Battle ax or sword. What is cooler - a sword, an ax or a katana? We explain using the example of For Honor. ancient battle ax

It has come a long way through the millennia along with man and still remains a very popular tool. Battle axes were practically revived after the Vietnam War (1964-1975) and are currently experiencing a new wave of popularity. The main secret ax lies in its versatility, although chopping trees with a battle ax is not very convenient.

Battle Ax Options

After watching movies in which horned Vikings brandish huge axes, many are left with the impression that a battle ax is something huge, terrifying in its very appearance. But real battle axes differed from workers just in their small size and increased shaft length. The battle ax weighed, as a rule, from 150 to 600 grams, and the length of the handle was about 80 centimeters. With such weapons it was possible to fight for hours without getting tired. The exception was a two-handed ax, the shape and size of which correspond to the impressive "cine" specimens.

Types of battle axes

By types and forms, battle axes can be divided into:

• One-handed;
• two-handed;
• Single-edged;
• Double-edged.

In addition, axes are divided into:

• Actually axes;
• Axes;
• Coins;

Each of these species has many subspecies and variations, however, the main division looks exactly like this.

ancient battle ax

The history of the ax began in the Stone Age. As you know, the first tools for man were a stick and a stone. The stick evolved into a club or club, a stone into a sharp axe, which is the progenitor of the ax. A chopper could cut prey or cut a branch. Even then, the progenitor of the ax was used in inter-tribal skirmishes, as evidenced by the findings of broken skulls.

A turning point in the history of the ax was the invention of a method for connecting a stick with a handaxe. Such a simple design increased the impact power several times. At first, the stone was tied to the handle with vines or animal veins, which made the connection extremely unreliable, although the ax was enough for several blows. The shape of the stone ax already then resembled the modern one. Combat skirmishes required reliable weapons, and gradually axes began to be ground and attached to the handle through a hole drilled in stone. Making a high-quality ax required long and painstaking work, so skillfully made axes were used mainly in skirmishes with enemies. Already in that era, a division into battle and working axes appeared.

Axes of the Bronze Age

The heyday of the era of bronze axes occurred in ancient greece. At first, the battle ax of the Hellenes was made of stone, but with the development of metallurgy, battle axes began to be made of bronze. Along with bronze axes, stone axes were also used for a long time. Greek axes were first made double-edged. The most famous Greek ax with two blades is the labrys.

Images of labrys are often found on ancient Greek vases, it is held in the hands supreme god Greek pantheon Zeus. Findings of huge labris in the excavations of Cretan palaces testify to the cult and symbolic use of these axes. Labryses were divided into two groups:

• Cult and ceremonial;
• Combat labrys.

Everything is clear with the cult ones: because of their huge size, they simply could not be used in skirmishes. The combat labrys copied the size of an ordinary battle ax (a small ax with a long handle), only the blades were located on both sides. We can say that these are two axes combined into one. The complexity of manufacturing made such an ax an attribute of leaders and great warriors. Most likely, this served as the further ritualization of the labrys. To use it in battle, a warrior had to have considerable strength and dexterity. Labrys could be used as Two-handed weapon, because two blades made it possible to strike without turning the shaft. In this case, the warrior had to dodge enemy blows, and any hit from the Labrys was usually fatal.

The use of a labrys paired with a shield required great skill and strength in the hands (although the labrys for this were made individually and were smaller). Such a warrior was practically invincible and in the eyes of others was the embodiment of a hero or god.

Axes of the barbarians of the era of ancient Rome

During the reign ancient rome The main weapon of the barbarian tribes was also an ax. Among the barbarian tribes of Europe there was no rigid division into classes, each man was a warrior, hunter and farmer. Axes were used both in everyday life and in war. However, in those days there was a very specific ax - Francis, which was used only for combat.

First encountered on the battlefield with the barbarians armed by the Francis, the invincible legionnaires at first suffered defeat after defeat (however, the Roman military school quickly developed new methods of protection). Barbarians with huge force threw their axes at the legionnaires, and when they were at close range, they cut them with great speed. As it turned out, the barbarian Francis were of two types:

• Throwing, with a shorter handle, to which a long rope was often tied, allowing you to pull the weapon back;
• Francis for close combat, which was used as a two-handed or one-handed weapon.

