Obscure types of BATTLE AXE from around the world

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scholagladiatoria

scholagladiatoria

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 376
@scholagladiatoria
@scholagladiatoria Жыл бұрын
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@beepboop204
@beepboop204 Жыл бұрын
my 2023 wish is to be able to somehow spectate you and Doug Marcaida playing with weapons
@HH-hd7nd
@HH-hd7nd Жыл бұрын
In regards to weapons for future videos - what about some older weapons from antiquity - Babylon, Assyria, Sumerians, Persians and the like. I have to say that I know next to nothing about the armor and weapons of these cultures and it would be nice to learn more.
@Ordo1980
@Ordo1980 Жыл бұрын
I would add the Hungarian Fokos. On Wikipedia I've found this family of axes (there are similar ones all around in Eastern Europe) as "Shepherd's axe".
@arnijulian6241
@arnijulian6241 Жыл бұрын
I know all the axes mentioned. If interested in Indian axes look up (parashu axe) associated with Shiva the destroyer or Mahadeva that supposedly gave this parashu to the parashurama the 6th incarnation of vishnu to the creator so it was used as tool. Rama means axe in sanskrit. Other interesting axes include: (Shepherd's axe) -Found mainly in nations from the Carpathian mountains (Doloire)-A middle ages & renaissance crooked broad axe similar to the ''Farmer axes'' mentioned but far more common & wide spread. (Lochaber)- A predominantly Scottish polearm found rarely outside of the British isles that was more common then the overly beloved Scottish claymore. (Alpenstock)- A Swiss axe that was the long strange predecessor of the ice axe & ice pick used as a weapon as well by shepherd's. Their are types of alpenstock made more purposly for warfare but anyone hit with a long axe will suffer.. (Keteriya) odd looking type of battle axe from Sri Lanka that I know little about & likely no 1 does. (Dagger axe)- A type of far east pole arm mainly in China. (Trumbash) A Congolese axe sickle bill hatchet of a sort. My 3 personal favourite from the ancient worlds: (Epsilon axe) -all across Middle east, North Africa eastern & southern Europe often called ''the poor man Khopesh by historians'' for some reason. (Palstave)- Western, south western & northern Europe that I suspect is the predecessor of the socketed axe like the Carolingians-Norse would make. (Sagaris) my favourite used primarily mounted by ancient greeks, Saka and Scythian peoples of the great Eurasian steppe, Middle east & the indo-persian region. This is likely 1 of the most widely used ancient battle axes that no 1 hears of sadly.
@arnijulian6241
@arnijulian6241 Жыл бұрын
​@@HH-hd7nd I'm your man concerning Babylon, Assyria, Sumerians, Persians arms & armour as my fascination is the ancient world over the middles ages or later periods. You would likely enjoy the end of my previous comment in this thread as it cover 3 types of ancient axes. I can explain all the swords, spears, clubs, bows, dagger & more but it will be a very long read if you like?
@horsebattery
@horsebattery Жыл бұрын
I love these ethnographic surveys of little-known weapons. Keep 'em coming!
@IanKing-zz5de
@IanKing-zz5de Жыл бұрын
The Kalinga axe was tested by Skallagrim ("The Most Brutal Melee Weapon I've Tested so far (Igorot Headhunting Axe)" and "The Most Vicious Axe vs. Zombie Head... Yikes!")
@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145
@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145 Жыл бұрын
Yes, it is an incredible design! Sadly in Arms & Armor European & Japanese stuff tends to get the most attention, Chinese A&A may be in 2nd place. And although it's slowly changing Arms & Armor from places like Africa, India, Korea, South East Asia, the Philippines, etc are not as recognized & in some cases looked down on. But some designs in these places are incredibly effective and/or unique. I'm glad the internet has allowed easier access to information on these things. One prime example is the double bow of the Penobscot bow (aka Wabenaki bow) invented about 1900. It consists of a small bow attached by cables on the back of a larger main bow... essentially a compound bow long before cams were implicated in the 1980s. From what I understand they have adjustable draw weight & let off as modern compound bows do yet few have heard of them.
@Sk0lzky
@Sk0lzky Жыл бұрын
@@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145 not even all european stuff, only a certain subsection. When it comes to axes people of the great steppes and surrounding areas (Modern Romania, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, Russia and into caucasus) for example, are particularly fertile when it comes to axes specifically but nobody cares.
@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145
@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145 Жыл бұрын
@@Sk0lzky that is true I was over generalizing. I appreciate you correcting me; thank you.
@michaelshelton5488
@michaelshelton5488 Жыл бұрын
I knew it looked familiar. I thought I had seen it on Forged in Fire, but seeing your comment I remembered that Skallagrim video. It may have been on both.
@Necrodermis
@Necrodermis Жыл бұрын
oh yeah that thing was absolute death. Don't think i've seen him destroy targets like that with any other weapon. Honestly I wish people talked about it a lot more
@Daveed56
@Daveed56 Жыл бұрын
Don't forget the massive Sapper's (Sappeurs) axes of the 19th Century, huge tools wielded by large men, a tool, yes but often used as a weapon.
@davejohnson1760
@davejohnson1760 Жыл бұрын
Berdish
@acethesupervillain348
@acethesupervillain348 Жыл бұрын
American Naval Boarding axes sometimes had a very funky jagged shape to the beard that is worth looking into. Boarding Axes in general are interesting as they're such multi-tools. Bardiches are also well known but under appreciated. Might be interesting to discuss whether Lochaber Axes, from the other side of your island, are a subtype of Bardiche or their own thing. It'd be super interesting if you can find accounts of Bardiches/Lochaber Axes being used in combat, because it's hard to imagine them in the early modern combat ages that they lasted into.
