The double edged axe is STUPID! - Pop-culture weapons analysed 

Great reply video by Skallagrim giving a bit more context on double headed axes: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IHvgG3UsYqI.html

Very good arguments, but consider this: "It looks really cool tho".

Next Shadiversity video: "Every weapon that is not a stick is absolute garbage"

"The drip is more important than stats" - Sun Tzu the drip lord.

Shad: "Say 'no' to too much head!" Kylo Ren: "I know what I have to do.....but I don't know if I have the strength to do it."

Shad, you missed a crucial advantage of the double edged axe, one that makes it far superior to all other axes: you can use it as an emergency paddle.

As a side note, the double bit wood axe is often sharpened differently on each head to create a fine edge and a more wedge shaped edge. The fine edge would be used for felling and bucking, while the stouter edge would be used on knotty sections and for delimbing. If all the tools have to be carried to the job, one less handle and some of an axe head can make a difference. It is also a real advantage if the tree and stump have to both be removed because chopping in the dirt with a fine edged cutting axe is a great way to chip it.

I grew up using an axe as a child, trimming the branches on the trees that my father had felled, using a double bladed axe. I was 6-7 years old, and my father could take a limb off a tree 5-6" thick in a single stroke, and, damn, how I wanted to be that good! He explained to me that the single blade axe was for felling trees, where you worked the axe at 2 angles into the cut (he used a chain saw though!) and you changed the angle with a body-shift and a shift of your grip. When trimming a tree out, the blade had to hit the branch very close to the tree (so that shock wouldn't be absorbed by the springiness of the branch) and at a very precise angle. Cutting a branch off in one swipe isn't about brute strength, it's more akin to the trick of ripping a phone book in half. Anyways, this is what a double bladed axe is really for, it has a balance that a single blade does not have, and in skilled hands, you can be much more precise in your angle, cutting much deeper than you would have managed with your angle slightly off on the head of the axe. By the time I was 12-13, I was able to "walk the trunk" and swing that axe in an almost constant motion, swiping branches off the felled tree in single swipes, up to 4-5".

One of the biggest advantages of double bit wood axes is sectional density. A double bit axe can be made heavier without making the head wider. This helped greatly felling the old growth hardwoods that were common place in North America during the 1800s. It wasn't until chainsaws and the need to drive wedges that fellers started carrying single bit axes.

"Shad is stupid" - signed Mr Double Edged Axe

There’s a whole chapter in the Dwarves’ book of grudges about Shad now

I would argue the weight on the second head lined up behind the first would nearly double the force of the impact. However, if that is the idea, it would still be wiser to have a different type of head on the backside for flexibility rather than 2 identical heads.

My husband has told me that if you are on a horse, it would be highly awkward to use the back edge. And you may take out your own mount. He also pointed out to me that with these axes, an enemy with a sword may be able to hook the ax with their sword and yank it out of your hands. Less chance of that happening with a single. You have a good grip on it.

Double bitted axes are good because trees…tend…not to fight back.

Just saw a video where a woman fails to chop a piece of wood, causing the axe to bounce back into her forehead, and I immediately thought, "So that's why they aren't double sided!" 0_0

Shad, I have a great answer to your question of what use a double-bit axe is, and it's a classic one at that: the swinging axe dungeon trap!

The main axe head would be sharpened for combat and the secondary edge would be sharpened for chopping through wooden barricades

"Big stick energy" "Say no to too much head" I'm sensing a theme here

As someone who has felled trees with an axe before, the double bitted axe is really helpful for edge alignment on repeating horizontal strikes. The single bitted axe wants to twist in your hands during a horizontal swing because it's unbalanced. It's not a big deal, but it causes a lot of forearm fatigue after a lot of swings. The double bitted axe really makes the task a lot easier due to it being balanced.

"Say no to too much head, okay?" The most valuable lesson of the entire video.