This division was not rigid and, if necessary, the “ordinary” Francis could be thrown no worse than the “special” one.

The very name "Francisca" recalls that this battle ax was used by the Germanic tribe of the Franks. Each warrior had several axes, and the Francis for close combat was a carefully kept weapon and the pride of its owner. Numerous excavations of the burial places of rich warriors testify to the high importance of this weapon for the owner.

Viking battle ax

The ancient battle axes of the Vikings were a terrible weapon of that era and were associated specifically with sea robbers. One-handed axes had many forms that did not differ much from each other, but the two-handed Brodex ax was remembered for a long time by the enemies of the Vikings. The main difference between Brodex is a wide blade. With such a width, it is difficult to talk about the versatility of the ax, but he chopped off limbs with one blow. In that era, the armor was leather or chain mail, and a wide blade cut through them perfectly.

There were also one-handed brodexes, but the so-called "Danish ax" was exactly two-handed and was the best fit for foot and tall Scandinavian pirates. Why did the ax become the symbol of the Vikings? The Scandinavians went to the "Vikings" for prey not at all because of the incredible steepness, they were forced to do so by harsh natural conditions and barren lands. Where do poor farmers get money for swords? But everyone had an ax in the household. After reforging the blade, it was only necessary to plant the ax on a long, strong handle, and the terrible Viking was ready to go. After successful campaigns, the warriors acquired good armor and weapons (including swords), but the ax remained the favorite weapon of many fighters, especially since they masterfully owned it.

Battle axes of the Slavs

battle ax shape ancient Rus' practically did not differ from the one-handed axes of Scandinavia. Since Rus' had close ties with Scandinavia, the Russian battle ax was the twin brother of the Scandinavian. Foot Russian squads and especially the militia used battle axes as the main weapon.

Rus' also maintained close ties with the East, from where a specific battle hatchet came from - coinage. It looks like a hatchet-slander. You can often find information that a chasing and a pick are one weapon - but despite the external similarity, these are completely different axes. The hammer has a narrow blade that cuts through the target, while the pick has a beak-like shape and pierces the target. If not the best quality metal can be used to make a pick, then the narrow blade of the chaser must withstand significant loads. The combat coinage of the Russians was the weapon of the riders who adopted this weapon from the equestrian steppes. Often, the coinage was richly decorated with precious inlay and served as a distinction of the military elite.

Battle ax in Rus' in more later times served as the main weapon of the bandit gangs and was a symbol of peasant riots (along with combat scythes).

The ax is the main competitor of the sword

For many centuries, the battle ax did not give way to such specialized weapons as the sword. The development of metallurgy made it possible to mass-produce swords designed exclusively for combat functions. Despite this, the axes did not lose ground, and judging by the excavations, they even took the lead. Consider why the ax is like universal tool could compete on equal terms with the sword:

• The high cost of the sword compared to the ax;
• The ax was available in any household and was suitable for battle after a slight alteration;
• For an ax, it is optional to use high-quality metal.

Currently, many firms make so-called "tactical" tomahawks or battle axes. SOG products with their flagship model M48 are especially advertised. Axes have a very spectacular "predatory" appearance and various options butt (hammer, pick or second blade). These devices are more intended for military operations than for economic use. Because of the plastic handle, throwing such tomahawks is not recommended: they fall apart after a few hits against a tree. In the hand, this device is also not very comfortable and constantly tries to turn around, because of which the blow can turn out to be sliding or even flat. It is better to make a battle ax yourself or with the help of a blacksmith. Such a product will be reliable and made according to your hand.

Making a battle ax

In order to make a battle ax, you will need an ordinary household ax (preferably made in the USSR during Stalin's time), a template and a grinder with a sharpener. We cut the blade according to the template and give the desired shape to the ax. After that, the ax is mounted on a long handle. Everything, the battle ax is ready!

If you want to get a high-quality battle ax, you can forge it yourself or order it from a blacksmith. In this case, you can choose a steel grade and be completely confident in the quality of the finished product.

The history of battle axes has more than a dozen millennia, and although in modern world few models left for combat use, at many houses or in the country is stored regular ax, which can be turned into a combat one without much effort.

