Is an Axe a Good Weapon for Home Defense? | Woox Axes Reviewed 

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Someone selling their late grandmother's prized bureau to make rent: "At least it's going to a good home" Icy Mike: "..."

I collect antique arms and armour, and my favorite melee tool for home defense is probably my gladius because it can chop, stab, and is pretty short

I’m the perfect weapon for home defense

Ive trained axe and shield hema for almost a decade. Id still prefer my gun for home defense but I think axe with shield would work suprisingly well in a hallway.

I always love how the guy who's channel that isn't about weapons-based fighting makes more valid points about weapons-based fighting than many of the channels dedicated to it do. Great points and video Mike, keep it up💪

The tone of this video is alot of why I keep coming back for more. The honesty of how you think and what prompts a video. The fact that you take into account the practicality of something. Not just the damage factor. While still emphasizing the fact nothing is really good without training and practice. However all that to me is second to the fact that you bring your son along for the ride like a Dad does, the whole time saying things like "That's SO loud" and "We're gonna get in so much trouble for this" but still making sure he's safe and back out of the way. Subject matter is interesting. What makes me stay for the whole vid is the interaction and approach. Keep up the awesome content and be safe.

The beard part of tomahawks that can snag is a feature, not a bug. Axes purpose made for combat throughout history from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas all have that in common. Axes made for hitting people instead of wood universally have more narrow and lighter blades that maximize the cutting edge while reducing weight. The kind of vertical tapering of the blade that creates the beard is a part of that. Less mass means a faster weapon and while the force of impact is lessened, you've still got a big chunk of blade to do damage. If it happens to snag on someone, that also means you can use that to hook and drag the limb (or whatever) that got caught. It's not as intuitive as hacking away, but that's what training is for. Given a choice between a broader headed wood axe or hatchet and a dedicated fighting axe design, I'd go with the one with centuries of battlefield use around the world. That said, a well made battle axe modeled on battlefield designs is not something you can find at a hardware store and will cost more from a dedicated maker so you have to be a martial arts weapon nerd to have one and train with it. A wood axe/hatchet may not be as ideal for a weapon, but an attacker hit by one is still really not going to like it and you can at last get some feel for using it as a weapon from using it as a tool.

Shadiversity had been watching your stuff, and thought a gladius would be the ultimate melee self defense weapon in the home. Other than needing to break through a door or something, I agree. A single thrust would be a definitive end to the conflict, and in-doors, you're not dodging that shit.

I love that you're such a kid with it, I don't have a gun but I have a bokken and a military survival machete for home defense, im 21 and live alone and practice everyday after work. You're videos are awesome

Fun fact: most historical axes used for war were one-handed for this exact reason. You didn't need to cleave completely through an opponent, hitting someone with an axe is often a big problem regardless of axe size. There were other sizes that existed (just in case someone wants to comment with some example of something) they just weren't the most common style of axe in use, with the exception of certain types of throwing axes and other special designs.

I love how people who are " against firearms" think that they're totally cool with butchering somebody up with a hatchet. It's all eww, no way.

I've actually done quite a bit of axe sparring and one important bit I wanted to point out regarding the comment made at @5:19 about choking up on the handle: It's not as easy for the defender to grab ahold of the handle as you would think, since it's mostly covered by the chop of the blade. Any attempts to reach up and grab the handle should, if swung properly, result in them getting cut before they're able to. Also, if you're going up against someone who also has a weapon, you can use the handle to cover your forearm as a blocking tool to defend against incoming strikes, or even use the handle to hook their weapon or wrist and start grappling. That said, I find that generally it's still better to keep your choke down and simply use the axe as intended. The techniques with a choked up grip are useful, but they can be more risky, and you're also sacrificing a ton of reach (which the hand axe already doesn't have much of). I find it's usually not worth the tradeoff.

I would go for an arming sword or a German "Messer" since it has a longer handle. Can also trust with the sword in a hallway better than an axe.

Any weapon that quickly gets the assailant questioning his actions is a good weapon. Close quarters like the hallway I think the hatchet if you want something to match his blood type and match missing body parts to would be good. If you want to leave great marks and a lot of pain without possibly having to dispose of remnants later then something like the Stinger Tactical Whip which is extremely fast to deploy and easy to wield in confined places.

