which also provides complete protection for the second hand, since the lower part of its tip is adjacent to the handle , found only in Russia and Poland.
Finally, we will call an ax with a blade tapering towards the end, having a triangular or dagger-shaped shape, a klevets. The technique of working with it is similar to working with embossing, but also allows for cutting blows due to the presence of a blade.
The ax can be single-sided or double-sided. In the first case, the side opposite the blade is called the butt and can be equipped with an additional hook or spike.
In the second, the blades of the ax are on both sides and, as a rule, have the same size and shape. Their working technique allows them to cut in two directions without turning the blade, and also to easily perform “counter”, similar to jabbing, forward strikes aimed at repelling direct attacks.
The ax is equally common on all continents, but the technique of working with it has reached its greatest development in Europe, where it is the second weapon after the sword. In the Far East, the ax in its pure form was supplanted by the claw and halberd, and although both the ax and the ax are included in the list of eighteen classical types of Chinese weapons, they are used much less frequently.
The reason for its unpopularity may be that here it is less functional, since there is no need to pierce heavy armor with it, and other elements of its technique are successfully implemented when working with other types of eastern weapons. For example, many of the bends and hooks characteristic of the European technique of working with an ax are found in the technique of working with a Chinese and Japanese sickle.
The historical development of the ax shape as a weapon looks like this. The most ancient metal axes had a short handle, convenient for household use, and a narrow blade, copying the shape of a stone ax.
However, the metal tip was, of course, much sharper than the stone one, and the effectiveness of its impact began to depend not so much on the amount of mass distributed along the length of the blade, but on the width of the chopping surface. This shape of the ax lengthened its handle, making it capable of cutting off branches well or using it as a kind of hook, like a Canadian lumberjack, which is used by raftsmen and lumberjacks. The long handle made it possible to better use the inertia of the weapon’s movement and made the ax a weapon not only for infantrymen, but also for horsemen. The development of the ax as a military weapon took place along the line of replacing cutting-penetrating techniques with cutting-cutting ones. First the ax appeared, then the reed, which is no longer suitable as a household tool.
The evolution of the biting fish followed a different path. A stone chopper on a stick combined the functions of an ax and a knife. The main idea of a klevets is a knife mounted on a stick. Subsequently, the klevet, the penetrating qualities of which became more and more intensified until it was transformed into a faceted coin, seemed to pick up that group of techniques that faded into the background during the transformation of the ax into a cutting weapon. A new attempt to combine both groups in one weapon was combined axes, the head of which was a hammer or a klevet.
All the dynamics described above can be traced in one form or another both in the West and in the East. The ancient Egyptians were armed with axes
Since the time of the Trojan War, the ancient Greeks actively fought with them, using both an ordinary and a double-sided ax.
However, during the era of the Roman Empire, the use of the ax in the army gradually began to fade away - the Romans, with their well-established system of combat in close formation, did not need this type of weapon. During this period, the auxiliary troops of the Italian allies or the lictor's guard were armed with an axe.
The turning point came at the end of the empire, when the Roman army encountered well-armed barbarian, mainly Germanic, tribes, whose favorite weapon was the battle ax - “Francis”.
Outwardly, the franciska fit an ordinary axe, but had a crooked bend at the bottom. It was a percussion technique, and Frankish warriors were known for their ability to cut off limbs and split open skulls with their battle axes. Sometimes Francis was thrown around. The ax was the symbol of the Fransian warrior. He never parted with it during his lifetime and went to the grave with it - it was placed on the feet of the deceased.
With the development of chivalry, the ax became the second weapon after the sword. Its forms varied. Polish and German axes acquired an almost L-shaped shape, convenient for inflicting wide wounds.
In England, the ax was often used as a weapon for the second hand, holding a sword in the first. In this case, with an ax it was possible to pick up the enemy’s leg, pull his sword away, grabbing him with the ax like a hook; Having blocked the sword with the sword, strike a powerful blow with the axe. Everywhere in Europe, the ax was used in conjunction with a shield.
The use of a shield made it possible, for example, to block the blow of a sword with it, to hook the enemy’s sword or hand with an ax so that his sword was, as it were, sandwiched between the shield and the ax. Then, with a sharp jerk towards himself, he was knocked out. And against the enemy’s shield, you could hit it from top to bottom by the edge, pull it towards yourself and, when the enemy opens up, poke the corner of the ax into his head. The ax fighting technique of the Scandinavian Vikings was considered very good, whose battle axes had the appearance of a cleaver, against which any armor was practically ineffective. And although some heroes even managed to throw such axes, which reached the warrior’s shoulder, the technique of using it was quite varied and included not only chopping blows, but also thrusting with the upper edge of the ax.