If you have any questions - leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them.

I am fond of martial arts with weapons, historical fencing. I write about weapons military equipment because it is interesting and familiar to me. I often learn a lot of new things and want to share these facts with people who are not indifferent to military topics.

Or the eternal enemy of the sword.

Good day everyone! By writing this article, I am opening a new section on my resource - chopping melee weapons. There are many varieties of battle axes and it is simply not possible to consider them all in one article. And therefore, this article will be introductory - a kind of introduction to all subsequent ones, and at the same time - a table of contents for the section. I already used this practice earlier in the section on "".

And now directly to the point. We all imagine appearance an ax, and this is not surprising - an ax is such a useful, convenient and practical thing for creative work, known to everyone, that it is simply impossible not to know about it. We will touch on a more interesting component of the hypostasis of the ax - its combat use and varieties.

A multifunctional shock-chopping melee weapon, a kind of ax designed to defeat the enemy's manpower. Distinctive feature battle ax is the small weight of the blade (about half a kilogram) and a long ax handle (from fifty centimeters). Battle axes were single-handed and two-handed, single-sided and double-sided. A battle ax was used, both for close combat and for throwing.

According to the generally accepted classification, the ax occupies an intermediate position between conventional percussion weapons and bladed melee weapons. This is a group of chopping edged weapons or, as it is also called - percussion-chopping melee weapons .

A little about the origin of the ax ...

First, let's decide when the history of the ax begins? An ax similar to the classical form, having a handle and a striking part, appeared approximately six thousand years BC, in the Mesolithic era. The ax was used mainly as a tool and was intended for cutting trees, building dwellings, rafts and other things. The shock part was stone and roughly hewn. Only in the later stages of the development of the Stone Age did the ax begin to take on a more "human" appearance. Polished and drilled stone axes began to appear, which were used not only as a trench tool, but also as a weapon in close combat or hunting.

The ax is generally clearest example as household tool can be reborn and become a melee weapon. This basically explains its ubiquitous distribution among almost all peoples. And before the advent of other purely combat weapons, such as the sword, the ax was, in a way, a monopoly in the field of effective edged weapons. After the appearance of the sword, they became the main rivals for the championship in the field of combat edged weapons, this is especially clearly seen in the example of the West.

Why did the ax never lose the fight with the sword?

The answer to this question lies on the surface. True, there are quite a few reasons. Let's take a look at them. I will not consider the positive qualities of the sword, since the article is still about axes.

So let's go:

• An ax is much easier to make.
• The ax is more versatile.
• At close and short distances, the ax can be used as a throwing weapon.
• Much great power impact, due to the large mass and short blade.
• In combat, almost the entire design of the ax works. The corners of the blade can be used to poke or cling to the enemy, and the prepared butt was often used as a striking or stabbing weapon.
• Grip versatility. A battle ax can be used with one or two hands.
• High efficiency against enemy armor. Armor can actually break through, inflicting severe injuries to the enemy.
• The ability to inflict stunning, but not fatal blows.

As can be seen from the above material, positive qualities not to occupy a battle ax, and this is far from all. In general, the battle ax is a rather formidable and effective weapon.

General classification of the battle ax.

Let's now look at the main categories by which battle axes can be classified, there are two of them:

1. Handle length.
2. The shape of the blade of the ax itself.

The length of the handle, as the main criterion, could be of three main sizes.

Short handle was up to thirty centimeters long, and in general, equal to the length of the forearm. Axes of this size received another name - hand ax. Such axes could be used in pairs, striking with two hands. In addition, the small size of such an ax made it possible to throw it easily and accurately, as well as use it as a secondary weapon or a weapon for the left hand. It was convenient to hold such an ax under the blade and inflict a kind of “knuckle blows”. The handle itself at the end usually had a slight thickening, or a special limiter that prevented the hand from slipping.

The second version of the handle - medium size handle. Other name - two-handed ax . This variety had a handle up to one meter in size and was intended for a wide two-handed grip. With this type of battle ax, it is convenient to block blows and counterattack. A metal ball, pike or hook was usually attached to the butt of the handle, which made it possible to deliver additional blows. In addition, with such a grip, one hand is protected by a blade, like a guard. Such an ax is convenient for use from a horse and in tight passages and rooms.

