You know, the usual depiction of how axes are used in battle has them as this graceless, brutal weapon that gets swung madly and violently. But here we see they are surprisingly graceful. The spinning and arcing of the blade and haft and how they are used to deflect and counter makes the sparring as interesting as any sword duel. I've been doing research on how to depict weapon combat with things that aren't swords, and this is really intriguing.
It is the great lie of axe. It looks clumsy and swung madly and violently. But actually lighter and as nimble as sword. Once an enemy get into this trap(and lose a leg) - it is time to swung madly and violently, because axe can do that too. Next enemy see this and think axe are clumsy....
"left hand pulls, right hand pushes" AMAZING WORDING SIR thank you ive been trying to explain to my friend how Axe users have that "Snap Strike" as she worded it and by using that working she realized that unlike swords who by cutting your draw through your strike with the Axe fundamentally were hitting flesh like wood XD but instead more technique goes into it lmfao
I like the long graceful swings that you depict. But I notice the axes are mostly held back, giving little defensive value. Often your bigger swings expose you both to "double-kills". Perhaps combine more thrusts and minor swings? The axe can also parry and deflect more, (used like a Halberd)? These axes were very sharp, so small swings will cut flesh, bone, and leather. I've seen effective light cuts achieved by a crank-like counter-rotation of the hands. Strikes to mail might require bigger swings for concussive damage, but also risk breaking the blade's edge on steel helms, bosses, or getting stuck in shields.
I have a very nice and light weight Dane Axe. And this video has taught me quite a bit about how to use it, if I ever have too. Mine has a very nice "Beak" for thrusting. And I do know, when things get close. Choke up on the head, make small attacks. Also using the Axe for a blunt force attack is good. Not to mention a butt stroke with the base of the handle. Axes are brutal, and you need to be strong, but watching these two spar, really brings home how a Dane Axe is supposed to be used.
Lovely stuff as always. I really need to find some time to get to an event your at. Our group have musters that youd happily attend but we are midlands based so is a fair treck. I am currently working on stuff myself with dane work and appears we are coming to some of the same conclusions, ao would love a play sometime and compare notes as it were.
Do you also train with a metal headed Broadaxe? From training with mine (ca. 120cm haft 1350gr weight) i made the conclusion that the only way of defense with these against each other is evasion by going out of distance. They have so much inertia that i am very sure that such small beats and displacements as in the video wouldnt work against a full force blow and blocking downward vertical strikes with the haft would also require a lot of force or else the arms of the defender collapse and the axe head reaches the head.
I can see where you are coming from. But not every swing or stab is going to be Full force so the beats are an effective way to deal with "Some" attacks. The shafts are full weight. Plus the weight of the heads we are using are roughly correct maybe a little bit lighter. So they arnt too far from reality. Enough to get a decent idea.
The reason why Dane axes are used left handed is that the blows would ideally land on right (i.e the sword arm) of your enemy, fighting a left handed boxer is completely different.
@@christopherquinn5899 agreed, using the axe left handed works very well at cutting around the shield into the sword arm/ hand of your opponent if they get lazy and dont protect it. the techniques are exactly the same, just mirrored on the other side
The two handed stuff looks great, the one handed stuff, Is completely ignorant of the load you feel when you actually strike or miss-trike a shield or armour, How does your wrist handle this flippy floppy one handed swinging stuff when you presumably connect the axe head with 100kg+ force? My reference here is boxing, Its like throwing a big floppy hook, Looks great , until you connect it and use your arm length of leverage against your shoulder joint. If I saw someone swinging one handed like that I would stomp my shield down right on top of his axe and take it from him or perform a securely held two handed swing to knock it out of his weak one hand grip. Literally just shunting your shield strongly into a one handed swing would completely upset the attacker momentum and allow a counter.
Its a technique called a gayszlen, sometimes known as a release or whip cut. Its a cut that targets the lead leg from a safe measure and is quite difficult to deal with as the momentum carries the axe through and you can reset before your opponent has the chance to respond. When done at full speed and power, the impact is absolutely devastating, we are NOT doing these cuts at high speed, even with all the protective gear, you can get seriously injured, so caution has to be taken. In essence, what you are doing is throwing the weapon as fast and as hard as you can, and all your left hand is doing is retaining it, the axe is doing all the work. The forces at play are completely different to a boxing hook. As for shields and armour, in this video there isn't any, but just like any martial art you adjust your technique to deal with the challenge in front of you. If my opponent has plate leg armour obviously I'm not going to use a gayzlen cut as it will bounce right off and leave me totally open to a counter. If my opponent uses the shield to block leg cuts (which is a really bad idea) then I feint low and and redirect my light and fast weapon into their face while they struggle to raise their heavy shield to cover that line in time. As a boxer you'll know that all your techniques are a tool set to be used in the right moment and there is no master strike that defeats everything and has no counter.
