Two-Handed Axe Length & Axe Head Question.

[Thorsteinn Raudskeggr]

I'm making a Dane/Two-Handed Axe out of a glaive that just didn't work and I have a few questions:

#1) What is a good length for this use if it is intended for single combat and melee use that is still within the historic range? For reference I am 6' tall and have short arms (reach is only 5'9" finger tip to finger tip).

#2) What is a method to make a good axe head on the cheap? Time is not a factor.

-Ivan

[muttman]

Sir Vitus has a tutorial on here in Combat and weapons that looks to be outstanding. Reviews from people that have gotten his axes are glowing.
Drefan

[eidelon]

true but it is by no means a cheap way to make one danish axe. the cost of the leather as it is sold by the hide is about 100 bucks. for a cheap one walmart sells yoga blocks 2 for 9 $. carve your head out of that and then use halved stick of rattan for the clacker. i would suggest about 5 feet for the over all length. if you happen to have some leather 8 to 12 oz leather around cut out the blade with that and use that to strengthen it like this

[muttman]

Ah. I hadn't priced the leather yet. That makes a difference then. Also, I agree- about five feet seems to work for me too

[Ulrich Halfdan Ulfsson]

I use my Daneaxe almost exclusively in melee and I love it. I am 6'1" with 76" reach and the axe I use is about 5'9" and it works well for me with the addition of the butt spike since I have no thrusting on the axehead. I used the archetectual foam that By My Hand sells and cut my own head shapes, keeps the price down.

[Vilhelm550]

I also used a cut-down By My Hand axehead on a 54 inch haft. Buttspike, backspike, topspike. I plan to make another one about the same dimensions with a Vitus-Type axehead, sans topspike, buttspike and backspike, shaped and stained haft, for a more accurate appearance.

I've used it in single engagements, and melees. Makes a great shieldwall can-opener.

[Corby de la Flamme]

axes are fun fun fun, but for open field or skirmish front melees I find any polearm under 7'6" to be at a disadvantage. If spears are in your opponent mix, you're just too far out of range to get anything done. Recently, I've started experimenting with shorter weapons for tourney fights, and having a lot of fun with them.

Now for castle battles, static bridges and the like, shorter is fine.

I think about 6' is the max historically. I don't ever recall seeing a picture of an early 2 handed axe that was taller than its user.

[Thorvald Weretiger]

Im 5'6" and the Dane axe I use is right around 5'. Was originally war pay but had to rebuild the head after it popped off at practice. I use it both in tournaments and melee. I team up with a spear guy in melee and hook any spear that comes near him. Catch the spear right behind the head and lean back, opens the other spear guy right up.

[Christophe de Frisselle]

My leather axe I made a few years ago.

viewtopic.php?t=63017

Currently it is on a 5 foot haft.