48-year-old Blazo Grkovic has made headlines in the international media after it was reported he managed to kill a bear in combat using only a small carpenter’s ax and his bear bare hands. And the other grizzly ran off after he killed the first.

The music on this one is on point! sets the mood instantly. Also, when swinging one handed try "bicicling" for better control. You loose some power and penetration, but for head and limbs is more than enough.

I'd suggest a gladius for an alternative weapon. Good for chopping and thrusting, hasn't got the utility an axe provides though. Love these types of video.

i think a raven's beak (bec de corbin), basically a pointy hammer, would be pretty grim too.

I am a carpenter and a craftsman before a martial artist. An estwing camp axe is my bedside home defense weapon. It’s like a hammer with more lethality, and the back of it even is a hammer if that’s what’s called for. I swing hammers all day so the ease and accuracy with which I can wield it is unparalleled by any other home defense weapon. It pairs well with my other stuff and my other stuff supports it. I just love it. Happy to see it mentioned. Thanks mike!

The splitting axe, while not ideal indoors and not really made for fighting has some options. This comes from HEMA halberd and poleaxe manuals, and I've done some of this in sparring in and out of armor. Basically, you want the head retracted at first so you don't have to spend time winding up. You can then have the butt of the haft forwards and "pool cue" someone with it, though with a haft that short it's risky and can lead to wrestling, which, as you said, is where all of this leads especially with hafted weapons. A stout haft to the face will mess up someone's day, and we've found it transfers through helmets and masks. You can also choke up a little towards the head with your off-hand and use the little crook to trap people's necks or arms. The next option is of course the big chop. You basically can't block or parry It unless you have a weapon of equal mass and leverage, so you have to get away or smother, once again, wrestling. The big chop will wreck your whole world since it defeats even specialized armor of the time when axes were a primary weapon. This being said if you have the head of the axe retracted the threat of getting split in half is always there, and sometimes you just smash people especially if they hesitate. At wrestling ranges, you have some options to use the haft as a lever (trapping their hands, arms, or head) and throwing them, and you can trip if you're lucky, but even the dudes using them back in the day ditched it and went to knives at wrestling distance.

A short axe (called a hatchet) in my right hand and the Cold Steel Buckler shield in my left hand would be hard to beat. HOWEVER, why use a hatchet, with a long handle that can be grabbed, when you could use a Bowie knife or machete instead. A handle just big enough for your own hand to hang onto and nothing but blade sticking out makes more sense. A large double-edged Bowie knife, impossible to grab, along with the Buckler shield, would allow you to easily dominate anyone.

For me, factoring in my military background, if I couldn't have a rifle, I'd want a short spear, 45-55 inches long including spearhead. That would best transfer the melee training I'm most versed in, which is bayonet drill.

The music you added for this video is perfect!!!!!!

i have been playing around with the idea of an axe for home defense for a while now (in AUS NSW) the advantage of the utility axe it has multiple uses and levels of force. A: reversing the axe and using it as a heavy baton with the blade on your forearm*, or out as is appropriate, and you have a rather fast and snappy "stick" that is very controllable and makes use of any stick, sword, "sword" or baton experience you may have. B: use only a two handed poleaxe grip for closed range or defensive. like a staff, poleaxe ,halberd or defensive baton . C: open up to full swings transitioning between poleaxe and baseball grips to improve control. all three grips can transition easily and smoothly *with the blade in, to my non lawyer mind, it could be argued as a demonstration of non lethal intent in a non lethal situation..

I have a small stout scimitar style machete. Heavy hacking blade but also it comes to a sharp point so I could use it for thrusting in tight spaces. Easily my go to home invasion weapon if I can just grab a gun

A gladius, sharp on both sides is the ultimate where you don't have firearms. You can use it to keep someone away from you and you don't need room as you dont need to swing it. Pair it with something else in your other hand like a small metal shield or dagger and you are set

Excellent advice also good work on chopping down that desk (when the desk was going down in half the only thing missing was to say out loud: Timbeeerr!!!!)

The first thing I would grab is my Italian dueling Sabre, I'm somewhat trained with it and I can wear it with relative ease in my house 😂

Entrenching tool's pretty good for narrow hallways/doors etc

I would choose a rapier. For the speed, range, and advantages in narrow hallways. Some disadvantages would be corners and if the he gets past the blade but I'll take my chances.

