"two handed axe men" Topic

Is it just me or are most figures depicting these men swinging their axes over the "wrong" shoulder?
I'm right handed and I always swing a pickaxe from over my left shoulder, I assumed that axemen whould do the same to
catch the unshielded right of an opponent, most figures I've seen are doing the opposite…..

Frank

Being right handed I normally swing a felling axe from the right.

I've only heard that the Anglo-Danish housecarls trained to wield their axes from the left, to catch the unshielded side of their opponents. However, most sculptors wrongly show them using a right-handed grip.

IMHO, most axe-wielders would have used a right-handed grip, unless they were trained otherwise, or were a southpaw themselves.

I just asked a passing lumberjack …just kidding.

I expect you would be able to swing it from either side as circumstances demand.

Same as Jim Duncan. If it was your weapon of choice I'd assume you'd have flexible and varied techniques.

On the Bayeux tapestry both grips are shown, left hand above right and right above left, but the representations are roughly 7-2 in favour of the left hand above the right and thus a swing from left to right!

@Lewisgunner

Does that imply that the tapestry makers had 7-2 ratio of left handed stitchers over right handed stitchers or would it be the tapestry designers?

It might just be me…I'm right handed but it just wouldn't feel "right" swinging an axe over my right shoulder.

Frank

When chopping firewood I go over right shoulder (right handed; right hand on top sliding down as I swing) – but then again, maybe it's just from playing baseball.

I too use the baseball swing when woodcutting. Right hand over right shoulder.

Thanks
Austin

I used to be in the building trade for many years and I have used two handed axes, hammers and pickaxes more times than I care to remember. I am right handed and I and every other right handed person I have worked with used a right hand grip with the swing coming over the left shoulder. The dominant hand is where the power and accuracy is coming from and the left hand is simply helping to guide the direction of the axe hammer etc as it has no real purchase on the shaft of the weapon/tool.

I understand why anyone more used to using a baseball bat would choose to chop from over the right shoulder.

@jimduncan…No, it implies nothing about tapestry design, more that the grip on the axe is shown with left yand above right and that implies a swing from left to right.

Depends I suppose on training and technique, personally I swing from the right and the left and overhead. If swinging back and forth and in a rhythmn I go from right to left and back again. I'm not a baseballer either….:)

@Sgt Troy .. I have known many right handed men but they held a bat or swung an axe left handed. i.e. Right hand on the butt end, left hand towards the centre of the handle. The same would apply for swinging an axe.

I swing right as well

Right hand down, from left shoulder.

Until I switch.

When cutting a piece of wood in two the desired side of the notch that I am aiming for decides direction of swing.

Or I go overhead if that is the cut I want to make.

So I swing three ways…

I'm right handed and I generally use an axe (mattock, pick) over my right shoulder. When making a V cut, it is a simple matter of bringing the axe down from the left but still with the right hand above the left.

The blokes in this clip are a lot more proficient than I am:

YouTube link

I am in accordance with the other wood cutters: generally from the right, sometimes dead center, every once-in-a-while from the left, but awkwardly. And yes, I often imagine I'm chopping at trolls…..

I generally alternate swings when chopping wood, cuts out a V and breaks quicker.

But I also use chopsticks or any eating utensil with either hand…

I find it hard to believe axes went over either shoulder in a dense formation,apart from braining the folk behind it's far too easy snagged on spears being thrust over the front ranks.

Makes more sense to raise the axe veritcal,hands about shoulder height then strike from there. Japanese swordsmen use a similar position.

I'll ask a Sensei I know what it's called and post it.

David, your linked video is quite different in quality from this one from last year: YouTube link

Being from Canada I was a little embarrassed to even watch the one from Wales. Methinks they need more trees so they can practice more …

KodiakBlair – it does seem to make more sense to be chopping from an over-the-head position.

This is battle, not lumberjacking – but then again this use of axes could be more a product of the berserkers because of all the potential wild swinging.

Even swinging over-the-head would be very dangerous for anyone behind the axeman. I just cannot see close formation fighting with such a weapon.

A study of sagas could help glean some info about who exactly was wilding an axe when.

I can't really see how an axe would be more dangerous than any other edged weapon in a shield wall situation. Of course, the people wielding axes, swords or spears were reasonably proficient in their use and and would be able to minimise blue on blue casualties.

There is quite a good account of the use of Viking axes at:

link