Battle-axe facts for kids

A battle-axe is a special kind of axe made for fighting. Imagine a tool like a regular axe used for chopping wood, but designed to be a weapon!

Battle axes came in many sizes. Some were small enough to be held in one hand, while others were much bigger and needed two hands to swing. These weapons usually weighed between 1 and 6 pounds (about 0.5 to 3 kilograms). They could be short, around 1 foot (30 centimeters), or very long, up to 5 feet (1.5 meters)! The famous Danish axe was one of these longer types. If an axe was even longer than 5 feet, it was usually called a polearm.

An 18th-century Indian battle axe.

A medieval one-handed battle-axe.

Throughout history, people have used everyday objects as weapons. Axes were very common tools, so it made sense to use them in battles too. Besides axes made just for combat, many regular axes were also used as tools. Some axes could even be thrown, like the francisca, a throwing axe used by the Franks.

Axes were often cheaper to make than swords. This meant they were more widely available for soldiers and warriors.

What is a Battle-Axe?

A battle-axe is an axe made specifically for fighting. It is different from a regular axe used for chopping wood, though some tools could be used as weapons. Battle-axes were important weapons for many centuries. They were used by soldiers in many different cultures around the world.

How Battle-Axes Were Used

Battle-axes were used in close combat. Warriors would swing them to hit their enemies. The sharp blade of the axe could cause a lot of damage. Different types of axes were used in different ways. Some were quick and light for fast attacks. Others were heavy and powerful for breaking through armor.

One-Handed Axes

Many battle-axes were designed to be used with one hand. These axes were often lighter and shorter. This made them easy to carry and swing quickly. Soldiers could also use a shield in their other hand for protection. One-handed axes were common for Viking warriors and medieval knights.

Two-Handed Axes

Larger battle-axes needed two hands to use. These axes were much heavier and longer. They could deliver very powerful blows. Two-handed axes were often used by strong warriors. They could break through shields and armor. The famous Danish axe was a type of two-handed axe. It was known for its long handle and large, crescent-shaped blade.

A Viking "bearded axe" blade from around 1000 (top), and a German horseman's axe blade from around 1100 (bottom).

The History of Battle-Axes

Axes have been used as tools and weapons for thousands of years. Early axes were made of stone. Later, people learned to make them from bronze and then iron.

Ancient Axes

In ancient times, axes were important tools for building and farming. They were also used in battles. Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Mesopotamians used axes in their armies. The Zhou dynasty in China also used bronze axes as weapons.

Medieval Axes

During the Middle Ages, battle-axes became very popular in Europe. Knights and foot soldiers used them. They were especially common among the Vikings. Viking axes often had a "beard" or hook on the blade. This could be used to pull down shields or trip enemies.

Later Uses of Axes

Even after the Middle Ages, axes continued to be used in warfare. They were still seen in some armies up to the 18th and 19th centuries. Some cultures, like the Persians, had special battle-axes called Tabarzin. These axes often had a small, crescent-shaped head.

Images for kids

• 

  Horseman's axe, circa 1475. The blade's punched decoration suggests German make. This is an example of a battle axe that was tailored for the use of a mounted knight. The wooden haft is modern.

• 

  Bronze axes from the Zhou dynasty.

• 

  Stone axe heads in polished greenstone from the collections of the Hôtel-Dieu in Tournus (Saône-et-Loire, France). Found in Saône River.

• 

  An ornamented, 7th-century Merovingian battle axe head on display in the British Museum.

• 

  A Chinese general with his attendant, from Spanish illustrations, 16th century.

• 

  Armored axemen from the Song dynasty.

• 

  A Japanese drawing of the axe-wielding outlaw, Li Kui.

• 

  A Panabas axe.

• 

  Dong Son axes.

• 

  A Qajar-era Persian dervish, with a Tabarzin (axe) in Tehran's Grand Bazaar.

• 

  A dervish with a Tabar (axe).