In this way, it was possible not only to repulse the enemy’s sword, but also to try to seriously damage his hand, and the arc-shaped trajectory of the movement made it possible, having thus neutralized the enemy’s weapon, to easily strike him with full force with the next movement. In close combat, the second end of the ax was also actively used, with which sensitive pokes were applied. The cavalry was cut with a Danish-type battle axe, which also had a semicircular shape. The upper edge of this type of ax was elongated, and the handle had a slight upward bend, which increased the force of the blow. They chopped with such an ax, holding it with both hands by the handle and rising in stirrups.
The ancient Slavs also knew the battle ax well. Archaeological excavations, especially in Northern Rus', show that the number of battle axes there was twice as large as the number of swords.
The battle ax of the ancient Slavs is similar to an ordinary carpenter's ax, but often has a recess at the bottom that covers the hand well when gripping the blade. The Slavic ax is somewhat shorter and lighter than the Scandinavian one. It, just like the Scandinavian axe, has the ability to hit with an ax like a brass knuckles, but since it was much lighter, it was more convenient to maneuver. You could even twist it in a figure eight when gripping it under the blade. An iron or iron-bound handle was used not only for poking, but also for striking. Both infantrymen and horsemen were armed with an axe.
By the 15th century, the main type of European battle ax became a one-handed ax with a straight, often metal handle. The weight of such a battle ax averaged 1.2 kg, and the length was 80-90 cm. The handle was clearly visible and sometimes even marked with a restrictive ring. On the butt there was a spike-piercer, a hook, or most often a coin.
The blade of the ax combined with the chasing was usually quite thin. Such weapons can be considered combined; they were intended for combat with various types of armor. Stronger and more durable armor was pierced by chasing, weaker ones were hacked or cut through with an ax. Sometimes the butt ended with a platform with projections, which is very reminiscent of a hammer for preparing chops.
The ax blade could have different shapes and lengths. Its standard length was about 20 cm, although some types of axes, stylized as ancient examples, had a blade length of only 7-8 cm. The large ax was used much less frequently, as was the ax on a long shaft, supplanted by the halberd and its many varieties.
An interesting type of ax developed in the Carpathian region. Valashka...
It had a very small blade, about 7 cm long, and a miniature butt and served as both an ax and a cane.
This ax can be manipulated almost like a stick. Wallachka was both a weapon of local bandits and, as in other regions, a symbol of dignity and wealth. Such axes were usually inlaid, decorated with carvings and precious metals. Ambassadorial axes in Rus' also served as a similar symbol.
By the 16th century, the ax became an honorary weapon or was equipped with various hidden devices. You can hide a dagger in the ax handle; the hollow shaft can hide a sword, which is not secured inside and flies out when simply shaken. The crowning achievement of such invention was the cricket, a hybrid of an ax and a pistol, the muzzle of which was located at the end of the handle, near the blade, and the handle itself served as the barrel.
Similar “mutant” axes were widely used in the second half of the 16th century, but by the 17th century the battle ax as a weapon ceased to exist.
The ax remained in Eastern Europe somewhat longer as a reed, turning into a long, powerful blade on a long handle, which could easily cut, chop and stab. The Croatian berdysh, with a total length of 153 cm, has a blade about 50 cm long, rounded at the top like a saber. Its lower part had a complex curved shape and could be used for a variety of hooks. The Russian berdysh is a much more multifunctional weapon. Its rather long notch, formed by the lower end of the blade recessed into the shaft, completely protects the hand, which is very convenient to hold the shaft in this place, especially when you need to change the combat distance.
Unlike other types of axes, it is convenient to use the reed with a reverse grip, acting like a scythe - this is what the warriors armed with it did, moving in the front ranks of the infantry and cutting off the enemy’s legs. The total length of the reed varied from 145 to 170 cm, and the length of its blade - from 65 to 80 cm.
The technique of working with a reed is extremely similar to working with a Chinese dadao or Japanese naginata. The principles of fighting with a powerful blade on a long shaft are largely the same and, perhaps, that is why in Russian literature the name “dadao” (Chinese “big sword” or “big knife”) is translated by the word “berdysh”, although it has a completely different configuration and form of attachment to the shaft.
Finishing the conversation about the reed, I would like to note that this form of weapon is no longer an ax and occupies an intermediate position between it and a halberd. It’s a bit of a shame that such good edged weapons appeared too late - when they were increasingly being replaced by firearms, and the reed often served not so much as a weapon, but as a stand for a arquebus or as a ceremonial, “decorative” element adorning the guard of honor.
The ax was also known in India, where it had a short handle and a wide moon-shaped blade. The technique of their work was quite simple and was based on ordinary chopping blows.
The Japanese masakari, as a rule, had a long handle and was, in general, a pole weapon.