@@SpearEnjoyer Throwing something loosely held , its force can only be a function of its weight and speed (much like a very bad boxing hook that doesn't align skeleton to transfer all the bodies momentum) which can be misdirected through deflection. The misdirected force can be unbalancing I thought. I guess I'm picturing large shields, my Targe wouldn't be long enough. Throwing it with more power would amplify those risks right? In a non linear way. 20% more power and speed is going to be more then 20% harder to control, that why your using sparring speed/strength right (some exceptions, some things im sure are easier at full speed like boxing). I'm sure it had its place but I still think that one handed stuff is super telegraphed and risky to the attacker. It reminds me of TKD spin kicks. And has a TKD spin kick explanation as to why it works :D , But I guess I have NFI and I would suggest anyone who hasn't fought to the death with an axe probably doesn't either at least how effective that one cut would be. Thanks for the chat!
You know, the usual depiction of how axes are used in battle has them as this graceless, brutal weapon that gets swung madly and violently. But here we see they are surprisingly graceful. The spinning and arcing of the blade and haft and how they are used to deflect and counter makes the sparring as interesting as any sword duel. I've been doing research on how to depict weapon combat with things that aren't swords, and this is really intriguing.
It is without a doubt my favourite weapon to train with. I imagine once we have better gauntlets and ankle protection we will get back to it
@@TheWelshRaider for ankle I think a motocross boot that restrict the side to side with maybe some rigid plates are enough.
@@jlGenozzV aye may be worth a go
It is the great lie of axe. It looks clumsy and swung madly and violently. But actually lighter and as nimble as sword. Once an enemy get into this trap(and lose a leg) - it is time to swung madly and violently, because axe can do that too. Next enemy see this and think axe are clumsy....
"left hand pulls, right hand pushes" AMAZING WORDING SIR thank you ive been trying to explain to my friend how Axe users have that "Snap Strike" as she worded it and by using that working she realized that unlike swords who by cutting your draw through your strike with the Axe fundamentally were hitting flesh like wood XD but instead more technique goes into it lmfao
That would be fun. I wish I could have done this when I was young enough and healthy enough to enjoy it.
Hey out of curiosity. . .where do you guys buy replacement handles? Sweet video by the way I learned a lot by watching
I like the MC Hammer pants! Can't touch this!!
I like the long graceful swings that you depict. But I notice the axes are mostly held back, giving little defensive value. Often your bigger swings expose you both to "double-kills". Perhaps combine more thrusts and minor swings? The axe can also parry and deflect more, (used like a Halberd)? These axes were very sharp, so small swings will cut flesh, bone, and leather. I've seen effective light cuts achieved by a crank-like counter-rotation of the hands. Strikes to mail might require bigger swings for concussive damage, but also risk breaking the blade's edge on steel helms, bosses, or getting stuck in shields.
I wish more people did this!
Very interesting to watch
Really excellent video, thank you!
Wow these moves are so beautiful! I love how deceptively simple they seem to appear but the art to wielding it has quite the depth.
Very good indeed
Wow very nice.
I have a very nice and light weight Dane Axe. And this video has taught me quite a bit about how to use it, if I ever have too. Mine has a very nice "Beak" for thrusting. And I do know, when things get close. Choke up on the head, make small attacks. Also using the Axe for a blunt force attack is good. Not to mention a butt stroke with the base of the handle. Axes are brutal, and you need to be strong, but watching these two spar, really brings home how a Dane Axe is supposed to be used.
Fantastic video you guys thank you
Nice work indeed. Thank you.
Lovely stuff as always. I really need to find some time to get to an event your at. Our group have musters that youd happily attend but we are midlands based so is a fair treck. I am currently working on stuff myself with dane work and appears we are coming to some of the same conclusions, ao would love a play sometime and compare notes as it were.
You use it basically a halberd, but withouth the hook and the spear point. Seems apropriate and useful, nice video mate
Do you also train with a metal headed Broadaxe? From training with mine (ca. 120cm haft 1350gr weight) i made the conclusion that the only way of defense with these against each other is evasion by going out of distance. They have so much inertia that i am very sure that such small beats and displacements as in the video wouldnt work against a full force blow and blocking downward vertical strikes with the haft would also require a lot of force or else the arms of the defender collapse and the axe head reaches the head.
