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Main => The Round Table => Topic started by: Dragonlover on 2008-07-13, 00:35:04

Title: Axes....
Post by: Dragonlover on 2008-07-13, 00:35:04
The History channel has just run an episode of "Modern Marvels" that dealt with axes. I'm a sword afficianado, but this was a very informative and awesome program!!!!!! ;D
Title: Re: Axes....
Post by: Sir Griff on 2008-07-13, 13:52:07
Axes are more practical for the average grunt, you know? After a battle, you're not really going to cut your firewood with a sword, are you? But an axe on the other hand can double as both an efficient tool and a fierce weapon.
Title: Re: Axes....
Post by: Sir Wolf on 2008-07-16, 16:22:06
i dont believe that. there are a lot of historical axes that are way too detail oriented for some grunt to own one.  now there is a historical text i beleive in the paston letters about dont give then men swods, they'll jsut use them to cut wood etc.  but this is dealing with supplying your army etc when you already had to give them a helmet, jack and a bow.

pole weapons (often pole axes in later medieval years) were the first line of defence for a knight or man at arms.  swords then daggers were usually the last 2 weapons used against armoured foes.
Title: Re: Axes....
Post by: Sir Brian on 2008-07-16, 18:23:45
The History channel has just run an episode of "Modern Marvels" that dealt with axes. I'm a sword afficianado, but this was a very informative and awesome program!!!!!! ;D

Rats, I missed it! - Well not again! I finally signed up for e-mail notifications of the history channel's schedules...at my work computer of course!  ;)
Title: Re: Axes....
Post by: Sir Wolf on 2008-07-16, 19:52:27
hmmm i was not awaire you could do that. very cool. thanks for the heads up!
Title: Re: Axes....
Post by: Sir Griff on 2008-07-23, 14:35:09
Speaking from a quantity viewpoint, I'm sure axes outnumbered swords since swords were pretty exclusive weapons. Yes, pollaxes and various other polearms were the main weapon for your average soldier, but as a side-arm, daggers, axes and knives were much more common than swords.
Title: Re: Axes....
Post by: Dragonlover on 2008-08-06, 23:55:30
Actually, war-hammers were used quite extensively in the period era of full plate.
Several battles during the War of the Roses were documented as victims having their
skulls staved in. No finesse, just wade in swinging, I suppose...... :o
Title: Re: Axes....
Post by: Sir Wolf on 2008-08-07, 16:04:12
i still doubt it on the axes. there arent that many finds to support it. i would say spear heads and then the bows/arrows