Battle AxesCertainly the current interest in the martial axe results more from the virtual worlds of video gaming than a curiosity about history. Though the axe played an important role on ancient battlefields, only the smaller styles still find official use by the military. In fact, many of the combat applications once used by Americans who carried tomahawks into battle are now lost. To find axe techniques, students of that old skill now go to the few Asian martial routines based on this heavy blade.

Combat axes evolved into specialty blades designed for nothing else but combat and were often combined with spears to add chopping attacks to the long range thrust of the pike. The oldest combat axes served dual purposes as tools for woodsmen and farmers — broad axes in particular, designed for hewing round logs into squared timbers, often went to war virtually unchanged.

For mayhem, the axe evolved in many directions, from heavy double axes with crescent blades to battleaxes with blades for chopping and slashing and spiked pommels for driving holes through armor plate. Today’s combat tomahawk, used by special forces soldiers, copies that old form in a smaller design useful both for fighting and for camp chores. Many good reproductions of battleaxes are still available and popular with collectors as well as martial artists.

Some of Our Favorites

A great display piece for the wall but also a fully functional combat axe, the Hero’s Axe by Paul Chen recreates the battle axe of ancient Japan.

A recreation of an old Danish war axe, Paul Chen’s Danish Battle Axe shows the transition from farm tool to weapon.

From the other end of history, SOG’s Fusion Tactical Tomahawk reworks the Special Forces axe and does it right.

See All of Our Battle Axe Reviews Below


Battle Axes

Mythos Fantasy Battle Axe by Paul Elhers | Includes Dragon Sculpture Art Stand, Collector Certificate

The Mythos Fantasy Axe by Paul Elhers is much more sculpture than knife. Produced by Fantasy Master, this ten-pound replica piece...
JT Hats
1 min read

Lord Of the Rings Gimli Battle Axe by United Cutlery | LOTR Collectible Fantasy Replica

A faithful reproduction of one of the main weapons wielded by Gimli son of Gloin in the movie version of The...
JT Hats
1 min read

Cold Steel War Hammer, Forged High Carbon Steel | Medieval Battle Ready Replica Weapon

Although this modern version of the war hammer — a weapon which brought down many armored knights on the battlefields of...
JT Hats
1 min read

Fantasy Battle Axe Display, Alien Warrior | Dagger w/ High Carbon Stainless Steel Blade

I like this surrealistic Fantasy Battle Axe and Dagger combination, since it’s definitely one of the more unusual fantasy weapons of...
JT Hats
1 min read

Fantasy Pirate Battle Axe Twin Blades w/ Display Plaque | General Edge Skeleton Chaser

The Skeleton Chaser Fantasy Axe from General Edge could have dropped from the hands of a fallen orc warrior. Though the...
JT Hats
52 sec read

Medieval War Hammer Replica | Armor Piercing Weapon | High Carbon Stainless Steel

This surprisingly well-made replica war hammer copies an old medieval battle hammer used against heavily armoured knights and their war horses....
JT Hats
1 min read

Nemesis Battle Axe | Battle Ready Martial Arts Weapons | Forged Carbon Steel

The Nemesis Battle Axe, sold as a fully functional battle weapon, does outclass most other modern martial arts axes. Many of...
JT Hats
1 min read

Paul Chen Hanwei Danish Battle Axe | Medieval Weapon Review

Medieval weaponry history tells us that the Danish axe surfaced somewhere between the reign of the Vikings and the Middle Ages....
Ken
42 sec read

Paul Chen Hanwei Hero’s Axe | Japanese Samurai Weapon Review

Here’s the original Hero’s Axe, not the antiqued version, by Hanwei designer Paul Chen. This original model is beautifully embellished and...
Ken
48 sec read

Paul Chen Hanwei Naginata Battle Axe | Medieval Japanese Sword

The naginata is quite an important weapon in the field of martial arts. It’s identified by a curved blade, a long...
Ken
44 sec read

United Cutlery Kit Rae Black Legion Battle Axe | Fantasy Battleaxe

In the Black Legion, the fiercest warriors were the Barumen Axemen of Lokonia. The Axemen wore heavy armor of steel and...
Ken
26 sec read

Case Avenger Battle Axe from Valiant Armoury | Medieval Battleaxe

Valiant Armoury is known for producing real swords that are faithful to traditional designs while incorporating the newest and best materials....
Ken
27 sec read