Third view- This long handle. In general, the handle

such a battle ax is longer than that of two-handed ax, but less than that of the peak. Such weapons are designed mainly for combat against enemy cavalry.

By blade shape the classification is somewhat more complex. Do more early species battle axes, there is a main emphasis on chopping blows and, accordingly, such axes had a shape elongated from the butt to the blade. The length of the blade was often half the width of the axe.

The presence of a semi-circular blade with a length greater than the width indicates that this ax. This shape of the blade increases the possibility of stabbing, as well as chopping with an outflow of blows. At the same time, the penetration power of the weapon as a whole is somewhat reduced.

If the upper end of the ax is sharply protruding forward, giving an even greater opportunity for piercing and cutting blows, then we have reed. Wherein classic reed additionally provides full protection of the second hand, due to the connection of the lower part of the blade with the handle. True, this variety is found only in Poland and Russia.

An ax that has a blade tapering towards the end and having a triangular or dagger shape is called slander. In general, the pick is very similar to, but due to the presence of a blade, it has the ability to deliver undercutting blows. This type adequately copes with the armor and shields of the enemy, while not getting stuck in them.

Battle axes can be unilateral, and bilateral. On one-sided axes, on the side opposite the blade, called the butt, they usually put a hook or a spike - to deliver additional blows. Bilateral axes, on the contrary, had blades on both sides of the handle, as a rule, of a symmetrical shape. With such axes it is convenient to strike in both directions.

Since the article turns out to be cumbersome, for convenience it was decided to divide it into two parts. In the second part, we will take a closer look at the features of each species separately, as well as their historical changes. Subscribe to the news so you don't miss anything!

Who is stronger?

The plot of For Honor fits in a couple of lines: due to an unnamed cataclysm, three nameless armies from different times and ends of the world are thrown into one location. We do not know the names or number of soldiers. The parties are also not very interested in this and simply begin to exterminate each other, as a result, everything turns into a 1000-year war.

Savchenko: “Let's imagine who is in front of us. The people in these armies are around 20 years old. Of course, there were 50- and 60-year-old warriors, but they held the posts of serious military leaders. They grew up early in the Middle Ages, there was no concept of childhood as such, it appears only in the 19th century. A knight could receive spurs by serving as a squire at the age of 15–16. What are we, Napoleon Bonaparte at the age of 26 was already a general!

If we talk about the chances of winning, they are all more or less equal. Samurai and knights are a service army. It's no secret that no knights were born in Europe. This is a title that was obtained as a result of service. The institute of chivalry began to emerge in the 10th-11th century, when a person of ignoble origin could become a knight. But somewhere from the XIII century it becomes impossible. Young people from noble families, by virtue of their position and social status everyone could free time devote to military training. That is, they actually prepared for battles all their lives.

Samurai in Japan is a military class that is in the service of large landowners. Vikings is a completely different product. There are many theories, according to one of them, Viking is generally the name of the profession. "Vik" means "military campaign". A Viking is any person who goes on a raid. He is hired on a ship or collects his own if he is a rich person.

Military training

In the game, the warriors of each side are ranked by speed and strength. Everyone will have to get used to, they all act differently, each has its own signature movements.

Illustration from Talhoffer's textbook

Savchenko: “Today we know that all these peoples were preparing for battles, they had special schools Hello! No luck - there is no promo code here. Look further, they are definitely still in other materials!. Little is known about the Vikings, but Scandinavian sagas have come down to us, which say that from childhood, boys shot from a bow, held an ax in their hands. But, alas, there are no textbooks left. Most likely, skills were transferred from more experienced warriors to younger ones.

In Europe, since the period of the High Middle Ages, we have a number of sources that can safely be called textbooks. The most famous is a fencing textbook by a German master. This is a set of pictures depicting certain positions, under which there are descriptions. The book has several sections: fencing without protective equipment, in armor (you will agree that it is rather pointless to cut a man in armor, he needs to be stabbed with high quality), wrestling, fencing on horseback. There you can find instructions down to how to tie up a prisoner and put him in a bag. In similar writings, situations are considered in which one person fights in armor, the other without them.