Warriors armed with it are found in drawings reflecting the acts of samurai of the Kamakura period (1185-1333), but even there these weapons are the weapons of selected warriors. The length of the shaft is up to two meters, the blade is massive and heavy, semicircular in shape, and the butt is powerful.
In Korea, the battle ax was also widespread, both before the unification of the Three States (668) and after the strengthening of Chinese influence. Judging by the frescoes, the Korean battle ax was two-handed, with a massive, slightly beveled blade. A blow from such a two-handed ax easily pierced almost any armor. Over time, thanks to Chinese influence, the use of the ax was limited, and by the 16th century. it was preserved as a specific weapon of the Korean fleet. Ax of the 16th century. also two-handed, has a semicircular blade, a complex butt with several hooks bent in different directions, and a spear point on the shaft. Immediately below the blade there are two oblique protrusions that serve as a stop for the hand and are used to “catch” enemy weapons. The technique of working with this weapon was very diverse and was more reminiscent of working with a halberd than with an ax.
In China, the battle ax was called "fu" and existed in two main functional versions. A two-handed or large ax "dafu" and a one-handed ax used in pairs - "shuangfu".
With a battle ax, not only ordinary chopping and cutting blows are performed, but also blocks with the butt or upper edge, as well as wide sweeping blows. Both infantry and cavalry were armed with an ax in China. Usually the blade of a horseman's ax was shorter, making it easier to chop than to cut.
The battle ax was the weapon of many heroes of Chinese classics. One of the most famous characters in Shi Nai'an's novel "River Pools" Li Kui, the Black Whirlwind, fights with two powerful battle axes (one of the systems of wielding them is named after him), and another hero of the same novel, So Chao, fights with a battle ax on a long handle, sitting on a horse.
The ax was also a weapon of the martial arts of Indonesia and the Philippines. The Philippine axe, whose working technique is based on the same basic movements as working with a standard stick, is a dual weapon, has a clear semicircular blade shape, both ends of which are recessed into the handle. The Malay-Indonesian battle ax is similar in appearance to the Chinese one, but its handle often ends in a crowbar-type head. The Malay ax is called the kapak (and its shorter and smaller version is the kapak kesil). The technique of working with it includes poking and chopping blows, similar to blows with a knife, held under the handle.
The ax served as the basis for the creation of other types of weapons. The combination of an ax with a spear gave birth to a halberd; an attempt to place it on a shaft with the blade upward led to the creation of a “shovel” type weapon,
and the slightly curved and sharpened only from the inside (bottom) klevets was transformed into a combat sickle.
This review is based on K. V. Asmolov’s article “The Sword’s Rival” and an excerpt from Evart Oakeshott’s book “The Knight and His Weapons” about axes.
Ax is one of the types of battle axes, characterized by a semicircular blade shape (crescent). It can have one or two cutting parts and a long handle, which allows the entire structure to be well balanced and allows maneuvering during combat.
Story
The history of man is strongly connected with weapons. At first, its use was necessary in order to kill the animal and obtain food. Then to protect their home, and subsequently, to capture new territories. War is one of the constant companions of progress, forcing us to develop and modernize our military weapons.
Ancient prototype
It is believed that the ancestor of the ax is an ordinary stone ax. It is believed that their age can be considered from the Upper Paleolithic, that is, more than 20 thousand years. A piece of stone was attached to the handle using strips of leather or animal tendons. Part of the stone (the tip) chipped when it hit other stones.
At a later time, the shaft could fit firmly into the hole in the ax handle, which was sometimes (for greater reliability) filled with resin.
Sacrificial Attribute
The first axes were found during excavations of cities in Greece. The ancient weapon was called Labrys and looked like a double-sided ax with two semicircular blades. According to historical documents, they were used by priestesses of the Mother Goddess during ceremonies to kill a sacrificial animal, most often a bull.
Labrys Interesting! The weapon was often enormous in size (larger than a man's height). This is exactly the artifact that was found during excavations on the island of Crete.
Spreading
It is believed that this type of military attributes was actively used by the ancient Greeks in the first millennium AD and from there spread to other territories. Having reached the Scythians, Labrys was modernized and turned into the Sagaris ax. The weapons came to the Russian knights from the Vikings and Gauls and also changed as the warriors encountered German knights clad in armor. In order to break armor, Russian axes had a special spike on the reverse side, often curved downwards.
Fact. In Asian countries, skilled fighters preferred the ax to the axe, since it was better balanced and gave much more maneuverability.
Today
These days, the poleaxe has become less popular than the axe, as it is a more compact and easy-to-carry weapon. However, true experts know the value of this ancient type of weapon.
