[PAC 762]

I am searching for a usable, two-handed battle axe. I have absolutely no respectable reason to own one other than a passion for destroying stuff. I had a nice all steal home-made job I got off ebay years ago, but it lost its last battle with a television and is now in valhalla.

I like the old medieval looking ones, but they all seem to be fragile junk.

I really like the SOG Tactical tomahawk, but it is too short. I want something with some weigth behind it that I can really chop with.

Any body have any ideas?

[PAC 762]

This is great, but no prices and out-of-date webpage: http://www.rmjforge.com/crash_axe.htm

[kid_couteau]

You wanna battle axe get married

Later
Kid

[markk]

http://www.coldsteel.com/89pa.html

[hso]

Cas Iberia for under $100.
http://www.casiberia.com/casiberia/cas/images/products/XH2099N.jpg

[nwilliams]

Also check out the ones on this site:
www.museumreplicas.com/webstore/eCat/all_other_edged_weapons.aspx

They make really good stuff for decent prices. I've never owned any of their axes but I own a few of their swords, good stuff.

If you really want to smash some stuff up check out the Maces and War Hammers:D

[Gordon]

Little more pricey, but beautiful;

http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bin/tacticalubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=001780#000003

[Avenger29]

I'll take one of these (http://www.museumreplicas.com/webstore/eCat/swords_and_knive/historical/spears_and_polearms/pole_axe.aspx).

[Silvanus]

I would recommend a nice Gränsfors Bruks Axe. You can get medievel battle axes with one blade or the big double-bladed one, which is also useful for throwing.

http://www.feinewerkzeuge.de/grans.htm

[spyderdude]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/spyderdude18/HerosAxe.jpg

I have this one. It's called The Hero's Axe.

[kellyj00]

find a guy with a forge and make your own?

Axes are fairly simple to forge. You'll need a blank of low-carbon steel that'll have enough steel to be as big as you need (remember, you're going to expand by hammering it out) and just start working a shaper into the center of the piece, then start drawing out the steel. This really won't take that long.

Annealing/quenching it until it's perfect, that'll take you forever. Also, get a nice axe handle made of ash (or even a dowel rod, if you're into that) and get a shaper about the right size, insert the dowel rod while the steel is orange hot, as steel shrinks when it's cool. Do the final quenching in oil so it won't affect the hardness that much. Drive a wedge into the wood to expand it for a firm grip, wrap leather around the handle and you've got yourself a primative axe.

I'll stick to my 12 ga.

[HiWayMan]

I prefer the old standby double bit from the local farm store for getting "medieval" on someone's a$$.

[bobs1066]

I had one of these in the back of the car until the car burned up & melted it.

http://www.thefirestore.com/store/product.cfm?pID=752

I regret now that I didn't dig out the axe head & rehandle it.

[loandr.]

Get ahold of John Gonzalez or Ted Fizzell of MMHW and dont look back :-)

[Browning]

This should satisfy your thirst for a weapon worthy of Vahalla.

www.coldsteel.com/92bx.html

Cold Steel makes it, supposedly it's of pretty good quality.

Looks perfect for bashing in another TV to me. :evil:

Hopefully it's one of those old wood paneled TV's rather than a new plasma.

But maybe you've got more money than I do.

[PAC 762]

Thanks for all of the replies! I'm jumping on that close-out $29 cold steal pole axe then will decide which nicer one to get.

[Cosmoline]

The axe masters at Gransfors Bruks make limited edition battle axes based on ancient relics. I've seen a few in the flesh, and they're awesome. Bruks in general makes fantastic working axes. I have one of their felling axes and love it. These are not just wall hangers, they're made from highest quality Swedish steel. This is Lars Enander's contribution:

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5504

Price is high, but these are the hanzo razors of axes.

[CA357]

Ya gotta get a horse to swing it from.

[The Canuck]

You want to talk to these guys (http://www.lutel.cz/). Thier stuff is basically faithful reproduction of stuff that was used back in the day. Go through the catalogue until you find Catologue #20012. :)

[Milkmaster]

In the words of many a comic over the years...

"Take my wife...PLEASE!"

[geim druth]

Try this;

http://www.armor.com/pole104.html

I'm very happy with mine

[ClarkEMyers]

Jeff Cooper did an illustrated article on the modern technique of the battle ax but I don't remember where it appeared - maybe Soldier of Fortune? He emphasized thrusting with the tips of the outboard wings like a polearm/pike generally and hooking with the beard as well as chopping.

[Silvanus]

I don't know what exactly you want to do with the axe, but if you just want to destroy things (like bashing a TV :D) I would think about a good mace. They are more durable and you won't ruin a fine blade when you hit harder things.

[AugustusMcCrae]

I just happen to be selling a battle axe:) .

Look at the last link in my signature to see photo's & prices.

[PAC 762]

Jeff Cooper did an illustrated article on the modern technique of the battle ax but I don't remember where it appeared - maybe Soldier of Fortune? He emphasized thrusting with the tips of the outboard wings like a polearm/pike generally and hooking with the beard as well as chopping.

"Secrets of Modern Battle-Axe Fighting," Soldier of Fortune, April 1979

Found several references, but no full article.

[sonofodin]

The Thor's Hammer around my neck right now says find the biggest, heftiest, sharpest one you can and then go a'pillagin with me :evil:

[joshk-k]

"http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/i...OD&ProdID=5504"

HA! That's the hardware store just around the corner from where I grew up! It's one of the premier woodworking stores in the world.

I have a Gransfors Bruks hatchet that I bought there, and I was going to make the same brand recommendation. Highland Hardware carries nearly the whole line, and I've handled all of them in the store (because they are totally lovely to touch and heft). The battle axes and large throwing axes look like phenomenal tools, and as the owner of another GB product, I can attest to the quality. The company has only 6 or 8 blacksmiths, and the one who makes your axe stamps his initials on the butt. There's a lifetime guarantee, and the individual who's initials are on it replaces it out of his pocket.

Highland Hardware's prices are a bit high, and with some looking you could probably find a better price. That said, it's an old-school, locally-owned, specialty hardware store in a world being fast over-run with Home Depots, and needs your financial support in the same way that independent gun stores do to survive.

Go for the Gransfors Bruks! You won't regret it!

-Josh