Bardiche in SCA combat

[Sigismund von Helfenstein]

This weapon recently found its way to me through a local laurel. It had been sitting in his garage for some time after being made, used once at war, and then retired.

14th century personae using 15th century weapons aside, has anyone ever used a bardiche or long poleaxe like this for SCA fighting?



EDIT: To clarify, I am wondering what sets these weapons apart from their earlier cousins. Curious about how someone would have fought with them in period, and what kinds of techniques crossover into SCA and which do not translate well. Hoping for a perspective from someone who has used a large crescent bladed axe like this before.

DOUBLE EDIT: Techniques NOT including using it as a musket rest

[Baron Alcyoneus]

Yes, plenty of people have. It is just a style of axe.

[Sigismund von Helfenstein]

Yes, plenty of people have. It is just a style of axe.

Well... yeah I assumed it would work much like every other weapon on the planet that utilizes an axe blade. I was wondering if there was anything about this design that differed from using something like a dane axe or other weapon of similar size.

[Thomas MacFinn]

So the real question is, "Why do those who fight with a bardiche prefer it over other types of axe". Right?

[Gaston de Clermont]

It gives good reach for its mass, so it can be faster than other axes, depending on the construction. I kind of like the rubber axe heads, but they're heavy enough that they'll slow your shot some. This bardiche doesn't have that issue, nor is it hitting with a soft foam or rubber edge, which many folks have trouble calling as good. The biggest advantage of a bardiche is the ability to grab the haft inside the blade and throw a right cross. It's not something I've utilized often because you have to commit your hand to that spot and it's sort of slow and obvious what you're going to do, but it's sort of a terror tactic. It's fun to watch your opponent's eyes get big when you slip on a 5 foot long brass knuckle.

[Sigismund von Helfenstein]

So the real question is, "Why do those who fight with a bardiche prefer it over other types of axe". Right?

Yes, thank you.

The question forming portion of my brain appears to be malfunctioning this morning.

It gives good reach for its mass, so it can be faster than other axes, depending on the construction. I kind of like the rubber axe heads, but they're heavy enough that they'll slow your shot some. This bardiche doesn't have that issue, nor is it hitting with a soft foam or rubber edge, which many folks have trouble calling as good. The biggest advantage of a bardiche is the ability to grab the haft inside the blade and throw a right cross. It's not something I've utilized often because you have to commit your hand to that spot and it's sort of slow and obvious what you're going to do, but it's sort of a terror tactic. It's fun to watch your opponent's eyes get big when you slip on a 5 foot long brass knuckle.

I think I see what you mean, gripping the portion of the haft between the two connection points and then throwing a shot like a punch?

I think I need to shorten the haft. It's about 6' long right now and it looks like most period long poleaxes were 5' or shorter in haft.

[Gaston de Clermont]

Yeah, it's very much like a punch. I'm honestly not sure what haft lengths were typical. Many of the poles in modern collections have been rehafted, so it's hard to determine what the originals were like. We get glimpses from manuscripts, but the statistics on them seem limited.

[Sigismund von Helfenstein]

Yeah, it's very much like a punch. I'm honestly not sure what haft lengths were typical. Many of the poles in modern collections have been rehafted, so it's hard to determine what the originals were like. We get glimpses from manuscripts, but the statistics on them seem limited.

Would it be reasonable to expect to see a butt-spike on a weapon like this, do you think?

I ask because at 6', bringing the butt of the weapon to bear is a pain, but at a shorter length it would become possible.

[Thomas MacFinn]

First time you grab the weapon by the head and your opponent steps back, you will be glad that butt spike is there - flip out the bottom for a quick one handed jab at his breadbasket or thigh.

[Thomas MacFinn]

This, of course, requires practice to do accurately ... as my too often misses can attest.

[Therion]

I think I need to shorten the haft. It's about 6' long right now and it looks like most period long poleaxes were 5' or shorter in haft.

Bardiche were short - as was noted above, their primary usage was as a combination musket-rest and backup weapon.

I too always thought bardiche were long polearms, and still have one (steel) that I made 7' overall. It's so impressive that I haven't cut it down shorter, even though I know in my heart that shortening it is the right thing to do ...

[Benedek]

I'll be working one of these up in the next couple of weeks. I've wanted to make an SCA legal one for a while. I'd imagine it would fight fairly similarly to a large axe.

Even if I suck with it, I'll still enjoy it. It is truly one of the sexiest weapons.

[maxntropy]

A long, long time ago at a Pennsic not so far away...

One of us Von Halstern squires, named Vladimir Ivanovitch Kassakov, made himself an awfully evil bardiche which was the envy of all and sundry fortunate enough to see it off the field, and the bane of all and sundry unfortunate enough to see it across the lists.

In his very first tournament bout, Vlad had the great good fortune to pull Michael of Bedford as his opponent. Shrugging with a jaded disinterest, at the lay-on Vlad shuffled forward towards Michael (and shuffle, he did, for Vlad had long been dealing with a degenerative muscle disorder that impacted not only his strength, but his gait). As he and Michael just got into range of each other, Vlad tripped over his own feet. As he lurched forward, he threw that dreadful bardiche forward as he completely lost his balance. The bardiche flew in front of him at great and terrible speed... and struck Michael soundly in the helm. Time seemed to freeze as Vlad caught himself and Michael just stood there. Silently and Unmoving. Finally... after what seemed an eternity... Michael shouted "good" and Vlad walked off the field having killed Michael of Bedford in his first tourney bout, thanks to the might of that dread weapon. His next bout, he was dispatched forthwith... and with that bout he ended forever his tourney career, with a .500 average.

The bardiche's career, however, was far from over. Other tales of great and woeful terror did abound. If you doubt it, then ask Sir Stryker (Stephen Hick) about the tale of Brion Tarragon and the Bardiche. It's a doozy.

In service,

Max Von Halstern

[Ali]

A butt spike on a 6' weapon is not that difficult to use. I regularly get kills with mine. It is most useful to me when the shieldman charges, as I can allow him to close, use the butt end of the weapon to sweep his shield and then spike him in the face. Obviously, this doesn't always work, but it sure is nice to have in the tool box. As always, your mileage may vary.

Regards,
Ali

**EDIT** I just picked up a bardiche head from By My Hand Designs at Lillie's War. So far it is a bit awkward, but seems to scare the crap out of people. I'll play with it some more before I pass judgement on it.