I think the only real benefit to having a second head on a battleaxe would actually be the added weight. And yes, that's also a detriment, but if you're trying to land devastating blows (especially with a blunted axe head!), more weight means more power, which will lead to a lot more damage. That being said, if that's the reason you want more weight in an axe head and you're willing and able to handle a heavier axe, just... put a hammer head on the other side... Something akin to the Venetian poleaxe. That way you have the extra weight to deliver a devastating blow, AND you have the option of making using a hammer head or an axe head

The reason's double headed axes have value: While barrel riding and you have to tap many goblins in rapid succession. Since all you have to do is tap a goblin with an axe to kill it (as we see in the historical films "The Hobbit") you don't need the extra power swing. Considering this, you could be very efficient in holding the axe straight out in front of you and just swiping left and right like you're using a metal detector and you'd be able to kill enemies by the trillions.

“If I only had an hour to chop down a tree, I would spend the first 45 minutes sharpening my axe.” - Abraham Lincoln.

Ork fanbase: “HaHa, me choppa’s got two heads to double me choppin’!”

The double-bitted axe is good for fighting when outnumbered against poorly-disciplined hordes, allowing you to strike with the backswing against a secondary target.

"Say no to too much head!" I disagree with that statement on a deep, existential level.

First we had "nunchakus are dumb". Now we have "double headed axes are stupid". Next we'll have "not finishing enemies with your pommel isn't righteous"

After watching this video I attempted to draw an effective double edged axe. I ended up drawing what I googled later to be similar to the bec de Corbin, Lucerne axe, and a polearm smaller headed stormbreaker with a spike. Anyways, I didnt invent anything new and I couldn't make a not-stupid double edged axe, but it got me thinking why lightsabers weren't way longer. Like the light(saber) part of the lightsaber (not the handle) - why it wasn't like 1000 long and then u could just sweep back and forth to destroy everything rly quickly. I would put three jedi with longsabers on top of a destroyer. One would focus on deflecting all the enemy destroyer lasercannons, another would wave around and kill all the TIE fighters, and the third jedi would focus on touching the enemy destroyer shield generators, officer bay, engines, or whatever would K.O. the fastest.

I know this is an older video, but I wonder about a Witcher-type character using a double bladed axe with one edge steel and the other edge silver. Not as nimble as a sword, but lets you have both options on you without switching weapons, and would help if there are any creatures that must be decapitated to completely stop them. Now, I do realize that Geralt (and presumably other witchers, I haven't actually read the stories/books) don't always carry both swords as in the games, and the same vein of logic could be used to suggest a sword with one steel edge and one silver edge, but I think I could buy the argument of a monster slayer who needs both steel and silver weapons using a double bladed axe without it suspending disbelief too much (especially if decapitation/dismemberment were important).

The year is 2021. RU-vid is in a state of all-out war as the nunchuck ninjas, left-side elitist archers, and double-bladed axe barbarians have combined their might against the Shadlands. Only the true hero, wielding the mighty Shword, can save us now. But who is worthy to draw this mythic blade/shield from the legendary back-scabbard?

Shad- "This weapon is just dumb." me- "Warhammer go bonk"

*”And if you don’t like double bladed axes f-“* …uck you? “ine!” Oooooh, that makes more sense.

With the concept of the big sword in your book in mind, I could see a justification for a doublesided axe in a similar "enchantment-driven-gear" fantasy setting Where you would make the axe from something that didn't add too much extra weight, and each of the two sides would be enchanted with different enchantments (assuming enchantments can't be stacked for example) Or in a sort of setting where 2 different materials are needed for different targets (The Witcher for example, where Geralt has 2 swords because of that), having one side be made from each type of material could be usefull for the sake of only needing 1 weapon

"Ah," the blacksmith said, "if this double-bitted axe isn't to your liking, perhaps you need something fiercer? I have just the thing; a barb-gripped, triple-bitted, flail axe."

Obviously Shad's friends never let him play as the Dwarf in Golden Axe.

The best double bit axe I’ve seen recently is the one from Ten Earth Shattering Blows. It has a rather small head and a very long handle, and the wielder uses it much like you would use a poleaxe. Since she often fights multiple enemies at once, it actually is rather practical to not have to worry about turning your blade when trying to strike an enemy with a backswing. I still wish it was a poleaxe, though.

The main problem I see with the dubble handed axe is that one blade is always pointing at you.

