Medieval Steel Hunting Axe

Medieval High Carbon Steel Hunting Axe of Count Gaston

Historical Context and the Master of the Hunt

The concept of this weapon is rooted in the 14th century and is crafted in honour of Count Gaston III of Foix. This famous nobleman, renowned under the moniker Phoebus, entered history as the author of one of the most significant medieval works on hunting, the Livre de Chasse. In the High Middle Ages, hunting axes like this one served well in many of the hunter's activities during his time in nature. They are suitable, for example, for chopping the carcass, removing the hide, but also for cutting through thicker bones. Last but not least, this axe can help with clearing smaller undergrowth.

Anatomy of the Axe: The Story of One of Humanity’s Oldest Weapons

Construction and Technical Details

The imposing steel head holds firmly on the shaft. The head of the axe (also called a wedge or blade) is made of high-carbon steel. This effective, lethal hunting axe has a solid hardwood shaft. The axe is mounted on the shaft and fixed to it with two pins (not a wedge). The shape of the shaft widens towards the end, which minimises the risk of the axe slipping out of the hunter's hand, e.g., when riding a horse.

Safety Warnings and Practical Use

Although the tool appears at first glance to be a fully functional weapon, we must warn you: This is only a decorative object, unsuitable for real use! The weapon lacks the special tempering necessary to absorb heavy impacts. For safety reasons, it is a decorative item unsuitable for practical use, and it cannot be recommended for historical fencing, battles, etc.. Never strike hard materials with it and do not use it for person-to-person contact combat, as this could result in your injury or irreversible damage to the blade.

Care and Recommended Accessories

So that your new pride and joy does not suffer from the ravages of time, it is essential to regularly conserve the surface of the high-carbon steel with a thin layer of gun oil, which will reliably prevent surface corrosion. The wooden shaft will appreciate occasional treatment with linseed oil or beeswax. We recommend you acquire a sturdy leather belt frog and a custom hand-stitched leather edge protector for this axe, which should visually correspond to the historical realities of the 14th century to complete your overall appearance.

Table of Technical Parameters

The technical data listed above may vary slightly from piece to piece.