Simple Dane Axe Techniques That Work! 🪓 Training and Slow Sparring | Viking Martial Arts | HEMA 

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....

switching hands mid fight is a great way to throw off your opponent

They are to the users chin from the floor

@@TheWelshRaider thanks.

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 😂

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

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.

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

A spear you can chop with 😍