KID: Dad, Shad is shouting outside his castle again. DAD: Did he bring his troupe?

We do want Gimli's axe, because he didn't have a double-headed axe at this time in the movie. He only got the double-headed axe after visiting Balin's tomb as it was Balin's axe.

Shad, your videos are amazingly informative and helpful. My only issue is each video could be half the length if you’d just make your points and not repeat yourself so much. I think people with less tolerance for repetition would find the annoyance of hearing points repeated unnecessarily outweighs the amazing amount of great info your videos contain.

As a note, the two bits on a woodcutting axe are so that you can keep a razor sharp edge for cutting through the meat of the wood where you aren't in danger of damaging it, whereas the other edge is used around roots where it's likely to be damaged bu rocks, dirt ect. Not certain this would apply in combat in any way, just thought it was worth mentioning

Tl;dr version: why have a duplicate edge when you have a big fuck off spike/hammer instead?

The ultimative Anti-Shad weapon: double-edged axe-chucks! The double axehead is on both nunchuck parts, of course!

Actually my reasoning for having a double headed wood axe is that a felling axe and a splitting axe have two different shapes. So having one axe with both types of heads would be very beneficial

The weight is definitely the detriment involved with a double bit axe. Though in it's defense you do get double the parry zone for axes in having two heads as well as more weight for the swing. The second head wouldn't be used unless the first did happen to blunt. Thrusts are super underrated for axes, but is crucial for parry technique.

"You could pick up a rock and it's a very good weapon" *jump cut*... Shad clearly went on an hour long rant about how rocks are better than sticks.

“Rocks aren’t a good weapon” Slingers: you’re talking mad shit for someone in rock range

Hmm... You could open two beer bottles at once with a double bladed axe.

Historically, it is good to remember one important aspect - the economy - the steel needed to create one double battle axe is enough to make two normal.

In defense of Gimli and his kin: dwarves are much stronger and sturdier than men. They don't tire easily. I don't think weight would be much of an issue. You could make the handle heavier to counterbalance some of the weight - though I think a dwarf could actually prefer the extra weight towards the business end to make it hit as hard as possible. Even so, we can see Gimli's battle axe has holes in it, probably to make it lighter. Speed and agility becomes less of an issue if you have an armour you can rely on and dwarves have the best armour around. Besides, a stocky dwarf will never be as agile as his human opponent anyway. As far as utility of the second bit is concerned; whether fighting the more populous men, orcs or goblins, a dwarf tends to be outnumbered. When fighting multiple enemies, the second bit becomes especially useful when swinging from side to side. Alternatively, a dwarf can keep one side razor sharp for slicing and dicing, while having the other intentionally duller for splitting bones and denting armour. Finally, during long journeys or intense battles, it also makes for a good backup in case one side gets damaged.

14:47 "Say NO to too much head" That's the best Shadvice I've ever been given.

I used to be a Dungeon Master. None of the players in my games ever chose a double bladed axe as a weapon. Mages had daggers for backup weapons. Thieves had short swords and daggers. Clerics had maces, and fighters used long swords and daggers for short range, or bows for long range combat against opponents with no armor. Note the lack of throwing knives or other thrown weapons. The last thing you want in a fight is for your enemy to pick up the weapon you just threw at them, and have them throw it back in your face, or worse, wield it against you in their fist. As for armor, Mages wore none. Thieves used hardened leather, Clerics could use chain, or plate armor, fighters used hardened leather, chain, or plate armor, depending on what their finances were like. If course, no armor was always an option for all classes when just starting out. Side note: Mages could wear armor but took a penalty on their spells if they did. Dual class mage/fighters could get that penalty negated depending on their training. As a for instance, a battle mage, trained in both magic and sword fighting could wear light armor with no penalty. These were general guidelines, and there were exceptions to those rules, though I was the one with the final call. If the player made their case, I would allow it, but that was rare. On another note, one player got their character elevated to NPC godhood. Not an easy task, and not something you really want to do. I had that happen to a character I played in another related game, and I didn't like it. In my case, it was because I knew too much and the people I was gaming with knew nothing. I showed them just exactly what a level 1 character could really do, but they did not know that as they had never played before. Anyhow, enough about game play. I agree with Shad, double bladed axes are a waste of mass and energy. When it comes to double bladed axes, you're better off with a hatchet. The mass of a double axe would be better used in carrying extra loot, as a for instance. I agree, weight in a game is generally unrealistic, but even at that, there are limits, and those limits are there for a reason. @ 5:44 my players were big fans of portable holes, a-la the road runner. They could put the hole on the ground, store their stuff in it, and have it available when they got to town. This was not available to them until they got to level 15 or more. Most times they had to make it rather than find it. A portable hole required lots of spider silk, and you had to enchant it before weaving it, which required a lot of gold. Even so, it was worth it to them. If you play Minecraft, the equivalent would be an ender chest. @ 9:44 I have a hatchet. There was on time my room mate needed to chop through a tree branch. I handed him the hatchet, and he did not know how to use it. He chopped in the branch for about 3 minutes and got no where. I took it from him and in about 1 minute chopped the branch through. In the process, I showed him how to properly use the tool. It is a workout, and I don't recommend doing it on a hot day unless you have a hose to wet yourself with, and lot's of water to drink.

