A question about the pole-axe...

[Kevin Peterson]

I was watching a show on medieval weaponry. They covered a lot of history and how they were used. I noticed that when they showed different pole-axes, that there were some sort of cutout or even a pattern of holes in the axe blade. Is there a reason for these or are they just decorative? They also showed some flanged maces that had the same thing in them. If this one of those questions that everyone knows the answer to but me, forgive the question. But I was curious. Thanks.

Kevin Peterson
ARMA-Appleton

[Stacy Clifford]

Probably to lighten the head for maneuverability and to keep the user from getting quite so tired. In crushing/chopping weapons, it's more important how the mass is distributed than how heavy the thing actually is. As long as there's enough weight at the end to deliver a solid blow (harder than an equally weighted sword would), it doesn't have to feel like a sledgehammer, and it loses defensive value if it's too unwieldy.

[Jeffrey Hull]

Perforations for lightening the weight makes so much sense, that I am embarrassed I did not realise that until now.

<img src="/forum/images/icons/crazy.gif" alt="" />

[Aaron Pynenberg]

I agree completely, but sometimes I wonder about this: It just looks cool- If you ask me having a cool lokking weapon, especially in those days, when image was so important, (just as it is today to a lesser extent) that the weapon had to look cool to it's owner- I know that kind of consideration is still somewhat important to me as long as the weapon functions, but who wants a dull looking implement of death- not me!- Aaron

[Kevin Peterson]

Weight reduction was my first thought, but I wondered about how much they would reduce the strength of the flanges. I mean they were used against armor, and I can't see someone pulling up on a strike because they may break the thing. I wonder if there was any consideration given to reducing wind resistance thus generating more punch to the strike. Just wondering out loud...

Kevin

[Stacy Clifford]

I think looking cool pretty much goes without saying in any age. <img src="/forum/images/icons/cool.gif" alt="" /> As for weakening the weapon, that would depend on the size, shape and location of the holes, but I doubt the smiths would do anything that would seriously compromise the functionality. That's too good a way to lose repeat customers.

[Risto Rautiainen]

IIRC the holes which are made of three "overlapping" holes are supposed to represent the holy trinity. Just my two squirrel pelts..

[Casper Bradak]

The ones I've seen, the perforations take out a very small amount of material, and any reduction in weight would be a side benefit, the primary reason most likely being decorative (and often in symbolic patterns).
Also, at least on the ones I've seen, they wouldn't weaken the weapons in the slightest.

[Jeffrey Hull]

I would suppose as already suggested that the "wiffling" of air-flow would help lessen drag in the turning and recovery of the weapon at certain times.

[Joachim Nilsson]

I agree with Casper.