War Hatchet / Axe

Many kinds of weapons played significant and important roles on the medieval battlefield. Some weapons were created as special purpose martial and military appliances, while others evolved from the tools people tended to have at hand for times of need. Inevitably, some tools became popular as weapons and spawned new versions of themselves dedicated to fighting and warfare. One tool that often found its way onto the field of battle, and then spawned specialized fighting versions, was the axe. Using the axe as a weapon is compelling for many reasons. Most people were, and still are, familiar with axes.

The basic use of an axe is immediately evident upon grasping it, and even an unskilled axe wielder can still deliver a very powerful blow with an axe since it efficiently concentrates force at the end of the lever. It is also generally accepted that axes are easier and cheaper to produce than swords, and they can also be produced in volume by less skilled craftsmen. A hatchet (from the Old French hachete, a diminutive form of hache, 'axe' of Germanic origin) is a single-handed striking tool, typically with less curvature on the blade. This War Hatchet is an agile single-handed weapon. Its fairly light weight makes it quick in the hand and easy to throw. I have also discovered that this axe is a capable wood chopper! Functionally, it feels and performs like a camp axe in this application. The edge has held well through all my use. Thus far the haft of the axe has also remained tightly attached to the axe head; a definite plus. Due to its size and weight, the War Hatchet is not a weapon I can envision sundering a shield, but does concentrate quite a bit of punch. It lacks the awful (unauthentic) glossy black head and wide silver blade band, that make other similar reproduction axes look like modern shed tools; instead its surface is wonderfully gnarled and pitted, making it look as if it was forged in Scandinavia a thousand years ago.

As used in the 2014 V Energy Drink TV ad series.

Measurements and Specifications:

• Weight: 0.724 Kilos.
• Overall Length: 51.5 cm.
• Head Length: 16 cm.
• Head Height: 12 cm.

As used in the 2014 V Energy Drink Commercial.