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Augusto Boer Bront
Industry Professional



Location: Cividale del Friuli (UD) Italy
Joined: 12 Nov 2009

Posts: 294

PostPosted: Wed 21 Jul, 2010 4:27 am    Post subject: Wood used in weapons         Reply with quote

I own a battle axe and it's pole is mado of beech.
I was wondering if this type of wood is suitable for combact and if it's enought resistant.

Regards

Augusto
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Bjorn Hagstrom




Location: Höör, Skane
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Likes: 1 page
Reading list: 8 books

Posts: 355

PostPosted: Wed 21 Jul, 2010 5:14 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

The requirements of the wood used for any tool is that it is straight, not too soft or prone to splinter and dimensionally stable
Classic north european woods used for tools that fit the bill would be:

Ash
Oak
Beech
Elm
Maple
Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia)

So Beech should be fine. Will it be resistant enough? Well, unless you plan on having anyone chopping at it with other sharp weapons, yes. But I really do suggest that you do some research in your local area, there should be some specimen of tree that is suitable and add local flavor to your equipment.

Otherwise, langettes makes polearms look really good Happy

There is nothing quite as sad as a one man conga-line...
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Augusto Boer Bront
Industry Professional



Location: Cividale del Friuli (UD) Italy
Joined: 12 Nov 2009

Posts: 294

PostPosted: Wed 21 Jul, 2010 5:29 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Oh perfect!!
Yes, in my area (North Italy, Friuli) there are woods of beech, so it's even historically correct.
Edit: saying unless chopping others that have sharp weapons do you mean thet the wood could be cut by these weapons? (if yes I don't bother so much because I think that any other type of wood would be cut by a sharp weapon)
Nah, langettes suits better on a pollaxe than on my axe

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Bjorn Hagstrom




Location: Höör, Skane
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Likes: 1 page
Reading list: 8 books

Posts: 355

PostPosted: Wed 21 Jul, 2010 6:20 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Well, its a broad issue really.
Quite naturally, the weak point of any wood hafted weapon in combat would be to have it chopped in half. But if it had been a major problem we would have seen langetes evolve way earlier than they did. Axes with plain wood handles where good from time immemorial to at least 15th century. It seems to me that the appearance of langets and rondels and such coincides with the decline of the shield, but it would be a huge over-simplification to suggest a direct link between those two phenomena.

On a more practical note, if you are using that axe for show-fight or blunt sparring, it will eventually wear out. And look out for dents and splinters that might come loose after some use when it get hit by opponents weapons. A good idea is to periodically sand it smooth and give it a rub of oil or wax to keep it smooth. Especially annoying to fight safely but get a splinter under the nails when packing up the stuff afterwards when the gauntlets are off...

There is nothing quite as sad as a one man conga-line...
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