New poleaxe, thanks to this forum

[Rodney]

I wanted to share my new poleaxe because without this forum it would not exist.

Before I continue, I wish to thank:
Vitus von Atzinger for the design and construction notes in his How to make a Vitus axe- tutorial thread.
Baron Eirik for his wonderful thrusting tips suggested in the 6' Polearm thrusting tip question thread.
InsaneIrish for his clacker design in the Polearm Construction Advice Needed - Northshield/Calontir thread as well as his input on Calontir rules so I can play with my new toys at Lilies War this year without worry.

The poleaxe is based (loosely) on a cheap reproduction model. The total length is just shy of 6'. The slightly octagonal haft measures 1.5" in diameter and was hand planed from a 2" piece of rattan. I rubbed boiled linseed oil on the haft to give it a more authentic look. Each thrusting tip is the same diameter as the haft, compresses at least 1/2" and is 2" long (to satisfy Calontir rules). The hammer head is 4" long and the axe head is 8" long. Both have a clacker made from half a 1.5" piece of rattan and is seated on built up foam providing at least 1/2" progressive give. After taping the heck out of the head, I finished it with three thin coats of Plasti Dip. The last coat was mixed with a small amount silver paint for appearances. The "langets" are simply painted on with Plasti Dip and the nail heads are just drawn with a Sharpie marker.

Now I have to build a 7.5' padded polearm!

[Brother Logan]

Very well done, look really nice!

[Oscad]

Lookin' good....

[Vitus von Atzinger]

Why didn't you cut the head in the same shape at the real one? Why a triangle?

[Rodney]

Why didn't you cut the head in the same shape at the real one? Why a triangle?

I agree a nice back curve would be MUCH sexier. I was initially worried about the strength of the head, but after all was completed it became very obvious that I was needlessly concerned. Following your instructions produces a rock solid weapon. I may rip it apart and make it sexier in the near future.

[Scott]

You can probably add the concave curves to the sides of the head without taking it all apart.

Draw the curved lines on the head, and then use a drum sander to sand the leather heads down to the lines.
Remove the tape/plastidip from the sides of the head since its not doing anything, and then re-tape.

Did you use whole rattan for the clackers, or split rattan?
You can lose some weight and reduce the profile if you split the clackers in half and just use a half piece.

- Scott

[Rodney]

I couldn't leave well enough alone and reshaped the head. It's the same poleaxe modified with a jigsaw, re-taped and re-coated with Plasti Dip.

[Tomburr]

Now that is a dead sexy weapon. I would be proud to be smacked in the head with that thing.

[Vitus von Atzinger]

Add a rondel and it's PERFECT.

[Uneg]

I love this forum.

Beautiful work.

[Grimbah]

I don't like it! How would all us lame rattan with tape dudes feel coming out to the field and we spot that!? Do you really want to hurt our feelings! Downgrade for the greater good!!!

[Lucian Ro]

Hell of a nice job!

[Uadahlrich]

Beautiful!

[benz72]

How would all us lame rattan with tape dudes feel coming out to the field and we spot that!?

Inspired to make better looking weapns and armor to more appropriately portray the martial aspect of the period?

[Rodney]

Thank you for the compliments everyone. I'm not all that creative, but I can follow instructions very well. The end product is really a credit to those mentioned in my OP. It was such a fun project that I started a 7.5' polearm yesterday!

Add a rondel and it's PERFECT.

What materials and method of attachment would you recommend? Has anyone on this forum had success with SCA legal rondels of your polearms?

[InsaneIrish]

What materials and method of attachment would you recommend? Has anyone on this forum had success with SCA legal rondels of your polearms?

Make one out of a disk of thick leather. That way if in the unforseen circumstance that you haft someone, you won't be hitting them with something so rigid it will hurt.

If you don't have leather thick enough, double it up and sew or rivet it together, then attach. To attach it I would just put a few rounds of twisted tape just below the rondel, and just above it to keep it in the right spot.

[Vitus von Atzinger]

It needs a bit more tape. Put horizontal pieces that run from the end of the hammer to the end of the blade, going across the section where the heads meet the haft. Make sure you put enough tape underneath the axe head, too. I'll post a pic of the spot in a sec.

[muttman]

That is really nice! Great work!
Drefan

[aidanhroarsson]

Not to hijack this thread, but I also like to say that I appreciate this forum and would like to send my thanks to Sir Vitus for the sharing of his knowledge. I am undertaking the building of a bearded axe and depending on the outcome, possibly another!