Characteristics
Essential elements:
- blades (there may be two of them);
- handles (wooden or plastic);
- butt, which can be made in the form of a spike, a hammer or a second blade);
- counterweight.
The plastic handle is, of course, a tribute to our time. Previously, the handle was made from a piece of wood and was often wrapped with leather strips or rope to prevent slipping. Its length could vary depending on who was using the weapon. For example, infantrymen could use an ax with a shaft longer than 2 meters (the so-called combat halberd). The boarding gun could exceed even these dimensions and be more than 3 meters long. However, the standard length of this military attribute was on average from 50 to 80 centimeters.
Also, depending on the use, the length of the cutting part may vary, from several to one hundred centimeters.
Multifunctionality
This combat attribute can be intended to perform a variety of functions. It is versatile and can be used for both defense and attack. The ax can be considered the golden mean between a regular sword and an axe.
Many European troops had special units armed with axes. Such fighters were used to protect the flanks from the enemy. An armed soldier in close combat could easily pull a rider off a horse and inflict powerful injuries on him in the lower extremities, since this part of the body was not protected by a shield. This military attribute was also used to damage the legs of horses.
A weapon with a long shaft and a point on the cutting surface could be used as a spear. It could be thrown at an approaching enemy line, which made it possible to keep the enemy at a distance.
In martial arts, where warriors fought one-on-one, this ax had an advantage over other types of bladed weapons, since it was perfectly balanced and often had additional devices on the butt.
Boarding halberds were used in naval clashes and gave a huge advantage in battle.
Interesting! Warriors in Russia armed with this type of battle ax were called spearmen.
Common types of ax
Halberd
The tip of the halberd most often had a tip (up to one meter long) similar to a spear, which gives it some resemblance to the weapon of the same name. The point could have a long or short hook-shaped protrusion.
Halberds vary in shaft size and blade shape. The handle could be 2 - 2.5 meters long, and the mass of this combat attribute could be from 2 to 5.5 kilograms. The cutting part with the tip delivered the most powerful piercing and chopping blows, and the butt easily crushed the strongest materials, including human bone.
Boarding halberds could exceed the length of standard ones by several meters. In addition, they had an enlarged hook (for good grip on the side).
Halberd Brodex or broad-bladed ax
The name comes from the English phrase “broad ax” - a wide axe. A wide trapezoidal cutting surface distinguishes this option, which was popular in the Scandinavian countries and the Baltic.
There were also double-edged (double-sided) brodexes, but their use was quite rare due to their heavy weight and inconvenient design. Therefore, such axes were used only by executioners to carry out the sentence.
Brodex Interesting! At a later time, the rounded blade of this tool found application in agriculture. It is perfect for trimming tree trunks or wooden beams.
Berdysh
In the early to mid-13th century, weapons appeared in Europe, the name of which came from the Polish word “berdysz” - battle axe. The design of the upper part was divided into several elements, which had their own name: the butt - blunt, the drawn end of the blade - braid. The wooden handle (ratovishche) was driven into the butt, and was attached with straps and rivet nails through special holes. A subtok was often attached to the bottom of the shaft - a special iron support that allowed the weapon to be installed on the ground.
The cavalry's guns were smaller and lighter than those of the infantry and had two rings attached to the handle for a belt.
Berdysh Sakravor
An ax that came from ancient Armenia, which, in fact, gave the name to the Armenian universal warriors - sakravors. Their duties included providing for the army, cutting down trees for roads, building bridges and much more. Of course, the ax was not the only weapon these fighters had. But its advantages for use in work and combat are difficult to overestimate.
Guizarma
The Italian copy of the halberd has a narrow and long blade with a curve. At the end of the cutting surface there is a curved branch (spike), and the main part ends in a straight, pointed blade.
The guisarma is considered a European weapon that is designed for a spectacular strike. Most often, the halberd was used to stop a mounted enemy, damaging the tendons of horses or throwing off riders upon impact.
Guizarma Scandinavian ax
A medieval military weapon with a wide, symmetrical blade about 2 millimeters thick, ending in a sleeve (2.5 cm wide). The length and width of the cutting part, which diverged in different directions, were almost the same, from 17 to 18 centimeters. The length of the handle of such a weapon was slightly more than a meter. Ceremonial attributes could have a longer shaft - from 1.5 to 1.7 meters and have silver inlay. The mass of the military weapon varied from 800 grams to one and a half kilograms.
Scandinavian ax Polex
One of the modifications of Scandinavian weapons that spread in Europe. This version of the ax is considered one of the most popular in the infantry. The Polex blade is equipped with a needle-like spike; the same device could be located on the lower part of the handle. The shaft is girded with special splints - strips of iron fastened along its entire length. This mechanism was used to prevent damage to the tree in battle.
