Axes.

[arnisador]

Last night we watched the episode of Conquest entitled "The Axman Cometh" which concerned, of course, axes. They covered a variety of axes. The focus was on Viking weapons, but throwing axes (such as the Francisca (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisca), adzes, and large British battle axes (as used in 1066) also made appearances.

The show took a decided point of view: The axe is a superior weapon to the sword due to its power, but cannot be used defensivley in an effective way due to the uneven weight. Hence, an axe-fighter must focus strongly on a determined and continuous offense that keeps his opponent on the defense, unable to make a riposte. They demonstrated this with a two-handed axe attacks against sword and shield and against spear and shield, with the axe-wielder hammering on the shield and driving the opponent back and back and back, unable to get a chance to make his own attack. I wasn't fully convinced by this demonstration, though even with "play weapons" the axe hacked off two feet of the spear.

The show certainly drove home the power of this weapon, though, and how bone-rattling the strikes were even through a shield. I imagine a war hammer would be much the same, though they didn't show that.

As usual, I found myself wondering about Filipino axes as weapons. We have played with axes and similarly-weighted objects on our own, but I've never been taught the Filipino axe. I do believe that I have seen pictures of small Filipino fighting axes, but nothing like the spear-length battle axes (i.e. halberds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halberd)), or for that matter glaives (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaive).

Incidentally, a "Weapons of the Ninja" episode is showing in a week or so (these are all repeats from around 2003).

[Matawguro]

Most polearms are generally used by heavy infantry in tight formations. Shorter, light weapons are used by fast-moving light infantry skirmishers used to harass heavy infantry.

AFAIK, Filipinos never developed heavy infantry tactics. Most wars and fights were done by skirmishers, which is probably why the name "Eskrima" is said to mean "skirmish".

[arnisador]

Hmm, that makes sense. But what about smaller axes, of more sword-like length (rather than a polearm)? Something like the American Indian's tomahak (which was featured in the following episode of Conquest, by the way), or what was used by Vikings?

[lhommedieu]

Hmm, that makes sense. But what about smaller axes, of more sword-like length (rather than a polearm)? Something like the American Indian's tomahak (which was featured in the following episode of Conquest, by the way), or what was used by Vikings?

I haven't heard much about the use of axes in the Filipino martial arts other than a reference in The Filipino Fighting Whip by Tom Meadows that Momoy Canete taught double axe techniques. And there is a picture of Dan Inosanto holding an axe with a very broad striking surface on one of his DVD's.

An Inosanto school in Ct. lists single axe and double axe in its curriculum:

http://www.psdtc.com/Kali/Kali_2.htm

Certainly the small axe must be an indigenous tool in the Philippines and it makes sense that it was converted from time to time into a martial arts weapon. It can be used in a similar fashion to the stick or sword with the obvious caveats that it is weighted differently and will often not pull through a target given that it is primarily an impact weapon. Other influences might include the use of the axe in Chinese and Malay martial arts which might have been observed in sea-warfare and as a consequence of raids by pirates along the coast.

Dwight McLemore has a book out on the tomahawk that looks interesting:

http://www.alliancemartialarts.com/review13.htm

And I think that James Keating had a couple of videos about the tomahawk a view years ago.

My friend Dave Tillett wrote a great piece about the use of the tomahawk by U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=90038&page=1

Best,

Steve Lamade

[arnisador]

Thanks for the info. I figured someone must be teaching Filipino axe!

The story on current usage of the tomahawk is interesting. I just read an article (http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-03-16-iraq-guard-cover_x.htm) from USAToday about a battalion commander who 'carried a hatchet as a symbol of the warrior spirit and used it to "knight" subordinates at promotion ceremonies by slapping it on their shoulders' according to the article. It made him look somewhat silly to his superiors, apparently. But, this use was purely symbolic.

[arnisador]

Canadian Soldier Injured by Ax-Wielding Afghan Youth (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/05/international/asia/05cnd-afghan.html?ex=1143003600&en=63f11a6998a4875b&ei=5070)



KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/afghanistan/index.html?inline=nyt-geo), March 5 — A Canadian soldier was badly wounded by an ax-wielding youth during a meeting with village elders in a remote village in southern Afghanistan on Saturday afternoon, the Canadian military said in a statement today.

The attacker was shot dead by Canadian troops. The soldier, Lt. Trevor Greene, was wounded in the head and was in a coma. the statement said.

Lieutenant Greene was leading a civilian and military mission in the village of Shinkay, meeting with village elders to discuss their reconstruction needs, when he was attacked from behind. The attack was a striking example of the hostilities that remain in the region despite the military's efforts to bring assistance to the most remote places.

"Lieutenant Greene had removed his helmet as a sign of respect, as is common practice for military personnel involved in shuras," the Canadian military statement said, referring to the customary village gatherings.