One of the problems with a single bladed axe is your opposition. For unarmoured opponents a wider, curved blade is going to do more damage, but against an armoured opponent, a narrower profile probably would be better. Also, for unarmoured you'd be better with a thinner blade to again do more damage, while against armour a more wedge-shaped blade to both improve penetration and reduce likelihood of the axe sticking in the armour. So would you carry three weapons (throw in a spear to set against charges) or a double edge (one side wider, thinner blade and the other shorter thicker) with a spike on top and set up as a short halberd?

The neighbours hearing Shad yell stupid over and over, "Is it about TV show battles? Weapons? Armor? Hammer and nail? Did he lose the barrel?"

Shad: “Say no to too much head” Drunk dwarf raising a flagon: “I can drink to that!”

What if I use my metronome strategy and pong between two opponents back and forth. I think I saw it in an anime once

6:00 "double headed axes *do* exist." Yay, the video is starting *6 minutes in*

Shad - "Double Edged Axe is Stupid" Ysgramor - "Angry Atmoran Noises"

Thorgrim Grudgebearer: "Next entry in the Book of Grudges ... Sha-di-ver-si-ty..."

Folks suggesting the double head would add to the damage of a swing, please keep in mind, that the extra damage you'd be getting would only logically be useful in fantasy/fiction settings. The extra damage you would do in real life is not only overkill, but more demanding on your stamina. Take the bit off Shad's two header and hit someone with what's left? That can still cause crippling damage, if not outright kill. The extra weight isn't worth how much harder it is to swing. Understanding leverage in a weapon attack can go a long way. Now, fantasy settings, go nuts!

i died (laughing) when Shad, changed mood midway and then back to rage when doing the intro.

almost no one have represented double axe on historical drawing, because no one had the time to see a warrior with a double edged axe, they all die from heart attack from the awesomeness of this large et viril mass of rough edged metal!

Shad: “SAY NO TO TOO MUCH HEAD!” Me: “No... I don’t think I will...”

One of the historical examples shown is from the Minoan culture. While the axes depicted seem rather inpractical and ceremonious in nature, those depictions were all over the place. Sadly we don't really know why they preferred this type of axe as a symbol.

Now I want a video game to have some kind of finisher where you parry an enemy's giant double-edged axe back into his own skull.

Clearly the main point of the second head is for when your opponent's gooey, sticky corpse is stuck to the first head and you still want to cleave a second opponent. The attached corpse of the first opponent also provides additional momentum.

"What are the benefits of the double bladed axe?" It looks cool. Efficiency be damned. Fashion Souls is the TRUE End Game.

Somehow my youtube browsing got me to part 2 of the response that led me to part 1 that led me here to where it all started. It is like a double-edged axe mini-series with multiple hosts!

Something I always thought interesting was in Skyrim the legendary daedric battle axe has two heads but not in a conventional way. The daedric axe is a very heavy weapon which gives it its damage as not only is it gonna bleed you but it will crush your bones and make it more affective against armour. However the other head on the axe is significantly smaller which is just a minor way to balance it and give it some more weight

Shad is the only RU-vidr who can go on a rant and I actively enjoy it

"I'm a writer" Prove it. *uses "derth" in a sentence*

I had always thought the point of a double headed axe was the extra axe head added extra weight, thus extra weight to the strike.