I see that you also did an excellent video on tactical tomahawks for home/self defense! They were originally made for fighting/defense, and are more practical than a hatchet or small ax! Great job!

I've been trying out club swinging recently, so my go-to would probably be a 15 pound club (cast iron, a bit longer than a hatchet), just because it's there. It's not particularly easy to retract, that's kind of the point, but it would do a lot of damage and might blow past a block. Also, it would still be dangerous if I threw it at them (though I don't know what scenario would make throwing it a good idea). Any thoughts on clubs? I know you've said bats are impractical because they're too big for hallways, but shorter clubs aren't as clumsy.

I have a training spear, which can also be a long wooden spike, and a hallway, if given time I feel good with that. I have training axes but not any fighting axes, I also have a hatchet and it is fine but for fighting it moves too slow, particularly in the recovery, I rather have a fighting axe. I also have training version of a poleaxe, which hits hard asf

This was and hilarious. Thank You Mike. Your neighbors were like "Honey he's doing it again..."

An advantage to the full size axe is the handle can enable short-staff defenses, blocks etc. it gives you more leverage if you end up grappling

A short sword like a gladius or a machete that can thrust well and still cut would be my first choice. You can't really stab with an axe and that's a big disadvantage in close quarters. It will be much quicker than an axe too. Also the risk of someone grabbing a sword/machete is much less. You could get a pretty decent sword style machete for about $50 and there are tons of more expensive options.

The greatest home defense weapon is the one you know and you train with

Thank you for the video! 🤩👍❤

The music makes this video friggin epic!

Bro, Your channel is fantastic.

I love your videos! Can you do a cutting comparision of the karambit, vs a dagger, a folder and a few fixed blade knives???

I'm glad you're feeling better

That flurry at 8:25 has me sold on the smaller one for home defense. That was impressive and still vicious

A few years ago. A medieval weapons enthusiast had 3 young men break into to his house through the front door. The home owners response was to grab war ax and attack the first intruder. The first intruder took an ax head to the guts, and the other two intruders. Decided to get the hell out of that house. When the police finally showed up, they had absolutely no problem finding the first intruder. The police simply had to follow the blood trail of the first intruder. Across the street into an alley. Where the police found the body of the first intruder. Who had bled to death while trying to hold his guts in. When the police examined the body of the first intruder, he was armed with a handgun. So the home owner wasn't charged with any crimes, the case was considered justified homicide.

that music really added value to the video.

I remember reading that, before firearms were common, the poleax, or a short variant of it, became the go to choice for many households. Hammer, axe, and spear all in one.

For protection inside your home a kukuri 12 inch knife with a D hand guard. It is very maneuverable and super fast. It can block, stab and lop!

I've been watching you're videos for a few months now, wish I would have found them sooner man. Good stuff. You're improvised self defense videos are always good ones. I'm a carpenter and grew up using a machete and axe in an almost daily basis. There are lots of little nuances to any self defense with a weapon. I do agree with you that knives are always the last option when the fight has gotten too close. A good one handed machete isn't bad. I own a cold steel gladius machete, it's a little heavy, but most of cold steels stuff is. Combat commander makes some good tacti-cool bs that could be useful. One point with axes and hammers is the method used to swing them in a fight is typically less shoulder movement, keeping the elbows in and using the momentum to keep them in the fight. I'm by no means an experienced martial artist. Matt Easton from scholagladatoria RU-vid channel is a really insightful dude to learn some edged weapon techniques from. If you do go get a hammer from the hardware store, I recommend a estwing framing hammer with the waffle head. When they are new the waffle will take flesh off on contact, the neck is nice and skinny, all steel construction, straight claws on the back end.

I loved this video. Very funny and practical

Awesome video. I don't want to say that you guys should play d&d but seeing Sensei Seth in full armor and Icy Mike fighting Trees... Maybe the Next video would be how to roll with advantage.

Honestly I would either go with a Gladius or a Xyphose, both are double edge, short and maneuverable, can slash well and have a sharp piercing tip for thrusting.