As for the Japanese school, the written culture there is much older than Europe, so there were also treatises on military affairs. But everyone prepared for different things and in different ways. Still, warriors usually more or less imagined what they would face. Under potential adversary the tools that will be used and the protective equipment are adjusted.”

Armor

The characters of the game seemed to be dressed by Hollywood fashion designers: furs, massive metal plaques, complex fantasy-looking armor. Then sets are promised and at all unearthly beauty. Things, by the way, can be purchased for real money in the built-in store.

Gjermundby - the only genuine Viking helmet found dates back to the 10th century, and it has no horns

Savchenko: “The approach to using weapons and protective equipment for our characters was different. The Vikings did not use armor because they did not want to. They just didn't have much to choose from. For the manufacture of elements of Japanese armor, leather and horn plates were not in vain used. These materials are no better than iron - there was a shortage of it in Japan. Yes, and in Europe they did not immediately come to plate plate armor. It is the product of a long evolution of craft skills and technology. Until the XIII century, the main protective equipment was chain mail, which varied in length in different periods. The Vikings also wore it with pleasure, but the cost of chain mail was extremely high. In addition to chain mail, a “combat headband” and a helmet were used. In the XIII century, lamellar reinforcement of chain mail gradually began to appear in Europe - elbow pads, shoulder pads, greaves, and during the XIV century all this already looked like a complete so-called. By the 15th century, it takes on its usual form, by the 16th century it reaches absolutely incredible forms, then it begins to slowly leave the battlefields. To be honest, samurai and vikings can inflict not such big damage knight in full armor. So I would bet on the latter in this matter.”

Tactics

For Honor is a game about heroes, the chosen ones. Although there are dozens of privates on the battlefield, they do not affect the outcome of the battle. But they do their best to create the right atmosphere: they line up in battle formations and storm castles.

Savchenko: “The basis of the foundations of military affairs is order, order. It is always more effective than a scattered crowd. The system is comrades on the right, on the left and behind. But I can’t remember a case when knights fought in the ranks of plate infantry, there was no such thing. There was, of course, when the British hurried the knights to support the archers. But they simply inspired the mob with their presence and stopped attempts to escape.

Understand, the very word "knight" comes from the German Ritter - "rider". He is inseparable from the horse. If such a conflict actually happened, the knights would have mounted their horses and trampled the enemy quite quickly. It's a shame that horses are not in the game.

Vikings rode horses too! There is mention of this in the sagas. But they really didn't fight on horseback. The Vikings went on a campaign, saddled their horses, reached the battlefield, dismounted, lined up and started the battle. Their famous formation is the shield wall. When you shield yourself and partially your neighbor with a shield. In general, even now I am for the knights.

Weapon

Each For Honor hero's weaponry defines their combat style. A Viking with a heavy two-handed hammer is clumsy, but hits with monstrous force. Japanese girl with a naginata halberd, she is able to make 3-4 furious jabs and run away while the enemy takes some measures. You cannot change weapons, but you can improve as you complete tasks.

A good samurai sword was rare, and samurai often used a bow in battle.

Savchenko: “From time immemorial, while mankind was destroying itself hand-to-hand, the most common weapon was a spear. It is simple: a long stick sharpened and tempered in a fire, or a stick with a small bronze or stone tip. Why are Vikings usually drawn with an axe? For the same reason - it is cheaper than a sword Congratulations! You found a promo code: 252 Send it in the comments to the post and in private messages of the community. Be the very first to send this code and get a ticket to Wargaming Fest.. To obtain good sword, you need a large piece of high quality steel, which must be processed in a specific way, a master works on it, so this thing is expensive. And status. The swords of the three sides of the conflict are very different, as their owners pursue different goals. The so-called Viking swords are quite wide and have a rounding, which is quite difficult to prick. It is designed to cut. The swords quickly changed their shape when full armor appeared, and it became clear that it was useless to cut them. The weapon then becomes longer and sharper.

WITH samurai sword in general, the story is interesting. It is covered with myths and legends, I believe that this is the result of a very successful work of PR people in Japanese culture. There is not enough iron in Japan, and it is technologically difficult to make a good sword. All that careful dressing, packing, when the blacksmith spends a lot of time on one blade, these were forced measures in order to get a more or less high-quality blade. By the way, katana is typologically not a sword, but a saber or even a checker.