Also a heavy weight on a wood cutting axe is beneficial up to the point where it becomes difficult to control or causes exhaustion too fast. A double bladed wood axe can have a thinner head and maintain optimal weight by adding the second blade. It's essentially like carrying 2 axes to go chop wood for the day but your backup axe weighs nothing

"Say no to too much head!!" "You speak blasphemy, my good sir. "

Shad: analyses an Axe objectively. Every Dwarf: And i took that personally!

Shad just ranted for 22 minutes looking like a crazy person, talking like he's had one too many energy drinks and I've learned more than in school. Beautiful.

Double bitted wood ax had a utility reason for having two faces. One side was sharpened to a different bevel that made falling the tree more efficient. The other was left with a wider bevel similar to a splitting maul face to produce a more rugged blade for limbing the felled tree.

Shad: insults double edge axes Dwarfs: "That's going in the book!"

"I like my fantasy to be more realistic." I'm gonna punch that dragon twenty times in a turn and there's nothing you can do to stop me, Shad.

thanls for the campfire blaze. really helps

The other edge is for chopping wood, duh! Imagine having to chop wood for the camp fire for your long rest, after a serious battle, but now you have a blunt axe. 😜

Nunchuck critique in the past: *'BIG STICK ENERGY'* Battleaxe critique in the present: *'SAY NO TO TOO MUCH HEAD'* Arrow critique in the future: *'THE RIGHT SHAFT MATTERS'*

"Say no to too much head" -Shadiversity, 2021

"Say no to too much head" great quote

I have a double bit are. I love it. Splits firewood nicely.

Me when I see a double axe head: “That still only counts as one!”

15:05 That for sure would save us a lot of slots in Minecraft :D

Ever since I watched this video I can't un-see all these enormous double-headed axes in literally everything that has any medieval weaponry.

Lol its a multi-purpose axe, one side for wood the other side for people.

Shad next week: “Consider the lilies of the field…” Us: “He’s having a go at the flowers now!”

I once wrote a fantasy story with a mechanical wind-up knight. He wielded a double-headed axe which was also the key used to wind him up.

Love the book I wonder if you will do a sequel after the comic, short film, and possibly movie.

“Say no to too much head” this is going to be used out of context

Double-headed axes aren't stupid because they're a poor weapon, but rather there are much more effective ways to improve the weapon than a second axe hear (e.g. a spike, hammer, hook, etc.)

One of the characters I write uses a double-bladed axe as his main weapon, mainly to symbolize his brutal method of fighting, but after seeing your video I might actually consider giving him an axe with more functionality. Even if I rewrite it to resolve the weight issue, the axe he has now is used mostly for attacks from behind, dramatic executions, and all with swings that won’t bounce back towards his skull, blocking and pushing his enemies away the rest of the time. Maybe I can try a Dane Axe or even a Shepherd’s Axe? Regardless, it’s one of many reasons I appreciate your videos. You really help shed a lot of real-world light on things like this.

One reason I think would benefit. In a Fantasy world where big strong Monsters/ Orcs,... exist, who are so strong that they can handle an axe like a sword. Should be devastating. (Or if they are that strong that weight wouldn't matter :D

Shad, I think you should turn it into a double-headed axe flail by attaching a pair of nunchucks to the hilt 😏

About the weight of two-headed axe: pollaxes have axe head one one side, and I think equally heavy hammer head on the other side - so the weight itself is not the deciding factor. The fact that you don't get much from this added weight is. Also, if I remember correctly Gimli axe was stupidly thick.

Constructive criticism is the best thing ever. BTW the double bit axes I've used for splitting... one side is filed to a different angle. Penetration vs splitting power

Whether or not you agree about the double sided axes (Maybe they were going for more weight = more force? But then I'd want a blunt protrusion on the other side so idk), the passion you have about the subject is what sells it for me :) Good stuff! Also 14:47 I'm dying xD