A tribal leader from the village, Haji Muhammad Isa, said in a telephone interview that the attacker was a 16-year-old

(Another link (http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=World_News&subsection=Philippines+%26+South+Asia&month=March2006&file=World_News200603061358.xml) in case that one becomes unavailable.)

[arnisador]

Incidentally, a "Weapons of the Ninja" episode is showing in a week or so

We watched it last night. It was interesting to watch their guest ninjutsu instructor demonstrate some weapons, with much bo and hanbo work plus swordwork and the kama and even the kusari-fundo, but I thought there was lots of misinformation overall--accepting mythology for truth.

[Buwaya]

Thanks for the info. I figured someone must be teaching Filipino axe!

Top of my head, Dugukan is the only system that springs to mind in the PI that teaches axe.

[Buwaya]

I haven't heard much about the use of axes in the Filipino martial arts other than a reference in The Filipino Fighting Whip by Tom Meadows that Momoy Canete taught double axe techniques. And there is a picture of Dan Inosanto holding an axe with a very broad striking surface on one of his DVD's.

An Inosanto school in Ct. lists single axe and double axe in its curriculum:

http://www.psdtc.com/Kali/Kali_2.htm

The axes I've seen Inosanto use look like they came from China...or a fantasy catalog, they weren't Pilipino.


Certainly the small axe must be an indigenous tool in the Philippines and it makes sense that it was converted from time to time into a martial arts weapon.
I dont know about tool steve, but they were definetly used for head hunting:) . That's why we call them "headaxes". We still have head hunters alive in the Philippines who remember what it was like to practice their traditions but I don't beleive they've been allowed to take anyones head for a good 40-50 years now. It'll be interesting to see what becomes of there way of life.

[lhommedieu]

I dont know about tool steve, but they were definetly used for head hunting. That's why we call them "headaxes". We still have head hunters alive in the Philippines who remember what it was like to practice their traditions but I don't beleive they've been allowed to take anyones head for a good 40-50 years now. It'll be interesting to see what becomes of there way of life.

It is interesting to note that in the following Krieger Plates the Ingorot carrying the head axe is also armed with a shield and spear. It makes you wonder whether the shield and spear were the primary weapons, and the head axe used as a "finisher."

http://www.vikingsword.com/rila/k18.jpg

***

I agree that the axe in Danny Inosanto's hand on the cover of his DVD is probably of Chinese origin. Still you have to wonder whether hundreds of years of raids by Chinese and Malay pirates had an influence on local design.

Best,

Steve

[arnisador]

Dugukan

I can't find anything about that art other than a passing reference at Martial Arts Planet...is there a link for it?

[Ron Kosakowski]

Check out these Igorot tribal head-hunting axes - http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/filipino.Igorot.head.hunting.axe.htm and http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/filipino.Igorot.head.hunting.axe.2.htm These are brutal weapopns adn you can feel what it can do when playing with it. I am more used to bladed weapons. Now I want to get in with the Igorot tribes to see how to use these more formally. heheheh...just another toy that if carried in the street, the judge would just shake his head and throw away the key! ;)

Ron Kosakowski
Practical Self Defense Training Center
847 Hamilton Ave (Rt 69).
Waterbury, CT 06706
203-596-9073
info@psdtc.com
http://www.psdtc.com (http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnBzZHRjLmNvbQ==)
http://www.traditionalfilipinoweapons.com (http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnRyYWRpdGlvbmFsZmlsaXBpbm93ZWFwb2 5zLmNvbQ==)

[Riddick29]

The second one looks realy like a modern Tomahawk ; I like it a lot.

[Pike]

Check out these Igorot tribal head-hunting axes - http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/filipino.Igorot.head.hunting.axe.htm and http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/filipino.Igorot.head.hunting.axe.2.htm These are brutal weapopns adn you can feel what it can do when playing with it. I am more used to bladed weapons. Now I want to get in with the Igorot tribes to see how to use these more formally. heheheh...just another toy that if carried in the street, the judge would just shake his head and throw away the key! ;)

Hi,:biggrinbo
The second one that is similar to a Tomahawk
Is it nicely balanced to throw
looks good to me, good shaft double edged head.
Have you thrown this or is it just ornamental my passion has took me from throwing Knives into throwing axes :EvilGrin:
Best Regards
Pike

[Ron Kosakowski]

Hi,:biggrinbo
The second one that is similar to a Tomahawk
Is it nicely balanced to throw
looks good to me, good shaft double edged head.
Have you thrown this or is it just ornamental my passion has took me from throwing Knives into throwing axes :EvilGrin:
Best Regards
Pike
Thank you guys for admiring my weapons. Yes, the Igorot tribe weapons are pretty crazy. Those axes are not really for throwing though it is not out of the question. It is more for hacking. It was used mostly in combination with this these wild looking shields. I am actually getting the shields here soon also. After I try to figure out how to get them here. Shipping is an MF'er man!
I will also be getting some Igorot tribal spears. Those kinds of weapons of the north are not to well known. The weapons of the South and the Visyan region seems to have the more popular known "Filipino" looking blades and weapons and shields.