The cutting part of such a weapon was prefabricated and consisted of replaceable elements that were attached to pins or special bolts.
Polex Lochaber ax
Another name for this modification, which has a great resemblance to the reed, is Lohaberakst. She received this name from the name of the Lochaber region in Scotland. The cutting part could be smooth or slightly wavy and reach a length of about half a meter. Its upper part was shaped like a crescent with a pointed end. The eye was sometimes equipped with a special hook, which helped to pull riders off their horses.
Lochaber ax Interesting. There is an opinion that the modern halberd originated from Lochaberakst.
Glaive
A weapon for close combat, which consisted of a tip, about 60 centimeters long and 5 to 7 centimeters wide, and a one and a half meter wooden handle. There was a spike-like protrusion on the butt of such a weapon. The glaive could deliver piercing and slashing blows, repel attacks, and also capture the enemy’s weapon and knock it out of their hands.
Glaive Interesting. It is believed that the Glaive is an ordinary agricultural scythe, with a slightly modified blade.
Perun
One of the most mysterious amulets, shaped like an ax. According to ancient Slavic legends, Perun's ax bestows strength, courage and perseverance in battles, and advances towards the intended goal. The weapon was popular among the Scandinavians and Slavs, was considered a symbol of the clan and bestowed the wisdom of the ancestors on the warrior.
Fact. The “Ax of Perun” amulet is still popular today; it can look like a bracelet or a neck decoration.
Conclusion
Nowadays, there are a huge number of different types of weapons, however, at the origins of humanity there were very few of them: sticks and stone axes, some of which were later transformed into axes. These ancient tools, due to their versatility and compact size, have not lost their relevance today.
The most dangerous weapon of the Middle Ages was the steel ax. The word “axe” comes from the ancient Slavic “sokir”, which translates as an axe. Most axes of this type have similar features, but some, such as the reed or halberd, differ significantly from traditional weapons of this type.
Unlike an axe, a forged ax is a typical military weapon. The blade of the ax is semicircular, which makes it inconvenient for household work.
general information
The first examples of weapons that have reached our times were found in excavations in ancient Greek cities. The ancient ax - labrys - was very popular in Greece. This weapon was considered sacred; only rulers and legendary heroes of those times owned it. Labrys is a two-handed ax with two blades. Such weapons were common among the Greeks and Asian peoples, as well as among the ancient Romans.
Slavic axes are not so popular and came to Rus' from the Vikings, for whom they were a common weapon. This weapon became widespread after Russian soldiers clashed with armored German knights. Often Russian axes had a forged spike on the reverse side, with which it was possible to pierce the strongest armor.
After some time, Russian battle axes evolved into berdyshes, which had a completely different balance. With this weapon, which had a very formidable appearance, it was possible not only to chop, but also to stab, like a spear. Skilled ax warriors have always preferred axes, as they are much faster than a classic axe.
As a rule, axes were forged in the following ways:
- High-quality weapons are forged from scratch, taking into account all the wishes of the future owner. Such weapons were quite expensive;
- Simpler weapons were forged from ordinary battle axes. At the same time, the blade was pulled back, giving it the shape of a crescent;
- The lowest-grade weapons were made from ordinary peasant axes. The quality of this weapon was very low, although its appearance could be the same as in the second case.
In any case, the ax was intended only for combat, so cutting down a tree, for example, was problematic.
Characteristics of the ax
Forged axes consist of the following parts:
- Shaft;
- Blades;
- A butt, in the form of which a spike, a hammer or a second blade could often appear;
- A special counterweight on the opposite part of the shaft.
Such specific types of axes, such as halberds or reeds, were up to 2.5 meters long and were used only by infantry. Horse axes often had a spike on the back side, and their length was about 70-80 cm. The longest type of such weapons were boarding halberds, which were up to three meters long.
The blade of most types of such axes did not move far from the shaft, since otherwise balance was lost, which negatively affected the speed of wielding the weapon. Most models of these weapons had a two-handed grip and a long shaft, although in China there were very popular paired axes with a short shaft.
A very interesting type of battle ax is the executioner’s ax. This weapon had features atypical for its class:
- The executioner's forged weapon had a huge weight - from 5 kg, which made it unsuitable for combat use;
- The steel that was used for the executioner's ax was of a higher quality, since the work had to be done with one blow.
In addition, the executioners had to have enormous strength, since some noble criminals were supposed to be executed with a sword, with which it was much more difficult to cut off their heads.
The most famous axes in our time are the two-handed Viking axes. Thanks to films, many people imagine that the Vikings all owned just such weapons. In fact, the most popular weapons of the Scandinavians were spears and one-handed axes weighing about 700 grams. Only the strongest fighters wielded a heavy forged axe. Often these were berserkers who relied only on strength in battle, completely rejecting defense.