@barnettmcgowan8978
@barnettmcgowan8978 Жыл бұрын
I'd love to see more detail on the Danish/Norwegian Peasant Axe. Nice job with the cultural diversity of axes. I admire the technology of weaponry, and find it fascinating to see how different cultures use their particular resources and techniques to solve common weapon problems.
@norrex1
@norrex1 Жыл бұрын
Had seen some of these before, but only knew something about the Norwegian peasant axe. They are classed in three different types depending on the shape of the axe head. The ones in your video were type A and B (I think). Also interesting is that a type of staff called "bergmannsstav" (mountain man staff) developed from this design.
@brittakriep2938
@brittakriep2938 Жыл бұрын
In Germany an axe called ,Bergbarte' existet, but i don't know, if those had been tools, or ceremonial items.
@aommi27
@aommi27 Жыл бұрын
I'll be honest, they look like they could be used in tilling... so maybe a tool?
@sihilius
@sihilius Жыл бұрын
@@brittakriep2938 I'm think i remember having read that they are purely ceremonial items, at the german museum in that mine they recreated. But i wonder why a miner would carry an axe as a ceremonial item.
@Autonamatonamaton
@Autonamatonamaton Жыл бұрын
@@sihilius axes are very important for historical miners, think about how much woodwork goes into constructing and reinforcing mines before the widespread use of concrete and metal reinforcement
@brittakriep2938
@brittakriep2938 Жыл бұрын
@@sihilius : I don't t know, in my swabian homeregion there is nearly no mining today, so i have never seen traditional miners Things.
@dominikdalek
@dominikdalek Жыл бұрын
You may find Eurasian shepherd's axe (known as "ciupaga" in Poland) an interesting example for a future video.
@zeraus.w.0512
@zeraus.w.0512 Жыл бұрын
The Igorot battle axe is known as the 'pinang'. If a warrior only manages to graze his opponent as he makes a downward or lateral swipe with his pinang, he can very quickly maneuver it in reverse in which the rear projection would come into play. Imagine it hitting the neck or the jaw as reaction time from the opponent will have to be very, very quick indeed in order to counter that. Once it punctures the neck or the ribcage, the main blade only would serve as the coup de grace. It's a weapon designed for ending close combat at the shortest time possible. For the actual taking of heads, the Cordillerans use a different blade, the pinahig.
@richard6133
@richard6133 Жыл бұрын
Geometrically, the Nordic peasant's axe looks like the upper point of the bit is in alignment with the handle. I think that would make it more optimized for sharp force impact thrusts, more for stopping power than for depth of penetration. The angle does look awkward for chopping into someone, but I would love to see both of those hypotheses tested.
@eyeteethsightbytes153
@eyeteethsightbytes153 Жыл бұрын
I was just thinking much the same, the alignment of the handle and toe (tip of the bit) is surely a purposeful design decision. Many of these examples look to be repurposed axe heads hung on alternative handles rather than forged with this in mind - perhaps this is alluded to in the name 'peasants axe'. Certainly an interesting design.
@aronnemcsik
@aronnemcsik Жыл бұрын
I thought It would be more of a tool/weapon. as a tool it could've been used as a walking stick with the head providing the sort of holding point where your hand could be or a simple chopping axe(depending on blade thickness) for smaller trees and such. obviously there could be a weapon element
@richard6133
@richard6133 Жыл бұрын
@@eyeteethsightbytes153 I bet you're right on how it came about. 👍
@richard6133
@richard6133 Жыл бұрын
@@aronnemcsik I'd like to see those ideas tested, too.
@aronnemcsik
@aronnemcsik Жыл бұрын
@@richard6133 I'd love to see them tested as well. the whole Idea came from the Eastern europian shepperd axes since they were used by shepperds who were dealing with bandits sometiems and wild/agressive animals
@Asher0208
@Asher0208 Жыл бұрын
Hi Matt,I went to Fiji last year and I was quite surprised at the variety of axes and other fighting implements that were found there. I have never seen anyone go through, defies the implements of the Oceana region and it could be a topic for you to do.
@genidian845
@genidian845 Жыл бұрын
I was also going to mention Polynesian weapons. Any thoughts on a video on the Māori Taiaha?
@123elnat
@123elnat Жыл бұрын
I was at least vaguely familiar with every one except that Sarawak axe, which I think was completely new to me. A couple thoughts: 1) The Illerup Adal weapons deposit in Denmark turned up a number of axes with bent handles very similar to those Norwegian examples, except in the opposite direction, so that the blade hooks back towards the user. Also among the finds are several examples of chisel-like axe blades (no handles) with the socket inline with the handle, an iron-age survival of the old Bronze Age design, that were evidently mounted on a crooked haft much like those Sarawak axes. Because of the way that trees grow, I suspect that both kinds of axes ended up with the heads angled back towards the user, obviously intentionally in some cases, which leads me to think that that the way they were used took advantage of that backwards hook in someway. Incidentally, these Baltic area axes from the 3rd century (I think - the majority, but not all, the artifacts date to around AD 250) don't look much like later viking axes - quite different design. 2) I was just looking up the Igorots and reading what I could of an early 20th century ethnographic account of them yesterday! Judging from the pictures, there are actually a number of variants of that axe design, and shorter handles and/or much less concavity in the cutting edge are also possible - some have more or less straight edges titling back ~20 degrees or so towards the user. 3)Regarding South African axes, I have to mention Umslopogaas' axe Inkosi-kaas ("Chieftainess" - she must be a woman because she pries into so many things, and a wise one for have been inside the heads of so many men), from the works of H. Rider Haggard. Haggard's Alan Quatermain novels are kind of a forerunner to modern fantasy literature in many ways, set in Africa contemporary to Haggard's own time, but featuring a lot of fantasy or downright supernatural elements, so Inkosikaas can be considered one of the first named weapons in fantasy literature of the (relatively) modern period...She is described as having a repurposed European head rather than a Zulu-made one, but the handle is made from horn and features that wire binding. Umslopogaas shows up in the books Alan Quatermain, Nada the Lily, and She for those interested.