On the issue of weapons, it is difficult to make an unambiguous choice - it is more important who uses it how. It is useless to chop with rolled armor. Chasing a samurai in light armor in 23–30 kg armor is also pointless.”

Shape and color of clothes

Since the enemy in the game can choose exactly the same heroes as you, For Honor paints enemies in different colors- to distinguish between insiders and outsiders.

Savchenko: “The shape and some distinctive colors in the Middle Ages were definitely not known. Whom to beat, and who not to beat, was distinguished by the banners. In the Middle Ages they played extremely important role communication with the army. You are in the thick of the battle, there is no connection, you need to somehow navigate. Therefore, when the army lined up for battle, it was full of banners. Besides, in different occasions some identification marks could be applied to the clothes. This was hardly of a mass character, military leaders or some special detachments stood out. It could be, for example, bandages. But in general, history knows battles when the allies attacked each other due to a misunderstanding.”

duels

When you get tired of chaotic battles, go to a duel. Feints, exhausting the enemy, cold calculation and surprise attacks are all here.

Tournament. Illustration from the Manes Code of the 14th century.

Savchenko: “Fights, of course, knew all the parties to the conflict. The Vikings, for example, had a court. IN Western Europe there was a culture of tournament fights Congratulations! You found a promo code: 761 Send it in the comments to the post and in private messages of the community. Be the very first to send this code and get a ticket to Wargaming Fest.. They began as very bloody events, the participants of which often died. Then all this evolved into theatrical performances. In my opinion, the peak of the development of knightly duels falls on the 15th century, and at the “Tournament of St. George” we recreate this period.

A battle ax can be very different: one-handed and two-handed, with one and even with two blades. With a relatively light warhead (not heavier than 0.5-0.8 kg) and a long (from 50 cm) ax handle, this weapon has an impressive penetrating power - it's all about the small area of ​​​​contact of the cutting edge with the surface, as a result of which all the impact energy concentrated in one point. Axes were often used against heavily armored infantry and cavalry: the narrow blade is perfectly wedged into the joints of the armor and, with a successful hit, can cut through all layers of protection, leaving a long bleeding cut on the body.

Combat modifications of axes have been widely used all over the world since ancient times: even before the era of metal, people carved axes out of stone - despite the fact that quartz stess is not inferior in sharpness to a scalpel! The evolution of the ax is diverse, and today we will consider the top five most impressive battle axes of all time:

Ax

Brodex - Scandinavian war ax

Distinctive feature axes - a crescent-shaped blade, the length of which can reach 30-35 cm. A heavy piece of sharpened metal on a long shaft made sweeping blows incredibly effective: often this was the only way to somehow break through heavy armor. The wide blade of the ax could act as an impromptu harpoon pulling the rider from the saddle. The warhead was tightly driven into the eye and fixed there with rivets or nails. Roughly speaking, the ax is common name for a number of subspecies of battle axes, some of which we will discuss below.

The most furious dispute that accompanies the ax from the moment it was formidable weapon Hollywood fell in love - this, of course, is the question of the existence of double-edged axes. Of course, on the screen, this miracle weapon looks very impressive and, coupled with a ridiculous helmet adorned with a pair of sharp horns, completes the look of a brutal Scandinavian. In practice, the “butterfly” blade is too massive, which creates a very large inertia upon impact. Often, a sharp spike was located on the back of the warhead of the ax; however, Greek axes-labrys with two wide blades are also known - weapons for the most part ceremonial, but still somehow suitable for real combat.

Valashka

Valashka - and a staff, and military weapon

National hatchet of the highlanders who inhabited the Carpathians. A narrow wedge-shaped knob protruding strongly forward, the butt of which often represented a forged muzzle of an animal or was simply decorated with carved ornaments. Valashka, thanks to the long handle, is a staff, a cleaver, and a battle axe. Such a tool was practically indispensable in the mountains and was a status sign of a sexually mature married man, the head of the family.

The name of the ax comes from Wallachia - a historical region in the south of modern Romania, the patrimony of the legendary Vlad III Tepes. It migrated to Central Europe in the XIV-XVII centuries and became an invariable shepherd's attribute. Starting from the 17th century, the valashka gained popularity at the behest of popular uprisings and received the status of a full-fledged military weapon.

