[Regia-NA] vikeing axe

[Wulfhere se Treowryhta]

Well... that's kind of what I was getting at. A 14" blade even without 
a poll and hollowed is going to weigh to much for combat. Most I've 
seen in print are actually narrow in the cutting edge long through the 
blade with no poll. Larger axes were probably ceremonial, like the 
executioner or honor guards etc. To give an ax users opinion; You want 
to find the lightest axe that can supply the needed force. In combat, 
or person felling, it doesn't take much. a 2lb camp ax with a 4 inch 
blade can seriously ruin anyones day with a moderate swing. For reasons 
of Sicilian temperment I'd rather not detail, I have cut a chainsaw 
motor in half with a basic collins 3lb felling axe. Medieval battles 
were often protracted so you couldn't get tired out in the initial 
charge and be lugging a big lump of iron on a stick everywhere you 
went. So... what I think we're saying is that if your after historical 
accuracy, a 6" bladed medium weight bearded axe is a mighty weapon. If 
you just "want" a 14" axe well, by all means get one.


On Friday, June 6, 2003, at 01:22 PM, Frojel Gotlandica wrote:

> Having seen several hundred of the real ones might I just put in that 
> the largest real one I have seen had a ten inch blade, the average for 
> the bearded axes appears to have been eight to ten inch, allowing for 
> rusting away you could add a couple of inches and get away with it but 
> ten might be a little too much to add. Even the excecutioners axe from 
> the middle ages was only 15 inch in the edge with a 4 foot handle.
> hope that helps a little,
> Cheers
> Sandy
>
> --Original Message Text---
> From: BASENJIS2FOR2@aol.com
> Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2003 12:57:54 EDT
>
> I should have written this befor to im new at this 14 to 18inch is the 
> cuting edge thanks for the infor
> MICAH
>
>
> Sorry I'm getting into this late but what is the 14-18" a measure of?
> The hafted length? The cutting edge? That'd be one mighty combat axe.
> I've got some blades on order from Paul Binns. A great pleasure to deal
> with. My axes are working axes for felling and hewing so there's no
> direct correlation. There's a great book on axes called "The Ax and
> Man" by Paul Heavrin. Good photos of relics and repro's with a lot of
> background. A must read for the Ax enthusiast. Keep us posted as to
> what you come up with. I'm hoping to get some Frankish throwing axes
> some day. Same period.
>
>
> On Thursday, June 5, 2003, at 11:44 AM, BASENJIS2FOR2@aol.com wrote:
>
> > does enbody know of a place to buy good viking axes. I would love to
> > buy a 14 to 18 inch axe. thanks MICAH
>
>