@kiwiprouddavids724
@kiwiprouddavids724 Жыл бұрын
Was thinking the first axe's crocked handle was for hooking or pushing away weapons or shields
@MaidenFan666
@MaidenFan666 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for making this video. I love axes they're my favorite weapon but I've never seen any of these and I always love learning about new things I've never seen before I'd love to see you talk about an epsilon axe and why they went obsolete but I understand that period and region is way outside your primary specialty Thank you for all your wonderful content
@bluelionsage99
@bluelionsage99 Жыл бұрын
Perhaps the bend in the farmer's axe haft was to center more of the axe head weight over the wooden haft. While this would decrease striking power it might have made easier to use for farmers with little combat training.
@lobstereleven4610
@lobstereleven4610 Жыл бұрын
Fantastic video showing some really interesting axes! Thanks!👍
@GeoGyf
@GeoGyf Жыл бұрын
With a little internet search, i found more information on the Norwegian Peasant/Farmer axes. The bent axe-head is for making slicing draw cuts and it helps with edge alignment both during the swing (centre of mass is shifted to haft) and during the cut (edge closer to haft). Used two-handed these also doubled as walking sticks and a status symbol when on ceremonies/holidays. There was a law by the king for farmers to have a weapon for military use. Many had the option to buy a decent axe from the government for a cheap price, but many had these crafted. Make no mistake, while this was predominantly militia weapon, it is a weapon of war first and a status symbol second.
@Floreal78
@Floreal78 Жыл бұрын
YES! Finally the norwegian farmers axe (Bondeøks) on Scholagladiatoria!!!!!!
@h0rk3d
@h0rk3d Жыл бұрын
Det hedder en øksE
@mtgAzim
@mtgAzim Жыл бұрын
Hey Matt! Japanese axes don't seem to get enough love. Everything else gets overshadowed by their swords. Even if fighting axes were more rare, you could still show us some of their tool axes. That would be super Neat'O. Also, I know video games are rarely good sources for historical accuracy, but in the earlier Mount & Blade games we see predominantly longswords, arming swords and the like. But then there's also these larger two handed sabres, usually from the more Swedish sounding areas. We usually think of sabers coming about later on in the age of musketry, so I would assume that those large Swedish sabres are earlier appearances of those types of sword. Of course curved blades of various sorts are found all throughout time and place, so perhaps it wasn't really a new concept or anything. Though the ones I'm referring to are shown to often have a knuckle bow, or a slightly swept cross guard, which was certainly ahead of it's time. At least when comparing to the other swords in common usage at the time, having mostly straight cross guards. But it would still be cool to have a look at those large "proto-sabres", if you will.
@jackhelm9852
@jackhelm9852 Жыл бұрын
Actually, the last one was the only one I think I had seen before though I did not know the details of it. Very interesting video. Would love to see more of these rare weapon types and more of these particular axes explored. Always find your take and research on them fascinating. Thank you.
@jurtheorc8117
@jurtheorc8117 Жыл бұрын
dang, i was decently known with most of these weapons, but the Saruwak (i hope i spelled that right) at the end was completely new to me. Very interesting find! I'd love to look up more of that axe from India, but i don't know how to spell its name :P I really love me some good axes in media, and even more so with proper and interesting techniques and choreography. We need more of that. I personally like to create stories, and one of my most prominent characters wields a long axe, where I try my best to envision neat but not over-the-top brutish fighting techniques, such as quarterstaff ones, pommel smashes and hooking. For any future axes, i'd love to hear more/see more spotlight on the Tabar, Ono and/or Masakari, Ge (dagger axe), Labrys, Lochaber Axe, Egyptian axe mace, shepherd's axe, Sagaris and Nzappa Zap. There's also some sort of Chinese ritual axes with big and heavy heads depicting faces on them, but I don't know the names of them. Luristan Bronze axe heads would be interesting as well, if possible.
@torianholt2752
@torianholt2752 Жыл бұрын
Sarawak, it's a state of Malaysia located in northern Borneo, next to Brunei.
@jurtheorc8117
@jurtheorc8117 Жыл бұрын
@@torianholt2752 Thank you for the correction and info!
@Missile_Crab
@Missile_Crab Жыл бұрын
I've been trying to find more information about the sarawakian biliong but nothing substantial seems to be turning up
@murphylhunn
@murphylhunn Жыл бұрын
5:20 if you ask me, it puts the point of the axe in line with the handle for a more effective thrust
@scottanastasi2527
@scottanastasi2527 7 ай бұрын
This is a lovely, useful video. Straight to the point, excellent image reference, clear explanation of region and fighting style. This is exactly what I was looking for today. Thank you.
