Description
Circa 1600
As a blacksmith who’s forged many a blade and haft, I can tell you this Late Medieval battle axe comes from a time when the battlefield was a brutal place of close quarters struggle. Though gunpowder weapons were beginning to appear, they were slow to reload and often unreliable in the chaos of melee. Warriors still placed their trust in steel and skill. The long wooden shaft gives the fighter reach and leverage, useful for striking enemies both on horseback and on foot. The axehead itself is a small, wedge-shaped piece of steel, designed to focus the force of the blow into a sharp edge capable of splitting through plate armor. Opposite the blade, the elongated spike was meant to pierce helmets and breastplates, a deadly complement to the chopping power of the axe. We’d wrap the shaft with leather to keep a firm grip, even when sweat and blood made hands slippery. This weapon marries the crushing strength of an axe with the piercing threat of a spear, a combination forged for the harsh realities of late medieval warfare.
- Overall length: 28 1⁄2″
- Head dimensions: 2-3⁄8″ by 10″
- Weight: approximately 2 lbs
Fun fact: Late Medieval battle axes often featured spikes or flanges not just to chop, but to catch and tear through the gaps and joints in plate armor, making them a feared weapon against heavily armored knights.