Multifunctionality of the ax
The advent of axes, especially such as halberds, significantly changed the course of the war. Since this weapon could act as an ax and a spear at the same time. In a one-on-one fight, subject to equal experience, the warrior with the halberd won. Small detachments with axes of this type were especially effective.
The ax could be used in the following ways:
- It was possible to pull riders off their horses or cut off the legs of animals. Everything depended on the type of battle axes;
- An ax with a tip on top could be used as a spear to keep the enemy out of striking distance;
- Thanks to balance, warriors could easily change battle tactics, turning their improvised spears into axes.
Since axes in different countries could differ significantly in both blade shape and size, we need to consider the most popular models separately.
Features of the halberd
A halberd is a long ax with an elongated blade and a spear point. The length of the tip could reach a meter. In Europe, this weapon spread in the 13th century. It was first demonstrated by Swiss mercenaries, who, like the ancient Vikings, were hired into the troops of the rulers of Europe. The knightly cavalry, having encountered the Swiss in battle, felt the power of two-handed axes.
The classic halberd was about 2.5 meters long and its weight reached 5.5 kg. It was the balance of the weapon that allowed the warriors to wield it throughout the entire battle. Until the 15th century, the shape of halberds changed. There were models that looked almost the same as simple axes. In the 15th century, the shape of the halberd was brought to a single model, which worked best in battle.
There was no armor that a two-handed halberd could not penetrate. Its tip easily entered even the best Milanese armor. The blade inflicted terrible chopped wounds, and with the help of the butt it was possible to stun the enemy. If the butt had a hook, then it could be used to pull riders to the ground.
Scandinavian and Slavic axes
The ancient Vikings became famous precisely for their two-handed battle axes, with which they terrified all of medieval Europe. Unlike one-handed hatchets, which were used in conjunction with a shield, the two-handed ax had a very wide blade. To lighten the weight, the thickness did not exceed 2 mm. Only the strongest Scandinavians, of whom there were many among the Vikings, worked with axes. For the average European warrior, such a weapon was beyond the power.
Having passed from the Vikings to the Slavs, this ax was not widely used, since local warriors did not need heavy weapons in the fight against light steppe cavalry. Although the Scandinavian squads with huge axes were a formidable force, after several skirmishes with the steppes they abandoned their favorite weapon, which was not suitable for such battles.
The parameters of the Scandinavian ax were as follows:
- The weight of the weapon was about a kilogram;
- The blade had a length of 30-40 cm;
- The blade thickness was about 2 mm;
- The shaft was up to two meters.
The Scandinavian or Danish ax required enormous strength, endurance and skill from its owner, since this weapon was very difficult to use for defense. However, its length and speed in skillful hands created a deadly zone around the fighter, into which only spears or arrows could penetrate.
Subsequently, the Scandinavian ax began to evolve, turning into a Swiss halberd in Europe and a berdysh in Rus'. Already in the 15th century, traditional Danish axes were forced out of the battlefield, but in Ireland and Scotland they were widely used until the 17th century.
Russian berdysh and its features
The first berdysh appeared in Rus' at the end of the 16th century, in the so-called “times of troubles”. Researchers still haven’t figured out where the name of this popular weapon came from. Some believe that it comes from the French "bardiche", while others draw a parallel with the Polish word "berdysz". If we take into account the fact that Moscow was at war with Poland at that time, then, most likely, these weapons came from there.
Russian warriors quickly appreciated this ax. Simplicity of design and low price were combined with the incredible power of this weapon. Since the Russian militia was good at using axes, it was very easy for them to master the reeds. This ax has the following design features:
- The blade is long, crescent shaped;
- The shaft or “ratovishche” had a length of about 180 cm;
- The berdysh was put on the ax handle in the same way as a regular axe.
A special feature of the reed was the braid - the edge of the blade drawn downwards, which was nailed to the shaft, after which it was additionally wrapped with a leather strap.
There were attempts to equip mounted archers with reeds, but due to the size of the weapon, this attempt was unsuccessful. Although the weapons of the mounted archers were much shorter, it was extremely difficult for them to operate with one hand. But the foot archers really loved the reeds, which they used not only as a weapon, but also as a specific stand for shooting from arquebuses and muskets.
Although it is believed that all reeds were the same, they had a wide variety of shapes. Researchers identify four main groups, each of which has many subspecies:
- Axe-shaped reeds. This weapon is the closest relative of the Danish two-handed axes. This species was the very first to appear;
- With a long blade shaped like a crescent. The upper edge of the blade was horn-shaped and was used for stabbing;
- This form is similar to the previous one, except that the blade was forged into two points;
- With a pointed blade, the lower part of which was forged into two points.