@pizdamatii5001
@pizdamatii5001 Жыл бұрын
great video. i'd like you to maybe look at the 'shepherd's axe' used in the territories around the carpathian mountains in the future. cheers!
@adrianjagmag
@adrianjagmag Жыл бұрын
Bullova are meant for use against unarmoured or lightly armoured opponents and share a lot of parallels in use and training with lathi use (obviously edge alignment would be important with the bullova), furthermore the way they were used to slice explains why they many times had a spike as you flowed into the thrust from slices and vice versa. Easier to demonstrate than explain in writing tbh. The way they were swung defensively to keep multiple attackers at bay is also very lathi like. Defense also was done two ways, against swords usually between the spike and the head, against other polearms you would try and trap the opponents haft with you haft, lock it with your head and twist...the long edge prevented the opponent from grabbing you haft/shaft easily. Shorter examples were sometimes used with shields but most of what I've learnt was two handed use with the longer shafts. It was originally a tribal weapon.
@puma0085
@puma0085 Жыл бұрын
That's very informative video. I am more interested into swords to be honest but axes are also really cool looking and also fascinating weapons. If possible could you talk a bit more about the bronze axes used in the bronze age around the world?
@daveburklund2295
@daveburklund2295 Жыл бұрын
Hoping to see a fokos, but not at disappointed in your choices. Very interesting.
@kounurasaka5590
@kounurasaka5590 Жыл бұрын
My favorite axe is the francisca. Not sure why, I just really like the idea of it. I'm also partial to the tabar. One video I'd be interested in Matt are the various weapon combinations available with a shield. Why would our infantry or even skilled warrior (landed gentry) choose a spear/sword/axe/mace combination with a shield and what benefits and drawbacks do each of those give?
@picolete
@picolete Жыл бұрын
I have the idea that the curved axe show at the beginning was made that way to be carried on the belt with the axe head on your side and the shaft pointing in an angle backwards(or forward), that way you can have a longer shaft and don't interfere with your walking/riding. Also it can be used as a more confortable walking stick
@seanmiz6539
@seanmiz6539 Жыл бұрын
Irish Gallowglass axe is cool. Fokos/shepherds axe is a fun one. Long shaft acting as a walking stick with a fairly small faced axe with a longish head acting as a grip. Commonly carried by cavalry as well because of reach and weight
@TimberWolf762
@TimberWolf762 Жыл бұрын
The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford shows some stone/flint axe heads beside bronze axe heads with exactly the same shape. We found an efficient shape and duplicated it when we changed manufacturing methods. But this and the Pitt Rivers Museum have great examples of some of these unusual axes.
@bengtkrezdorn409
@bengtkrezdorn409 Жыл бұрын
The Bondeøks - two thoughts: 1. it reminds me of a walking stick, especially since a lot of them seem to have a shoe with a small spike at the end. 2. some of the specimes are so absurdly angled that I wonder if their primary use was as a tool in timberworking (peeling off bark or cutting branches off a felled tree) or even peat cutting. Regarding your question which axes we are familiar with: I have seen all the shapes before and knew the names of the indian axes, but I have never seen or heard of the bondeøks before.
@CitizenSmith50
@CitizenSmith50 Жыл бұрын
As a child I was fascinated by our local museum in Adelaide. The South Australian Museum Humanities Collection is excellent and encompasses ethnographic items from the Pacific, Asia, Africa and the Americas. The Papua New Guinea and Pacific cultures collections are particularly strong. I think I have seen examples of nearly all of these there ! (except the Scandinavian one) You missed the wooden (hardwood) axes of New Guinea. Also, the N.Z. Maori "Mere" is a weapon similar to a "Patu" but usually made of "Greenstone" ie jade, and flatter and longer, While this is often described as a "Club", I would say it is more of a club/sword/axe, as some Maori warriors were said to be able to take off an opponent's head with one blow !
@tamlandipper29
@tamlandipper29 Жыл бұрын
Very good point. For those not able to nip over to Australia, the Pitt Rivers collection in Oxford has several examples of these type of weapons. if you go, please drop a mention to the staff that weapons aren't a guilty secret. They should be on more prominent display.
@feperry90
@feperry90 Жыл бұрын
On the curious curve of the Norwegian farmer's ax, I note that it lines the upper point of the ax head directly with the end of.the shaft. At a guess, I would say it was designed to allow thrusts as well as chops while still keeping the shape of the traditional head.
@johncullen9436
@johncullen9436 Жыл бұрын
Yes, I was noticing the same. Although not in all the examples I could find. It looks like you could do a decent thrusting (push) cut with all of them them though if you were using both hands. I suspect it would be a bit too heavy up front to do it with any accuracy with just one hand. And a decent enough thrust with the ones where the point was lined up with the shaft. Yeah, I'm thinking that the ability to thrust in addition to chopping might have been the intention of the design. Interesting weapon.I should get one.
@jlan7844
@jlan7844 Жыл бұрын
I'm probably not the only one to point this out, but Skallagrim has actually done testing with a replica of that Igorot axe. It was every bit as scary taking apart ballistic gel targets as it looks like it would be, and the skull analog he used didn't stand a chance at all against that thing.
@pallien7501
@pallien7501 Жыл бұрын
Although the Norwegian axes are known as farmers axes, the farmers were the biggest group of landowners in Norway and big farms was almost like nobility. The arms requirement varied according to the size of your farm, and poor, small farms could get away with just getting a pike.
@zzxxccvvkk5
@zzxxccvvkk5 Жыл бұрын
the 1st axes reminded me of the kukrax you reviewed at the end of May 2020. the last axes remined me of the ADZE ship building tool.