Berdysh

Berdysh is distinguished by a wide, moon-shaped blade with a sharp top

The berdysh is distinguished from other axes by a very wide blade shaped like an elongated crescent. At the lower end of a long shaft (the so-called ratovishcha) an iron tip (inflow) was fixed - with it the weapon rested on the ground at the parade and during the siege. In Rus', the berdysh in the 15th century played the same role as the Western European halberd. The long shaft made it possible to keep a great distance between the opponents, and the blow of the sharp half-moon blade was truly terrible. Unlike many other axes, the berdysh was effective not only as a chopping weapon: the sharp end could stab, and the wide blade repelled blows well, so the shield was unnecessary for the skilled owner of the berdysh.

The berdysh was also used in equestrian combat. The berdysh of equestrian archers and dragoons were smaller in comparison with infantry samples, and on the shaft of such a berdysh there were two iron rings so that the weapon could be hung on a belt.

Polex

Poleks with protective splints and a butt in the form of a hammer - a weapon for all occasions

Polex appeared in Europe around the 15th-16th centuries and was intended for foot combat. According to disparate historical source, there were many variants of this weapon. A distinctive feature has always been a long spike at the top and often at the lower end of the weapon, but the shape of the warhead varied: here is a heavy ax blade, and a hammer with a counterweight spike, and much more.

Metal flats can be seen on the shaft of the poleax. These are the so-called langets, which provide the shaft with additional protection against cutting. Sometimes you can find rondels - special discs protecting the hands. Polex is not only a combat weapon, but also a tournament weapon, and therefore additional protection, even reducing combat effectiveness, looks justified. It is worth noting that, unlike the halberd, the pommel of the poleaxe was not one-piece forged, but its parts were attached to each other with bolts or pins.

Bearded Ax

"Beard" gave the ax additional cutting properties

The "classic", "grandfather's" ax came to us from the north of Europe. The name itself is most likely of Scandinavian origin: the Norwegian word Skeggox consists of two words: skegg(beard) and ox(axe) - Now you can show off your knowledge of Old Norse on occasion! characteristic feature axes are the straight upper edge of the warhead and the blade drawn down. This form gave the weapon not only chopping, but also cutting properties; in addition, the "beard" allowed to take weapons with a double grip, in which one hand was protected by the blade itself. In addition, the notch reduced the weight of the ax - and, given the short handle, the fighters with this weapon did not rely on strength, but on speed.

Such an ax, like its numerous relatives, is a tool for both domestic work and combat. For the Norwegians, whose light boats did not allow them to take excess luggage with them (after all, there was still room for the loot!), Such versatility played a very important role.

Good day everyone! By writing this article, I am opening a new section on my resource - chopping melee weapons. There are many varieties of battle axes and it is simply not possible to consider them all in one article. And therefore, this article will be introductory - a kind of introduction to all subsequent ones, and at the same time - a table of contents for the section. I already used this practice earlier in the section on " daggers».

And now directly to the point. We all imagine the appearance of an ax, and there is nothing surprising in this - an ax is such a useful, convenient and practical thing for creative work, known to everyone, that it is simply impossible not to know about it. We will touch on a more interesting component of the hypostasis of the ax - its combat use and varieties.

A multifunctional shock-chopping melee weapon, a kind of ax designed to defeat the enemy's manpower. A distinctive feature of the battle ax is the small weight of the blade (about half a kilogram) and a long ax handle (from fifty centimeters). Battle axes were single-handed and two-handed, single-sided and double-sided. A battle ax was used, both for close combat and for throwing.

According to the generally accepted classification, the ax occupies an intermediate position between conventional percussion weapons and bladed melee weapons. This is a group of chopping edged weapons or, as it is also called - percussion-chopping melee weapons.

A little about the origin of the ax ...

First, let's decide when the history of the ax begins? An ax similar to the classical form, having a handle and a striking part, appeared approximately six thousand years BC, in the Mesolithic era. The ax was used mainly as a tool and was intended for cutting trees, building dwellings, rafts and other things. The shock part was stone and roughly hewn. Only in the later stages of the development of the Stone Age did the ax begin to take on a more "human" appearance. Polished and drilled stone axes began to appear, which were used not only as a trench tool, but also as a weapon in close combat or hunting.