Cheap and cheerful home defence tools to try are the Fiskars X7 hatchet and the Fiskars XA3 brush hook. They're nearly indestructible too. 🙂

Great channel 👊

I have a 4 foot bull whip, and won't miss with it. And a few goodies stached around the house. That little axe proved to be useful. Will got check one out.

I bought one of the large Woox axes from Baryonx Knife Co. It is *very* nice, I've had fun with it processing wood. I'll have to try the hatchet some time. As far as the objects in the house question, if I'm being honest, I would lean towards grabbing the sharp sword or daggers off the wall instead of my axe, but whichever is at hand :)

Pre-heat the door handle so it burns the hand of the intruder. Attach a blow torch above the door and use a string trap to set it off if someone opens the door. Pour tar all over basement stairs so they lose their shoes while climbing up. Use various crowbar and bucket gravity traps. Leave Legos and other various caltrop-like objects on floor If all that fails, there is a scary old guy across the street who swings a mean snow shovel

Imagine you break into someone's house, and suddenly Icy Mike appears with this axe in one hand, the shield in the other hand, with the safety glasses on, and this music playing in the background 11:22 🤣🤣

Good video, that's a good idea for a compact melee weapon. You could take that anywhere. It would be good for protection at a motel, or even fighting off some road rager. You could pair it with that repeating crossbow you did that video on; shoot em with bolts then close with the axe. I could have used that dresser

As many others have noted, a short sword is better for self-defense. Having experience in sport fencing, I know a thrust can be delivered before someone swinging something can complete his move. I picked up a French yataghan (double-curved) bayonet that had a bubba'd handle. I re-hilted it, sharpened the 23 1/2" blade and 4" false edge, and now have a fast weapon that just looks wicked.

I do have a hatchet in my house for choppng kindling... I also have a walking cane made of solid wood that could be used for defense also. I also have assorted knives of various sizes.

great video!

You may like something more pick-shaped if you're concerned about the hatchet getting stuck because of it's flare. The M48 Tactical Kama by CutleryUSA is pretty stout, and has an inner edge. Great for hooking and controlling limbs while still doing some serious damage.

I am very partial to the hand axe. I also like a medium size crow bar. I have been meaning to pick up a Haligen tool to try. In my bedroom, since we aren't using firearms, I would go with the knife and sturdy flashlight combination. Is OC spray then axe allowed? :) Fun video and lots of cool things!

He never got over that sequence in Beauty and the Beast with the humans fighting animate furniture.

So if you miss, you still follow up the aim for legs and feet as secondary targets 🎯 and raise it in a forward thrust into the face reversed underhand swing to build momentum on the following strike and keep your momentum going in with short fast strokes that you can recover quickly with

Nice video. It seems like many people, me included, would like to know the name of the song used when smashing the cupboard.

I know you could kick my ass 10 ways to sunday any time but there's something just so goofy about a guy in his back yard throwing a spinning kick at a wardrobe with a hatchet in his hand lol

The music in this video is incredible. Excellent showcase of a man LARPing in his back yard.

Im curious, do you think with the long handled axe in a hallway situation that it would be possible to use it to thrust to the face? Thrusts are pretty quick and I have to imagine the axe head has a decent weight so could stun them then choke them out with the handle. Obviously not for multiple attackers haha

Finally the self defence video against Hurons we needed…sadly this axe came out too late for those poor Uruk Hai at Helms Deep…

I love axes, I have over 20 of them. I've worked with them since I was young, on the farm, commercial wood cutting, logging clearing trails and I a lot of other chores as well. In the right hands it would be hard to stop a determined man with an axe. A short handled lightweight axe would be a good self defense tool in a house but imo there's something even better. A Cold Steel Gladius machete. It has a needle sharp point, it's light and short and it's double edged which can be sharpened hair shaving sharp. You don't need any room to thrust with it, it would be pretty much impossible to grab and hold on to. It's short enough to also swing in a confined space. It could definitely decapitate, remove limbs or push through with very little effort. However trying to explain why you beheaded someone to a jury might not go well. I remember years ago someone used a sword to dispatch a home intruder and he was in court facing a lot of time. I never found out what actually happened to him but I'd rather avoid a situation like that. I keep an 18" framing hammer next to my bed just in case. While not as effective as a machete it will still take care of business. There's a reason war hammers were popular back in midevil days. Great video, it's good to think of options when it comes to selfdefence. Too many people grab the wrong tool for the work at hand and pay dearly for it.