@Trav_Can
@Trav_Can Жыл бұрын
15:38 The dominant hand clearly goes above the "lug" on the Igorot axe. It works in the same the hook on the hilt of a Dayak mandau works. To keep your wet hands from slipping back and off while you swing. Yes, a hand-stop, but from the hand slipping backwards, not forwards. And it is definitely not a hand guard in any way.
@cyprians8464
@cyprians8464 Жыл бұрын
Wouldn't the Norwegian axe be useful as a stand/tripod for early type of firearm? Infantry from the eastern europe used axes as stands for firearms so maybe that was the purpose. Sidearm for melee/peacekeeping on the person and issued matchlock, musket whatever for pitch/siege battle if needed
@YahBoiCyril
@YahBoiCyril Жыл бұрын
I think the orientation of the head on the farmer’s axe is so that the farthest forward point of the axe is not even with shaft, so that the result of winging a bit short is a tip cut rather than a partial chop with the shaft hanging up on the target.
@ShuajoX
@ShuajoX Жыл бұрын
The Japanese ono/masakari is vastly overshadowed by swords and pole-arms when discussing Japanese historical weapons. Edit: I edited my comment to add in the term masakari, unknowingly removing Matt's heart. Whoops.
@jurtheorc8117
@jurtheorc8117 Жыл бұрын
We need more axe-wielding samurai.
@mattdowds8505
@mattdowds8505 Жыл бұрын
5:20 the angle of the head puts the point in line with the shaft, which would make a thrust more effective. Just an observation.
@gordonkinniburgh8594
@gordonkinniburgh8594 Жыл бұрын
I saw a type of mounted axe in a cavalry book years ago and cannot find anything about it nowadays, used by the Croats S/E Europe spear shaped head part metal shaft spike or war hammer in the other side. Very informative and interesting looks at weapons that we may never see otherwise. Keep it up
@Alcanox
@Alcanox Жыл бұрын
Due to RPGs, I think I've seen illustrations of all of them, but that's not the same as actual information like where they come from. The two surprises for me were the Norwegian farmer's axe ( I had no idea something that odd-looking had such a long run ) and the Igarot/Kalinga axe where I might have seen it in a picture, but had no idea who made it or how it was put together.
@momaniz
@momaniz Жыл бұрын
Hello im new to this channel and i love your content. I wanna ask you, In terms of fighting style and weapon choice, What is your favorite historical fighter figure and why? Also, can we expect matt to speak about major historical battles and the weapons used in it.
@rayanderson5797
@rayanderson5797 Жыл бұрын
14:06 I noticed someone wielding a weapon like this in Horizon: Forbidden West while my wife was playing it. I thought that it kinda made sense, because it has a good shape for going up against the armored machines. It has a good shape for getting in-between armored plates, and it has that pick-like chisel point on the back.
@Lionslycer
@Lionslycer Жыл бұрын
Hey, Matt. Great video. I was wondering if you could maybe talk in a video about the term “claymore”. It is used all of the time in video games and fiction as a name for something like a longsword or sometimes a great sword. It seems like it is used as a catch all term. Is there a more specific type of sword that is actually a claymore?
@scipio7837
@scipio7837 Жыл бұрын
maybe look at something like the Hungarian Fokos or Polish Ciupaga, Czech Valaška, forgot Romanian axe name sorry.
@andrewblack7852
@andrewblack7852 Жыл бұрын
As for the peasant axe, I may relate the shape of some Polynesian canoe paddles are shaped like them. The point is at the segment of the arc in use, the head is aligned with the object to be struck or moved at the point of contact . It’s actually a small segment of the arc that does all the work
@christopherericksson5003
@christopherericksson5003 Жыл бұрын
Hi Matt, i'm a nifemaker from sult Brasil, thanks for sharing your knologe about blades, a good ad to this topic could bee the francisca axe, and how they are efective in throwing axe.
@branbeggrify
@branbeggrify Жыл бұрын
good old Matt, always axing the right questions!
@roberttauzer7042
@roberttauzer7042 Жыл бұрын
About Nordic curved axes, I will give you an 99% accurate explanation of why they were tilted upwards like this - it's to emulate the crucial advantage of a slashing type sword, the ability to hit, damage or destroy an opponent AND KEEP YOUR WEAPON UNENTANGLED AND READY TO RE-DEPLOY. If your axe head is getting stuck into shields, armors, or rib cages, you are effectively disarmed, often when most vulnerable. It's a crucial disadvantage that will get you killed. But if you hit, hurt and are ready to strike again, that's huge. that's why they were curved. To be closer to swords in usage.
@markfergerson2145
@markfergerson2145 Жыл бұрын
Also, most of those shown can be used to stab (or at least poke firmly).
@overlorddante
@overlorddante Жыл бұрын
I was speculating that it was wielded more like a halberd; thrusting chops that keep the point towards your enemy rather than typical chops.
@ME_YA4P
@ME_YA4P Жыл бұрын
Fighting axes are basically swords, so the same design mechanics apply.
@willek1335
@willek1335 Жыл бұрын
How would the tilt work as a farmer's tool?
@ravenrise320
@ravenrise320 Жыл бұрын
Why not then just change the shape of the axe head to something more acutely pointed and double-edged? This would have allowed the head to better cut its way out of a target....instead of the heads edge going deep enough into the target to get stuck on its, apparently, unsharpened, hook shaped, top and bottom inner edges. Until seeing how these axes might have been used in combat? Im of the opinion that the curved handle is a cultural or fashion kind of thing, more so than something that serves just a totally practical purpose in combat. Kinda of like the many rapiers and associated swords that DID have combative purpose, but could be elegant, highly elaborate works of art at the same time.