In addition, in Rus' there were special ceremonial berdysh, which were often decorated with gold and velvet. Such axes were called golden axes.
Features of the Polex ax
One of the most interesting types of battle axes was the polex. It can be classified as both a type of war hammer and an axe. Although outwardly it looks more like a hybrid of three types of weapons:
- Battle axe;
- Spears;
- War hammer.
These weapons became popular in the 15th and 16th centuries and were significantly superior to halberds in both functionality and speed. Infantrymen armed with a polex could cut, stab and crush. The long shaft of the weapon had iron stripes at the top, which served to protect it from being cut.
There were also modifications with rondels (hand protection). But the most important feature of the polex was its special design, which was prefabricated. Thanks to this, any damaged part of the ax could be detached and replaced with a new one. If a damaged halberd had to be completely redone, then the polex had a significant advantage in this regard.
Ancient Slavic ax of Perun
The fact that the Slavs revered the ax is evidenced by the amulet that has come down to us “Perun’s axe.” Since time immemorial, the ax amulet has been worn by warriors of Slavic origin. The ax of Perun is considered a talisman of warriors, which gives them courage and perseverance in battle. Currently, you can purchase this amulet made of both steel and precious metals. Although in modern drawings Perun's ax is depicted as an ancient Greek labrys, it actually has the shape of a traditional battle ax that was popular among Scandinavian and Slavic warriors. For those who are interested in the history of the ancient Slavs, Perun's ax can be a wonderful gift.
Battle axes have accompanied humanity for many centuries. At first, these weapons symbolized strength and power. With the development of metallurgy in the Middle Ages, the ax became an ordinary weapon loved by the Vikings and knights. Even with the advent of firearms, axes, along with pikes, were still used on the battlefield for a long time.
The battle ax took a strong place among the weapons of antiquity, and even in our time it is used. Nordic, Scythian, Russian - warriors from different countries fought on the battlefield with axes that crushed defenses, bringing terror into the hearts of their enemies.
Types of battle axes
| Photo | View | Characteristics |
| One-handed | Ax with short shaft | |
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Two-handed ax | Ax with a long shaft |
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Unilateral | One blade (blade) |
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Double sided | Two blades |
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Combination | On the butt there is a hook, a hammer, a mace and even a firearm |
Story
Ancient battle ax
The ancestor of weapons is considered to be a simple stone ax. Presumably, this type of battle axes appeared during the Late Paleolithic. It was attached to the handle using leather flaps or animal sinews. Also, sometimes a special hole was made into which the handle was inserted and then resin was poured.
Initially, the sharpness of the blade was obtained by striking one stone against another, which was the future blade.
Various stones were used, the main requirement was that their parts should be chipped to give sharp edges.
Stone ax of primitive man The blade was secured to a muff made of twisted wood, bone or deer antler. Some axes, in order to be fastened with flexible rods, had a special transverse groove.
The simplest designs were found on some stone blades. The desire for art and murder has been inherent in people since ancient times.
In most graves from that time, men were buried with stone axes. There are broken skulls - according to scientists, this means death from a blow to the head with a blade.
In the Neolithic, drilled axes appeared with a special hole inside the stone into which the handle was inserted. But the real use of this technology began only in the Bronze Age.
Bronze Age axes
In the Bronze Age, axes were made using drilling - with a special hole inside the blade for attaching the handle. Tubular bone was used for drilling, and sand was used as an abrasive. A stone drill, a bamboo stick or a copper pipe were also used.
Bronze is advantageous because it has hardly been exposed to corrosion - over time, a kind of film forms on it, protecting it from contamination.
Celt was the name of the bronze axe.
Various nationalities had it. Unfortunately, no extensive knowledge about him has been preserved.
Barbarian axes of the era of Ancient Rome
To begin with, it is important to remember that for Ancient Rome, barbarians were everyone who was outside their lands.
Compared to other countries, the ancient Germanic tribes are known for their love of axes, as a rather cheap and effective weapon at that time. Usually they took two small axes in their hands. They crushed shields and pierced armor (before the appearance of armor).
A popular ax of those times was a weapon called the francisca. It had a meter-long handle, since it was used to fight with one or two hands, depending on the situation.
It was also made with a short handle and was used for throwing. They threw the Francis to destroy shields and make a hole in the front ranks of the enemy.
Battle ax of Winnetou - Apache chief The Germans preferred a free formation and, having made a hole in the defense, fought with each warrior one on one - in a close battle the ax was ineffective. For the same Roman troops, with their clear formation and tactics, large shields, this weapon was not suitable.
Viking battle axes
The Vikings who descended on Europe became a disaster, and their favorite weapon was the two-handed Brodex ax, the embodiment of horror and death.