Thanks for the demo. I had no idea how unwieldy axes were until your test. Losing grip while you went ham on the cabinet, twice? aww geeze, those seconds would be enough for attackers to grapple or whip out a pistol and start shooting.

I have a gladius that is pretty handy. I like that it can be used to thrust or chop.

Either a tactical flashlight or small/med shield in my offhand and a 12 to 18 in bladed weapon in my main hand. The flashlight would be easier manipulating doors and going up stairs etc than the shield. Also can shine multiple people. Could also put the knife/sheath and light on you if someone tries to lure you outside and such

Gotta say that was a fun watch. This could be a party event at your next dad's gathering or BBQ in the backyard! Could also flip it around for the hammer feature. I bought this axe for my 22 year old daughter, she loves to throw at the axe throwing bars and also great self defense as you demonstrated.

That music in the forest is a really nice touch. Reminds me of dungeons and dragons.

Best martial arts channel on youtube

6:48 camera man or lady definetely was feeling confident that day lol

The music killed it EPIC!!!!!!

I wonder what the neighbors are thinking in this nice subdivision while Mike's fighting furniture with a hatchet 😆

We need Mike doing axe and buckler fighting-- maybe vs. some hema guys, especially the full contact armored guys; with and without armor. Maybe a video on what works as improvised armor, or what modern civilian armor would be effective now He bought a lot of those tough little buckler ls though, that sounds like fun to me! I still want to see him shoot those cold steel bucklers like he said as well

Answering opening question: I have in my mind plans to make and test a torso-size HDPE shield that will stop most handgun rounds. I think that with a naval cutlass with an enclosed guard would be best. The shield gives a lot of options for bashing, pinning, controlling space, and pushing your opponent's weapons. You can push them with your whole bodyweight behind it, too. If it can stop handgun rounds that's a huge plus (hence my interest). I may consider making it more like a Scottish targe than a Spanish rondel. The central spike of the targe can be useful, and the strapping is such that the hand is close to the leading edge of the shield and suitable to holding another smaller weapon (traditionally a long dirk/dagger, but today? a flashlight) I specify a naval cutlass because they were designed for use in tight close quarters (ship hallways and cabins - smaller than a modern home) without concern for armor (thus optimized for cutting fabric and flesh unlike many less modern). They are good choppers and slicers that should be able to thrust really well, and designed for very messy melee during boarding actions and not for dueling like many other swords of the early modern era. I'm specific on the guard as well. Most guards were for protecting against another sword sliding down during binding and winding; that's not really relevant today. But one that fully encloses the hand protects from all sorts of threats, makes it harder to disarm, and allows you to strike with it just like punching when someone gets in too close. This is also just a little bit away from the Scottish basket hilted swords used with the targe, so they should be fairly compatible. I think that kit is easy to grab, fairly lightweight, very protective, and very versatile. Additionally, the targe and cutlass were used extensively in eras with early firearms. I imagine there would also be a bit of an intimidation factor if after kicking in a door the perp gets charged by a 200-lb man with a sword and shield. Bonus points if you have time to strip down and apply blue paint.

i don't know about ax's or hatchets but i do know i have an umbrella stand full of swords and a double ax. but for home invasion protection i have quite a few paperweights and a really solid granite ashtray at my bedside, its 1920s art deco so its sort of fancy with a brass horse attached to it and when you pick it up by that brass horse it becomes a granite hand slap, that said i sleep with a gerber mk2 under my left leg in the sheath and i can throw it and stick it from a laying position i had to do a lot of practicing to get it but it works

I would probably go for my tomahawk. But I have thought that a polymer shield and spear would probably be pretty good in a hallway. I don’t think an attack that did not have a gun could beat you if you had a shield and spear.

I have various hammers placed around the house and semi-regularly train family members on how to use them for defensive purposes.

Choke up your grip on the long one have the wood run along your elbow to allow reach when needed or short quick maneuvers

11:24 axe just straight up despawned

I think you are right about the axe being a good self defense weapon. the damage wise its very good. and its not that slow either. The only problem I have with it that you have to lift and swing it on an arc and there isn't really a way to make it faster at least not in comparison to a thrust. i think qama (a type of large dagger) would also make a good self defense weapon. and so would kama which is like a sickle but somewhat similar to an axe in terms of ways to attack. I'm glad you mentioned a technique of putting the second hand on top of head of the axe to take it back after someone is trying to wrestle it away from you. I didn't know about it and it makes sense. good video.