@raymundbalce4550
@raymundbalce4550 7 ай бұрын
11:54 looks like a lantip panabas, a larger type of panabas in the visayas, and the tabas from luzon
@andrewholdaway813
@andrewholdaway813 Жыл бұрын
With the Norwegian axe maybe the angled head originates from its civilian use; it would allow a downward chop to items which were laid low to the ground (chopping logs?)
@ZagorTeNayebo
@ZagorTeNayebo Жыл бұрын
Doubtful but possible, I haven't found such an axe in any woodworking books I've read and I don't see the benefit for woodwork but I suppose I have a massive blindspot
@LordoftheAces
@LordoftheAces Жыл бұрын
there's also the shepherd's axe, also known as fokos, ciupaga, or valaška, small head, thin blade, oftentimes beautifully decorated, predominantly used by Carpathian shepherds as a tool, walking stick, and a weapon to defend against wolves, there are some depictions of them being used by brigands (Juraj Jánošík), as far as I have found, Hungary has some organisations that view and use them as weapons, most elsewhere it became more of a cultural symbol and a prop for certain kinds of dances etc.
@khust2993
@khust2993 Жыл бұрын
Always loved your videos about lesser known blade cultures. Very interesting
@Tareltonlives
@Tareltonlives 4 ай бұрын
I'm particularly fond of the Nzappa zap of the Songye and the Indian tabar-zaghnal, but ultimately my favorite axe design is the good old Scythian Sagaris. The Swallowtail isizenze of Eswatini Kingdom and the Sinawit of the Kalingas remain iconic, not only as symbols of power and authority but also as impressive weapons
@TheKrampus83
@TheKrampus83 Жыл бұрын
Another point to consider about tanged axes that can also be used as tools: some blades are set into the handle such that they can be taken out and set perpendicular to quickly create an adze. These films of Mossi woodcarvers show this for example kzbin.info/www/bejne/narRaH59hd2hg5Y
@GallowglassAxe
@GallowglassAxe Жыл бұрын
Once axe I would recommend is the Cambodian Mak. It is like a cross between the Nagaland axe with the Malaysian. Though some call it a sword but it looks more axe like to me.
@olelarsen7688
@olelarsen7688 5 ай бұрын
I think the norweigan bonde økse, also called church ax, you took it along when you travelled the long way to church in Norway. Had that shape to be effective against an enemy standing right square in front of you.
@ac1dflare937
@ac1dflare937 Жыл бұрын
Best description of weapons in combat from a book springs to mind, Knives worry people, swords scare people, but Axes terrify!
@kermitthorson9719
@kermitthorson9719 Жыл бұрын
my hypothesis on the bent head axe is not necessarily to make it slicey, but make it a glancing blow instead of imbedding the bit into a torso and getting stuck
@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145
@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145 Жыл бұрын
I believe it's in Sir Gwain & the Green Knight where an axe is described as a "bow-bent axe". Obviously this reference far predates those Scandinavian 17th century axes but I'm wondering if the design serves the same function. From what I understand bow-bent axes had curves throughout their hafts. However b-b & the 17th c axes may function similarly.
@bartolomeorizzo
@bartolomeorizzo Жыл бұрын
So good, i was waiting for this video for so long, finally the Ikakalaka (or kalinga?) Now just needs something on zaghnals (i was actually hoping to see them here tho, buti guess they are closer to a warpick than an axe)
@jurtheorc8117
@jurtheorc8117 Жыл бұрын
Ikakalaka is the name for a type of African sword with a tip that fans out instead of forming a spike. It's very different from the Kalinga axe. Would love to see coverage on zaghnals as well!
@bartolomeorizzo
@bartolomeorizzo Жыл бұрын
@@jurtheorc8117 yeah, sorry i got the ikakalaka confused with igorot
@jurtheorc8117
@jurtheorc8117 Жыл бұрын
@@bartolomeorizzo no worries!
@TrollDragomir
@TrollDragomir Жыл бұрын
As for the norwegian farmer axe, having fought in viking age reenactments with a dane axe hacking from the second line over the shieldwall, my theory was always that the shape would really lend itself to far reaching descending cuts done from a distance. With this shape you could do a cut that is thrown forward, something inbetween a cut and a thrust, and get someone in the face essentially circumventing the defense helmets of this period (usually with some kind of extended brow rim) provided. I don't really have much proof to back this though (maybe wounds on battlefield remains of that place and period could shed more light on it).
@Lorgoth117
@Lorgoth117 Жыл бұрын
Adds end at 3:53
@andreweden9405
@andreweden9405 Жыл бұрын
I happen to own a very nice replica of a Late Medieval Hungarian battle axe (original circa 1500). It has a particularly vicious appearance, and it's one of those weapons that you would expect a culture to come up with if they were having to fight off occupation by the Ottomans! Btw, it's a bit of a shame that you didn't feature the infamous Russian bardiche! The aforementioned Hungarian axe definitely shows the influence of the bardiche, as well as Muslim battle axes such as the tabar.
@adambielen8996
@adambielen8996 Жыл бұрын
I wouldn't call the Bardiche obscure.
@andreweden9405
@andreweden9405 Жыл бұрын
@@adambielen8996 , Perhaps you're right!