The ax, in general, is the clearest example of how an economic tool can be reborn and become a melee weapon. This basically explains its ubiquitous distribution among almost all peoples. And before the advent of other purely combat weapons, such as the sword, the ax was, in a way, a monopoly in the field of effective edged weapons. After the appearance of the sword, they became the main rivals for the championship in the field of combat edged weapons, this is especially clearly seen in the example of the West.

Why did the ax never lose the fight with the sword?

The answer to this question lies on the surface. True, there are quite a few reasons. Let's take a look at them. I will not consider the positive qualities of the sword, since the article is still about axes.

So let's go:

• An ax is much easier to make.
• The ax is more versatile.
• At close and short distances, the ax can be used as a throwing weapon.
• Significantly greater impact force, due to the large mass and short blade.
• In combat, almost the entire design of the ax works. The corners of the blade can be used to poke or cling to the enemy, and the prepared butt was often used as a striking or stabbing weapon.
• Grip versatility. A battle ax can be used with one or two hands.
• High efficiency against enemy armor. Armor can actually break through, inflicting severe injuries to the enemy.
• The ability to inflict stunning, but not fatal blows.

As can be seen from the above material, the battle ax does not have positive qualities, and this is far from all. In general, the battle ax is a rather formidable and effective weapon.

General classification of the battle ax.

Let's now look at the main categories by which battle axes can be classified, there are two of them:

1. Handle length.
2. The shape of the blade of the ax itself.

The length of the handle, as the main criterion, could be of three main sizes.

Short handle was up to thirty centimeters long, and in general, equal to the length of the forearm. Axes of this size received another name - hand ax. Such axes could be used in pairs, striking with two hands. In addition, the small size of such an ax made it possible to throw it easily and accurately, as well as use it as a secondary weapon or a weapon for the left hand. It was convenient to hold such an ax under the blade and inflict a kind of “knuckle blows”. The handle itself at the end usually had a slight thickening, or a special limiter that prevented the hand from slipping.

The second version of the handle - medium size handle. Other name - two-handed ax. This variety had a handle up to one meter in size and was intended for a wide two-handed grip. With this type of battle ax, it is convenient to block blows and counterattack. A metal ball, pike or hook was usually attached to the butt of the handle, which made it possible to deliver additional blows. In addition, with such a grip, one hand is protected by a blade, like a guard. Such an ax is convenient for use from a horse and in tight passages and rooms.

Third view- This long handle. In general, the handle

such a battle ax is longer than that of a two-handed ax, but less than that of a pike. Such weapons are designed mainly for combat against enemy cavalry.

By blade shape the classification is somewhat more complex. In earlier types of battle axes, the main emphasis is on chopping blows and, accordingly, such axes had an elongated shape from the butt to the blade. The length of the blade was often half the width of the axe.

The presence of a semi-circular blade with a length greater than the width indicates that this ax. This shape of the blade increases the possibility of stabbing, as well as chopping with an outflow of blows. At the same time, the penetration power of the weapon as a whole is somewhat reduced.

If the upper end of the ax is sharply protruding forward, giving an even greater opportunity for piercing and cutting blows, then we have reed. Wherein classic reed additionally provides full protection of the second hand, due to the connection of the lower part of the blade with the handle. True, this variety is found only in Poland and Russia.

An ax that has a blade tapering towards the end and having a triangular or dagger shape is called slander. In general, klevets is very similar to minted, but due to the presence of a blade, it has the ability to apply undercutting blows. This type adequately copes with the armor and shields of the enemy, while not getting stuck in them.

Battle axes can be unilateral, and bilateral. On one-sided axes, on the side opposite the blade, called the butt, they usually put a hook or a spike - to deliver additional blows. Bilateral axes, on the contrary, had blades on both sides of the handle, as a rule, of a symmetrical shape. With such axes it is convenient to strike in both directions.

Since the article turns out to be cumbersome, for convenience it was decided to divide it into two parts. In the second part, we will take a closer look at the features of each species separately, as well as their historical changes.