For home defense, I like my framing hammer. I think blunt impact is the easiest way to get disabling damage, Like you said about the "beard" It's got a shallower claw end which is still good for hooking without getting stuck on people. Armor also matters less, Full plate seems nice until it has a nice dent in it that stabs you in the ribs every time you breathe. Close second is my hori hori. Knife shovel with plenty of beating weight and typically a decent hand guard. So can be used like an arming dagger. (Wouldn't be good for any stick and poke though)

I do like a good hatchet but I think I would grab my 18 inch Ontario machete that's been modified to be less tip heavy. Ive been using it for years as a land surveyor. Its light and fast and basically an 18 inch razor. I also keep the blade oiled since its carbon steel so even if someone managed to get their hands on it, without loosing their fingers, its going to be hard to hold on to. It also has a lanyard so it doesn't fly out of my hand when I get fatigued.

First off, my answer to your question is that I would pick up one of the two or three swords in my room (the other two are in my training bag, so they're not practical to get to). Failing that, there's a metal water bottle next to me. Doesn't meet many of your requirements, but it's better than nothing. Second, I wanted to take a moment to say a slightly sappy thanks. Your videos were my first entry into this side of youtube, and they inspired me to take up kickboxing about six months ago after a couple of years of not being quite satisfied with the training I was getting in kung fu. Last night I had possibly my best sparring session yet, partly because I managed to make some kung fu shit work, but mostly because I'm finally getting composed enough to get my hips up under me and land some proper punches. I credit your videos with a bunch of little things that have made my first few months a lot easier, from better recovery breathing to a more explicit understanding of setups and the idea that your shots don't actually have to land to do something useful. On top of all that, your videos on self-defence and how it relates to martial arts has made me feel a lot more comfortable being visibly trans in a place where that's feeling less and less like a safe thing to be. So, uh. Thanks.

Awesome channel, I only have two quick observations. My family has a pig farm in their possession so I've had a few chances to test my tomahawks on unusable deceased pigs. One, a good tomahawk you can choke up on is useful for punching into a targets soft points and tear up a lot of important tissues ( this works well with brands like winkler, I wouldn't try it with an rmj.) Second if you strike in with a tomahawk like an rmj and immediately tear down on a pig's ribcage you can sheer through 4 or 5 ribs normally. I know this video was on axes and not tomahawks but, those observations might still apply.

16 inch Estwing hatchet. 14 inch Estwing hatchet. 12 inch Estwing hatchet. Knives: Mora Pathfinder, SOG /Emerson folders (okay for BUK hidden weapons but you don’t want to go to a fight with a folding knife)

Also if you're right-handed you need to use your left hand for leverage on the bottom and your right hand needs to be further up and you need to use your left hand for the anchor to yank the blade downward it will cause you to have a lot more momentum and if you drop your body as you swing you could use this weapon in a small hallway even the 3 ft long one.

Yo bro, I wanted to ask, you’ve mentioned paintball before. I couldn’t find the video, but that’s essentially “sport” gunfighting right? You said It built some bad habits but did it ultimately help overall?

I collect replica and fantasy weapons, so I actually have axes, swords, and a nice warhammer with a backspike I'm particularly fond of. BUDK has a nice selection that includes survivalist/prepper tools and weapons for just such a purpose that aren't ridiculously expensive. Like a 4 foot fiberglass reinforced spear that's good for "breaching, prying, and impaling", and the impaling includes any large animals that you want to eat or that are trying to eat you. Get in touch with your inner caveman.

I have two one handed battle axes, they are replicated after an axe from a TV show so I mainly bought them for memorabilia and display purposes. They are not very good at cutting objects but I know for a fact they can cut skin, so they'll be very effective should someone try to break into my house. Plus they are easy to store and access when I need them quickly

Roommate has a Maasai spear hanging on the wall of our living room…. That would be pretty gnarly.

Bruenor Battlehammer would be proud of you. Would definitely love to see an axe and knife throwing video.