@gerardlewis2599
@gerardlewis2599 Жыл бұрын
curved handle seems good for making the beard of the axe dig in with a chop but also better jabs with the horn
@Markus_Berglund
@Markus_Berglund Жыл бұрын
I Am a Simple Man, i see axes, i click Like! 👍
@johnbaker1256
@johnbaker1256 Жыл бұрын
Some of the Xhosa (Sotho?) axes had a curved shaft, so that the end of the blade was in line with the grip. So you can use it like a thrusting sword.
@tamlandipper29
@tamlandipper29 Жыл бұрын
I did not know that. Any museums with examples in the UK?
@johnbaker1256
@johnbaker1256 Жыл бұрын
@@tamlandipper29 try the Pitt-Rivers museum in Oxford
@Anti_Woke
@Anti_Woke Жыл бұрын
Happy New Year Matt.
@scholagladiatoria
@scholagladiatoria Жыл бұрын
Same to you!
@willek1335
@willek1335 Жыл бұрын
@scholaegladiatoria there's a guy who replied to a Richard with various sources on the Norwegian axe. It's quite interesting information.
@LESAFFREL
@LESAFFREL 27 күн бұрын
Have you made any studies about Francisca? The Franker's axe.
@thejellyfishmeister4081
@thejellyfishmeister4081 Жыл бұрын
Hi there, I'm Malaysian and the "biliong" axe is more better known as "beliung" here.
@hemlock5396
@hemlock5396 Жыл бұрын
So i have seen patern welded or damascus type steel being used in swords and seen a harder edge put on an axe. Have you seen any historical damascus axe heads?
@GeoGyf
@GeoGyf Жыл бұрын
The Eastern Romans used axes as well. At various times they were one of the most 'balanced' armies in the world because they fought many varied countries/tribes both in the West and the East. Few empires did that. For example they used both curved swords (the Paramerion) and a straight-double edged sword (The Spathion). So it comes as a little surprise they used axes (The Tzikourion, from the latin Securis). Source: Leo's Tactica. 3 axe heads were mostly used: 1) the normal crescent-shaped, 2) Double Crescent-Shaped, 3) Crescent-Shaped with a point at the opposite end. This 3rd form is more recommended because of the ability to have more armor-penetration.
@hrodvitnir6725
@hrodvitnir6725 Жыл бұрын
Since you asked for suggestions I'd really enjoy more videos about central asian and Turkic weapons and sword use. Also Mughal/Indian would be interesting, I know you've done some in the past but India has so much!
@milesmcinerney5594
@milesmcinerney5594 Жыл бұрын
I made a sparring Nordic peasants axe a few year back for sparring with my HEMA group after I found out about them on a trip. From my experience I found that the head seemed to line up well with my target when I swung it and I didn't need to adjust my technique like I thought I might have to. I don't really know but my guess would be that the axe head might pass through the target without the shaft hitting the target based on the angles when I hit people but that's purely a guess. If you wanted to make one yourself I used an old hockey stick and a rubber dane axe head, it's a very rough replica but with my limited resources it was the best I could do.
@Mortablunt
@Mortablunt Жыл бұрын
So it sounds like the curvature is a modification to make it more elegant for fighting.
@milesmcinerney5594
@milesmcinerney5594 Жыл бұрын
@@Mortablunt i guess and its purely a guess, it might help reduce the chance of it getting stuck? But i think it would be less robust and have less impact. All that's speculation based on a poor replica though.
@riverbluevert7814
@riverbluevert7814 Жыл бұрын
Excellent video. Very interesting.
@shotgunridersweden
@shotgunridersweden Жыл бұрын
Norwegian Bondeöks or peasant axe s tend to have langets in the front, along the curve of the handle. This, atleast speaks of where the expected to meet opposing attacks from swords and the like and might provide insight into their use. I have several pictures of this if your intrested. Also worth notibg is that they are almost exclusively so large that they would probably be held 2 handed
@robtbarton9
@robtbarton9 9 ай бұрын
Eastern European Shepard's Axe. Not battlefield weapons but a fantastic defensive tool for protecting oneself and property while still giving good general utility when out in the mountains. I teach its use and keep one handy. My daughter in law likes to have it around because of all of my arms, she trusts herself to weild that effectively should the need arise.
@jeremiahr7585
@jeremiahr7585 Жыл бұрын
I’m very familiar with the Igorot axe. The African axes, I recognized from books. The ones from India were unfamiliar. I think you should have included the dagger-axe of the Bronze Age during the warring states period of ancient China. I also would have included the Shepherd walking stick axe of Eurasia. Thanks for all you do!
@limb-o7180
@limb-o7180 Жыл бұрын
I'm glad you're shining light on some of these obscure weapons from underappreciated cultures, they deserve to be recognized as well!
@Kim-the-Dane-1952
@Kim-the-Dane-1952 Жыл бұрын
05:00 For some strange reason Danish King Christian IV is crazy popular still in Denmark despite that fact that he pretty much singlehandedly bankrupted the country and lost an immense amount of territory.