The Vikings valued and loved their weapons so much that they gave them names - during the battle, enemies were cut with axes with the names “Battle Witch”, “Wolf Bite” and a lot of others.
To lighten the weight, the Brodex blade was thin, but it had a distance from the tip of the blade to the butt of up to 30 cm. It was not easy to miss, as well as to dodge. The handle of the two-handed ax reached the warrior’s chin - to match the terrible blade.
Ax "Ragnar" Although deadly, two-handed weapons had the disadvantage of being unable to defend against attacks, especially when fighting multiple opponents.
Therefore, the Vikings valued one-handed axes no less. It is difficult to distinguish them from a simple, working ax. Two differences - a narrower blade and a reduced spine.
Russian battle ax
In Rus', thanks to the route from the Varangians to the Greeks, there were weapons of Scandinavians, nomads, and European models. Here the ax evolved into different types.
Chekan is a Russian battle ax with a small hammer on the butt.
According to the classification of weapons, it is sometimes correlated with a war hammer, but there is no clear decision on this issue among experts on Russian battle axes. It was suitable for crushing enemy armor.
In Russia at different times it was often used not only as a military weapon, but also as an insignia of military leaders.
The berdysh (an analogue of the European halberd) is also known. It has a long handle and a curved blade shape.
Battle ax Berdysh In the paintings of the past you can see Moscow archers with a arquebus and a reed. Allegedly, each of them leaned the arquebus on the reed for a sure shot. In reality, not everyone used it - it depended on personal preferences in close combat. As a wealthy class, the archers could afford a berdysh as a weapon.
The savvy Russian mind, however, wanted to have an ax not only as a weapon, but also as a craft item for use during a campaign.
The ideal was the ax, which does not have a clear name, but in our time is known according to the classification of Kirpichnikov A.N. called "type 4". It has an elongated carved butt, two pairs of lateral cheeks and a blade pulled down.
Such axes were also suitable for domestic needs - cutting branches for a fire or acting as a tool for creating protective structures. They also proved themselves in battle, easily crushing the enemy.
Battle ax and sword: comparison
The sword in the understanding of people is firmly entrenched as a military attribute. In many fairy tales and films, this is what the warrior often fights with.
Mastering a sword required years of hard training.
Therefore, it could be used professionally by people whose craft was war. For the militia: a peasant or artisan who jumped off the land to war, an ax that was cheap to manufacture and easy to attack was preferable.
Of course, this means a one-handed ax - only a real hero could handle a two-handed one well.
There was even a tactic when a dense formation was broken by several powerful warriors with two-handed axes, opening a gap for the allies.
An ax strike required a large swing - otherwise it was unlikely to penetrate the armor. It is easier to deliver quick thrusting blows with a sword.
They did not differ in weight, so it is unlikely that a slash with a sword took less time than inflicting mutilation with an axe.
The sword was convenient for defense, while the ax was suitable for crushing death attacks, but as a defense the warrior had to dodge, rely on armor or cover himself with a shield.
Modern battle axes
In modern times, the military battle ax or tactical tomahawk is used.
The modern battle ax is used by American troops - it is suitable for breaking doors and locks, opening surfaces, and also as an assistant in extreme situations and when performing operations outdoors - in the mountains, forests, etc.
The American military hatchet is an analogue of our sapper shovel.
Of course, if necessary, you can hit them and the terrorist on the head once or twice. But these are extremes. The American military hatchet is an analogue of our sapper shovel in terms of purpose of use.
Ancient axes
Boarding Ax
Designed for cutting in cramped deck conditions. It was no more than a meter long and had a hook on the butt that played the role of a hook - the latter was used to attract an enemy ship before boarding, or vice versa - to push it away.
Ax with firearm
In naval battles, flintlock pistols were sometimes attached to axes. For destroying the first ranks of the enemy or for use in a critical situation, if the fighter was surrounded by several enemies, the weapon was excellent.
Very few copies have survived to this day, so it is impossible to say anything about the frequency of use of such exotic weapons in the navy.
Ancient ax pistol Fortune telling with an ax
A certain magician from Persia, Ostan, came up with the following fortune-telling: an ax was driven into a round block. Sometimes the action was accompanied by conspiracies. The answer to the question was interpreted depending on the vibrations and sounds made by the weapon when striking the block.
With the help of an ax they also searched for the criminal - taking the weapon by the handle, calling names and waiting - when the log (the log on which the logs were cut) began to spin, it means that the culprit was exposed.
Ax as a gift
It was customary for warriors to give weapons, including axes, for their merits. Archaeologists have found many blades coated with silver, gold or damask steel.
Conclusion
Axes are formidable weapons that can crush any enemy. It has firmly taken its place in military history and has taken thousands of lives over many centuries.
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