The War Golok http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/WarGolok.html (http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/WarGolok.html) and the Golok http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/Golok.html (http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/Golok.html) not to mention the Itak Tagalog http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/Itak%20Tagalog.html (http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/Itak%20Tagalog.html) and of course the axes are some of the Northern weapons. They are just as effective if not as effective as a lot of the weapons of the two other major Islands have.

[Ron Kosakowski]

Hi,:biggrinbo
Have you thrown this or is it just ornamental my passion has took me from throwing Knives into throwing axes :EvilGrin:
Best Regards
Pike
To answer that question, no, I have never thrown them. They are so nicely made, I never wanted to ruin them. Any axe with a wood handle would eventually loosen up if not eventually come off. They are combat ready to hack away at anything in the way...if by chance you ever ended up in that type of battle!:viking:
As a weapons collector myself, I never really abuse my weapons. These are combat ready but obviously we don't fight like that but if there is a home invasion or something, you can do what you have to do if that was the first thing you got yer hands on and still hand these down to your great Grand Children.

[arnisador]

I love the look of the War Golok! Clean, simple lines--obvious use.

[Pike]

The War Golok http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/WarGolok.html (http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/WarGolok.html) and the Golok http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/Golok.html (http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/Golok.html) not to mention the Itak Tagalog http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/Itak%20Tagalog.html (http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/Itak%20Tagalog.html) and of course the axes are some of the Northern weapons. They are just as effective if not as effective as a lot of the weapons of the two other major Islands have.

Hi Ron
Great links
Itak Tagalog excellent curves, may get one its gonna be one of my favourites i think. Hope the balance is good.http://fmatalk.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Got to agree with Arnisador the War Golok is simple but so obvious of use.
Very nicehttp://fmatalk.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Great collection.http://fmatalk.com/images/icons/icon6.gif
Best Regards
Pike

[Ron Kosakowski]

Hi Ron
Great links
Itak Tagalog excellent curves, may get one its gonna be one of my favourites i think. Hope the balance is good.http://fmatalk.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Got to agree with Arnisador the War Golok is simple but so obvious of use.
Very nicehttp://fmatalk.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Great collection.http://fmatalk.com/images/icons/icon6.gif
Best Regards
Pike

I always guarantee that you will be more than satisfied with the engineering and the balance of these. You will feel the power of them when they are in your hand. They want to slash for you. Thats when you can tell its a good combat ready sword.

[arnisador]

Check out these Igorot tribal head-hunting axes - http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/filipino.Igorot.head.hunting.axe.htm and http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/filipino.Igorot.head.hunting.axe.2.htm These are brutal weapopns adn you can feel what it can do when playing with it. (http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnRyYWRpdGlvbmFsZmlsaXBpbm93ZWFwb2 5zLmNvbQ==)

I was looking at these again today and I'd sure like to have a chance to handle one! I don't know much about the use of the axe but want to get a tomahawk to experiment with.

[Brock]

If you're going for an axe, why not go for the big time and get a war axe?
http://www.museumreplicas.com/museumreplicas/detail.aspx?ID=795

Or this:

http://www.museumreplicas.com/museumreplicas/detail.aspx?ID=1245

[arnisador]

Heh, I just ordered myself a simple Tomahawk tonight!

[Brock]

There was a Budo Dojo magazine from 1995ish that had an article on Viking Axe fighting. I remember it being fairly interesting. If I can find it I'll let everyone know which issue it was.

[arnisador]

I assume all Viking arts are recreated, and that no tradition or even books/manuals survived?

[Brock]

I remembered the name of the art. Here's the Wiki entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stav The history's a bit suspect, but the techniques I've seen seem fairly solid.

[arnisador]

Yeah, the backstory sounds made-up, but it'd be interesting to see it anyway!

[mattcarpet]

Did anybody mention the, in my opinion, greatest axe wielders of all time the Normans? Technically the same as vikings true but they used what essentially looks like a modern two handed firewood axe to great effect in their days of glory. I'm foggy on details but I watched a history channel episode over it so I doubt its untrue.

[arnisador]

Some axe work in this video (from MT) on Indian swordwork:
PFHkVVLJpsI

[arnisador]

Manhunt for two armed robbers (http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,27574,25807817-2682,00.html)


They were armed with an iron bar and a tomahawk and were disguised by balaclavas.

Witnesses said they saw the men threaten staff before they walked behind a counter and took money from a till.

You don't see a lot of tomahawk-related crime being reported!

[arnisador]

A Lost European Culture, Pulled From Obscurity (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/science/01arch.html)