@EmilReiko
@EmilReiko Жыл бұрын
Yeah i do not get it, he is one of the most incompetent kings the realm has had… But i think its because of all the architechture, copenhagen ppl seems obsessed with that… Valdemar Atterdag ought to be the king in the spotlight
@marcusencel3528
@marcusencel3528 Жыл бұрын
I would like to see a detailed show on the more obscure Japanese weapons such as the O’No (giant axe) metal bows, wooden hammers and clubs, giant shuriken (cruciform) aikuchi, Nagemaki thank you ps I particularly liked your episode on Tachi and O Tachi/Dachi. Incidentally, apart from the eras they were made in, I was taught in Japan, that the tachi was primarily a cavalry sword so the blade was carried downwards to affect a ground to Sky to draw to clear away infantry, whereas the katana was primarily an infantry sword, or at least for infantry use and guard duty and was primarily used for the Sky to ground draw for quick implementation as infantry or guards or use from Seiza/hanmi hantachi ( kneeling or kneeling and standing) as would occur in the palace as in Iai jutsu Can you clarify Regards
@seanpoore2428
@seanpoore2428 Жыл бұрын
I agree! More movie/video game axes please!!
@lyndonmarquis414
@lyndonmarquis414 Жыл бұрын
Great video, Matt. Knew some of these but many were new to me. Would love to see something on the bhuj - is it a knife is it an axe - from Gujarat.
@mjb7015
@mjb7015 Жыл бұрын
I think it would be brilliant if you did a spotlight video on the weapons of the Australian Indigenous people. Most everyone knows about boomerangs and spears, but the Australian Aboriginal people designed a wide variety of fighting clubs, unique parrying shields, and even different shapes and designs of boomerang for different purposes. They tend to be overlooked in discussions of historical weaponry. The same for the Pacific Island peoples, like the huge variety of intricately decorated and uniquely shaped wooden clubs and axes made in Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, and so on, as well as the New Zealand Maori weapons.
@TalesForWhales
@TalesForWhales Жыл бұрын
Request for shepherd defensive equipment if any in the medieval era. Seems they would encounter many hardships in the wilderness. Just a stick and a dog? Or was there more?
@tandemcharge5114
@tandemcharge5114 Жыл бұрын
The stick is also your handy dandy staff sling
@HunterGargoyle
@HunterGargoyle Жыл бұрын
They had an axe of sorts at times, looked kinda like a cane actually
@TalesForWhales
@TalesForWhales Жыл бұрын
Boys, boys, you are spoiling his next video and possibly rock band name: Shepherds of Metal
@Dial-nx7kr
@Dial-nx7kr 4 ай бұрын
here's the timestamps of the weapons: 4:17 norwegian peasant/farmer axe 6:26 Sotho axe 8:02 Bulova axe 11:25 Dao axe 13:22 Kalinga/Igorot axe 16:09 Biliong axe
@dougsinthailand7176
@dougsinthailand7176 Жыл бұрын
Stone’s Glossary is an excellent reference for these weird weapons. Hunga-Munga! You left that one out.
@UnreasonableOpinions
@UnreasonableOpinions Жыл бұрын
I would like a follow-up on the peasant axe. It’s such an odd shape that there must be a reason for it.
@itskarl7575
@itskarl7575 Жыл бұрын
What I would really like is for someone to do a bit of test cutting with the Norwegian peasant axe. Besides _maybe_ being better in a thrust, I cannot see what benefits there could possibly be to that design. It seems to be an evolutionary dead end. It is reminiscent, in a way, to an early Japanese tachi, the kenuki-gata tachi. Many of these (not all) had a straight or nearly straight blade but a slightly curved grip - but the blade was offset at an angle to the tang, giving the illusion of a deep curve. The same principle can be seen in its ancestor, the warabite-to. I know the kenuki-gata tachi is still occasionally made, as either ceremonial swords or a journeyman's piece, but I have not been able to find any practical reviews of one. Much less the Norwegian peasant axe.
@sakomanlee
@sakomanlee Жыл бұрын
maybe the weird curve on the Norwegian ax is to cut while thrusting? Instead of stabbing directly through a vital area, which you could 100% also do with this type of blade, you could rip open the side of your opponent extremely effectively. Most people probably wouldn't be expecting someone with an ax to, for lack of a better word, try to push-slice them like that.
@gerryjamesedwards1227
@gerryjamesedwards1227 Жыл бұрын
I think my only brush with the name Sarrowac is from reading articles in the Naval Chronicle about run-ins with pirates from there. Would that fit?
@mnk9073
@mnk9073 Жыл бұрын
Looking at the picture of the Danish/Norwegian Peasant Axe it seems as if the "weird" bend puts the top point of the axe blade in line with the handle so maybe the idea was to make it more stabby?
@chaosspork
@chaosspork Жыл бұрын
Honestly, it's Fire Emblem that taught me to appreciate the battle axe. Hector, Camilla, Edelgard. All my favorite characters weild axes
@Lucius1958
@Lucius1958 Жыл бұрын
Having some acquaintance with Sarawak (my brother lives there), I have not heard any reference to the biliong as a weapon, but as a tool. The head could be rotated, to serve either as an axe, or an adze, as circumstances dictated. I may be wrong, of course, but that is my general impression. Sarawakians generally used swords or spears in battle...
@Okan93
@Okan93 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the awesome video! Could you maybe write down the names of the weapons next time on screen as it's hard to look up the weapons on google afterwards?
@davidhawley3337
@davidhawley3337 Жыл бұрын
If memory serves, in H. Rider Haggard's 1887 (or 1888?) novel _Allan Quatermain_, Quatermain's Zulu chieftain pal, Umslopogaas, wields a specialized battle axe, with a handle made from a rhinoceros horn and with a back spike. Most of the time Umslopogaas preferred to use the back spike with surgical precision, hence his nickname "the Woodpecker."
@xjasonxbx1
@xjasonxbx1 Жыл бұрын
Interesting. I would like to see some possible technique modifications that could be applied to these types of battle axes.
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