I can see where you are coming from. But not every swing or stab is going to be Full force so the beats are an effective way to deal with "Some" attacks. The shafts are full weight. Plus the weight of the heads we are using are roughly correct maybe a little bit lighter. So they arnt too far from reality. Enough to get a decent idea.
I wouldn't for example try to beat a blow that's going full force at my head you'd definitely have to move out of the way of that 😂
The reason why Dane axes are used left handed is that the blows would ideally land on right (i.e the sword arm) of your enemy, fighting a left handed boxer is completely different.
switching hands mid fight is a great way to throw off your opponent
How long are the Axe Shafts you are using?
They are to the users chin from the floor
@@TheWelshRaider thanks.
Viking: "Come here so I can stab you."
Danish wayfarer: "See how cool my axehead is.."
Is this HEMA?
Sort of.. some traditionalists would argue that it isn't based on written sources and therefore isn't technically 'HEMA'
@@SpearEnjoyerI’d say it’s HEMA, as it meets the name criteria of being Historical, European and a Martial Art
Looks like a halberd is basically a Dane axe with a spear point, best of both worlds.
A spear you can chop with 😍
I thought they were used left hand on top in order to avoid the opponent’s shield.
Use them however you want, if it works then do it ;)
@@SpearEnjoyerRight hand on top would come more naturally to me, but the Bayeux Tapestry appears to show a majority using it the other way.
@@christopherquinn5899 agreed, using the axe left handed works very well at cutting around the shield into the sword arm/ hand of your opponent if they get lazy and dont protect it. the techniques are exactly the same, just mirrored on the other side
The two handed stuff looks great, the one handed stuff, Is completely ignorant of the load you feel when you actually strike or miss-trike a shield or armour, How does your wrist handle this flippy floppy one handed swinging stuff when you presumably connect the axe head with 100kg+ force? My reference here is boxing, Its like throwing a big floppy hook, Looks great , until you connect it and use your arm length of leverage against your shoulder joint. If I saw someone swinging one handed like that I would stomp my shield down right on top of his axe and take it from him or perform a securely held two handed swing to knock it out of his weak one hand grip. Literally just shunting your shield strongly into a one handed swing would completely upset the attacker momentum and allow a counter.
Its a technique called a gayszlen, sometimes known as a release or whip cut. Its a cut that targets the lead leg from a safe measure and is quite difficult to deal with as the momentum carries the axe through and you can reset before your opponent has the chance to respond.
When done at full speed and power, the impact is absolutely devastating, we are NOT doing these cuts at high speed, even with all the protective gear, you can get seriously injured, so caution has to be taken.
In essence, what you are doing is throwing the weapon as fast and as hard as you can, and all your left hand is doing is retaining it, the axe is doing all the work. The forces at play are completely different to a boxing hook.
As for shields and armour, in this video there isn't any, but just like any martial art you adjust your technique to deal with the challenge in front of you. If my opponent has plate leg armour obviously I'm not going to use a gayzlen cut as it will bounce right off and leave me totally open to a counter. If my opponent uses the shield to block leg cuts (which is a really bad idea) then I feint low and and redirect my light and fast weapon into their face while they struggle to raise their heavy shield to cover that line in time. As a boxer you'll know that all your techniques are a tool set to be used in the right moment and there is no master strike that defeats everything and has no counter.
@@SpearEnjoyer Throwing something loosely held , its force can only be a function of its weight and speed (much like a very bad boxing hook that doesn't align skeleton to transfer all the bodies momentum) which can be misdirected through deflection. The misdirected force can be unbalancing I thought. I guess I'm picturing large shields, my Targe wouldn't be long enough. Throwing it with more power would amplify those risks right? In a non linear way. 20% more power and speed is going to be more then 20% harder to control, that why your using sparring speed/strength right (some exceptions, some things im sure are easier at full speed like boxing). I'm sure it had its place but I still think that one handed stuff is super telegraphed and risky to the attacker. It reminds me of TKD spin kicks. And has a TKD spin kick explanation as to why it works :D , But I guess I have NFI and I would suggest anyone who hasn't fought to the death with an axe probably doesn't either at least how effective that one cut would be. Thanks for the chat!
@@mtbtrailshredder You've given me an idea for a video, I think some test cutting is in order ;)
@@SpearEnjoyer I hope the target is mobile like legs are , great idea.