Two-Handed Historical Sparth Battle Axe Of Irish Galloglass Mercenaries - Outlet

Two-Handed Historical Sparth Battle Axe Of Irish Galloglass Mercenaries

Historical Origins And The Feared Galloglass Warriors

This Sparth-type axe is precisely crafted based on a surviving historical original that is proudly exhibited in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. In terms of shape, this terrifying tool gradually evolved from the original, highly effective axes of the Norse Vikings. Similar models of such massive weapons were favoured by the elite, heavily armoured warriors known as the Galloglass. These unyielding fighters, who were of mixed Celtic and Viking descent, fiercely dominated the region around the Irish Sea during the turbulent period from the 13th to the 16th century. They were among the most feared mercenaries of their era, and a single blow from their two-handed axe could cleave through even high-quality chainmail armour.

Construction, Materials And Customisable Parameters

The weapon is supplied to customers as a complete and fully functional unit, including a sturdy shaft manufactured from high-quality and resilient ash wood. The axe head itself is highly robust and is forged from solid steel with a thickness of 6 mm (0.24 inches). According to your personal preferences, the blade can be manufactured from unhardened mild steel, or from highly durable hardened spring steel. The surface finish of the steel axe head is also optional, and we offer it in a version with an authentic dark forged patina, or as clean, shiny brushed steel. Furthermore, the weapon's edge is available either as a completely blunt or a sharply honed variant.

Technical Specifications Of The Sparth Axe

Safety Warnings And Practical Usage

Regarding safety, we must warn you that if you select the variant with a sharp edge, it is a highly dangerous weapon. The sharp variant is intended exclusively for decorative purposes or for solo cutting tests on practice targets. For strict safety reasons, it is absolutely not intended for contact stage combat or person-to-person duels! If you plan to use the axe for fencing practice, HEMA tournaments, or stage battles, you must select the blunt edge variant. The blunt variant features a safe striking edge approximately 1.5 to 2.0 mm (0.06 to 0.08 inches) thick, which significantly minimises the risk of injury. For active combat, we strongly advise choosing hardened spring steel, as unhardened mild steel is softer and would quickly develop deep notches upon impact with other weapons.

Care And Maintenance Of Your Historical Weapon

To ensure your axe serves you well for a long time, it requires regular maintenance. The steel axe head is susceptible to rust. After every training session or battle, it is essential to clean the metal of moisture and dirt, and thoroughly preserve it with a thin layer of high-quality gun oil (such as Ballistol). We recommend regularly treating the long ash shaft with beeswax or linseed oil so that the wood remains flexible, does not dry out, and avoids cracking. Protect the wood from prolonged exposure to rain and excessive moisture.

Recommended Accessories

For this magnificent two-handed axe, we highly recommend acquiring a quality leather edge protector, which will prevent accidental injuries during the transport of the weapon to festivals, alongside a sturdy linen or leather bag for the safe and comfortable carrying of the weapon over your shoulder.