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WABUKAN Arsenal · Axes · Europe

Dane axe

A two-handed battle axe of the Viking Age with a long shaft and a broad, very thin blade, built for long, powerful cuts; it appears all over the Bayeux Tapestry.

Dane axe
Dane axe WABUKAN illustration

Also known as

long axe; Danish axe; English long axe; broadaxe (Old Norse breiðøx)

Origin and history

The Dane axe was used mainly from the Viking Age to the transition between the Early and High Middle Ages. It is one of the main weapons shown on the Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, and was a typical weapon of the Varangian Guard of the Byzantine emperors. By lengthening the shaft and adding a spike at the top and on the back, it later developed into the poleaxe, the halberd and similar polearms.

Martial arts that use it

Seen in traditional practice, historical reenactment and demonstrations; no art page on WABUKAN yet.

Construction

Most heads are Petersen types L or M: a wide, thin blade with pronounced "horns" at toe and heel and a cutting edge of 20–30 cm. The blade could be as thin as 2 mm behind the edge, often with a harder, higher-carbon steel bit. The head weighed 1–2 kg; combat hafts were about 0.9–1.2 m, while status axes reached 1.5–1.7 m and might carry silver inlay.

Basic techniques

Training

Axe training starts with grip, stance and footwork, then the basic cutting lines practised slowly in the air or on a padded target with a wooden or rubber trainer. The hooking and blocking uses of the head and the haft come next, in paired drills at controlled speed.

Safety

Use wooden or rubber trainers for partner work and keep live axes for solo cutting under supervision. Check that the head sits tight on the haft before every session, keep a clear space of at least two weapon lengths and never swing towards people.

Legality (general information)

Swords, knives and other edged weapons are regulated very differently from country to country (and sometimes from region to region): owning one at home is often allowed, while carrying it in public, buying it under a certain age or importing it may be restricted or banned. Practitioners usually transport them cased, out of reach and straight between home and dojo. This is general information, not legal advice: check the law where you live.

Did you know?

In proportion, the Dane axe has more in common with a modern meat cleaver than with a wood axe: light and thin, it was made for cutting, not splitting.

More weapons

Tomahawk Tabar (tabarzin) Shepherd’s axe (valaška)

Sources

Original WABUKAN text, written from these cross-checked sources (facts, not sentences).

  1. Wikipedia — Dane axe
  2. Wikipedia — Bayeux Tapestry