Pole Axe

  • Polearms & Spear
  • 1 min

By Crusader1307

Another very common (and widely recognized) weapon of the Middle Ages. In essence, the Pole Axe was an axe head mounted on a Pole Arm. It is often mistaken for other members of the Halberd family. Developed during the 14th/15th Centuries, it was needed as way to inflict damage to armor. Instead of a sharpened spike top, a smaller blunter spike top was added to the top of the axe head. A smaller axe head, it was thought that this  would impart greater kinetic energy when struck against it's target. The axe head was forged as one piece. Installed on a staff or pole ranging from 5 to 8 feet long, some varieties could be as long as 10 feet. Training centered around standard Quarterstaff tactics. The Pole Axe is also a common feature on many family crests (to denote military linage).