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{{Short description|Type of wedge tool}}
{{About|the cutting tool||Axe (disambiguation)|and|Axed (disambiguation)|and|Axes (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|Ax||AX (disambiguation){{!}}AX}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2016}}
[[File:Felling axe.jpg|thumb|Double- and single-bit felling axes]]
[[File:ALB - Hortfund Groß Gaglow.jpg|thumb|A collection of [[bronze]] socketed axe blades from the [[Bronze Age]] found in Germany. This was the prime tool of the period, and also seems to have been used as a store of value.]]
An '''axe''' ({{IPAc-en|æ|k|s}}; sometimes spelled '''ax''' in [[American English]]; [[American and British English spelling differences#Miscellaneous spelling differences|see spelling differences]]) is an implement that has been used for thousands of years to shape, split, and cut wood, to harvest timber, and as a weapon. The axe has many forms and specialised uses but generally consists of a head with a handle (also called "haft" or "helve").

Before the modern axe, the [[Stone Age|stone-age]] [[hand axe]] without a handle was used from 1.5 million years [[Before Present|BP]]. Hafted axes (those with a handle) date only from 6,000 BC. The earliest examples of handled axes have heads of stone with some form of wooden handle attached ([[hafting|hafted]]) in a method to suit the available materials and use. Axes made of [[copper]], [[bronze]], [[iron]] and [[steel]] appeared as these technologies developed.

The axe is an example of a [[simple machine]], as it is a type of [[Wedge (mechanical device)|wedge]], or dual [[inclined plane]]. This reduces the effort needed by the wood chopper. It splits the wood into two parts by the pressure concentration at the blade. The handle of the axe also acts as a [[Lever#Third-class levers|lever]] allowing the user to increase the force at the cutting edge. Generally, cutting axes, which are used for [[felling]], [[limbing]], and [[Log bucking|bucking]], have a shallow (acute) wedge angle, whereas splitting axes have a deeper (more obtuse) angle. Most axes are double bevelled (i.e. symmetrical about the axis of the blade), but some specialist [[broadaxe]]s have a single bevel blade.

Most modern axes have steel heads and wooden handles, although plastic or [[fibreglass]] handles are also common. Modern axes are specialised by use, size and form. Hafted axes with short handles designed for use with one hand are often called "hand axes" but the term "hand axe" refers to axes without handles as well. [[Hatchet]]s tend to be small hafted axes often with a hammer on the back side (the poll). As an easy-to-make tool, the axe has frequently been used in combat, and is one of humanity's oldest weapons.

==History==
[[File:Kokerbijl van het Plainseautype in brons, 925 tot 800 VC, vindplaats- Maaseik, Heppeneert, Wayerveld, collectie Gallo-Romeins Museum Tongeren, He 1.jpg|thumb|Bronze socketed axe from the Heppeneert hoard (Belgium), about 800 BCE, collection of the [[King Baudouin Foundation]], [[Gallo-Roman Museum, Tongeren|Gallo-Roman Museum (Tongeren)]]]]
[[File:Brescia Monte pietà romani1 by Stefano Bolognini.JPG|thumb|upright|Roman axes in an ancient Roman relief in [[Brescia]], [[Italy]]]]
[[File:Shang Bronze Yue 2.jpg|thumb|[[Shang dynasty]] axe]]
[[Hand axe]]s, of [[Rock (geology)|stone]], and used without handles (hafts) were the first axes. They had [[Knapping|knapped]] (chipped) cutting edges of [[Flint axe|flint]] or other stone. Early examples of hand axes date back to 1.6 mya in the later Oldowan,<ref>Leakey, M. D. 1972. ''Olduvai Gorge''. Vol 3. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.</ref> in Southern [[Ethiopia]] around 1.4 mya,<ref>{{cite journal|pmid=1465142|year=1992|author1=Asfaw, B.|author2=Beyene, Y.|author3=Suwa, G.|author4=Walter, R. C.|author5=White, T. D.|author6=Woldegabriel, G.|author7=Yemane, T.|title=The earliest Acheulean from Konso-Gardula|volume=360|issue=6406|pages=732–5|doi=10.1038/360732a0|journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]|bibcode=1992Natur.360..732A|s2cid=4341455}}</ref> and in 1.2 mya deposits in [[Olduvai Gorge]].<ref name="FoleyLewin2003">{{cite book|author1=Foley, Robert Andrew|author2=Lewin, Roger|title=Principles of Human Evolution|year=2003|publisher=Wiley|isbn=978-0-632-04704-8}}</ref> Stone axes made with ''[[Grind|ground]]'' cutting edges were first developed sometime in the late [[Pleistocene]] in [[Indigenous Australians|Australia]], where grind-edge axe fragments from sites in [[Arnhem Land]] date back at least 44,000 years;<ref>{{cite journal| last1 = Hiscock | first1 = P. | last2 = O'Connor | first2 = S. | last3 = Balme | first3 = J. | last4 = Maloney | first4 = T. | year = 2016 | title = World's earliest ground-edge axe production coincides with human colonisation of Australia  | journal = Australian Archaeology | volume = 82 | issue = 1 | pages = 2–11 | doi=10.1080/03122417.2016.1164379 | s2cid = 147777782 | doi-access =  }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Geneste | first1 = J.-M. | last2 = David | first2 = B. | last3 = Plisson | first3 = H. | last4 = Clarkson | first4 = C. | last5 = Delannoy | first5 = J.-J. | last6 = Petchey | first6 = F. | last7 = Whear | first7 = R. | year = 2010 | title = Earliest evidence for ground-edge axes: 35,400 ± 410 cal BP from Jawoyn Country, Arnhem Land | journal = Australian Archaeology | volume = 71 | issue = 1 | pages = 66–69 | doi=10.1080/03122417.2010.11689385 | hdl = 10289/5067 | s2cid = 134077798 | hdl-access = free }}</ref> grind-edge axes were later present in [[Japan]] some time around 38,000 BP, and are known from several [[Upper Palaeolithic]] sites on the islands of [[Honshu]] and [[Kyushu]].<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Takashi | first1 = T. | year = 2012 | title = MIS3 edge-ground axes and the arrival of the first Homo sapiens in the Japanese archipelago | journal = Quaternary International | volume = 248 | pages = 70–78 | doi=10.1016/j.quaint.2011.01.030 | bibcode = 2012QuInt.248...70T }}</ref> 
Hafted axes are first known from the [[Mesolithic]] period ({{Circa|6000 BC}}). Few wooden hafts have been found from this period, but it seems that the axe was normally hafted by [[Wedge|wedging]]. [[Birch-tar]] and [[Rawhide (material)|rawhide]] [[Lashing (ropework)|lashings]] were used to fix the blade.{{CN|date=October 2024}}

The distribution of stone axes is an important indication of prehistoric [[trade]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Micu |first1=Alexandru |title=Around 4,500 years ago, Vietnamese stone-age traders traveled hundreds of kilometers to sell their wares |url=https://www.zmescience.com/science/vitenam-trade-stone-ancient/ |website=zmescience.com |date=21 August 2017 |access-date=23 October 2020 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026210014/https://www.zmescience.com/science/vitenam-trade-stone-ancient/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Thin sectioning is used to determine the [[Provenance (geology)|provenance]] of the stone blades. In [[Europe]], [[Neolithic]] "axe factories", where thousands of ground stone axes were roughed out, are known from many places, such as:{{CN|date=October 2024}}

* [[Langdale axe industry|Great Langdale]], England ([[tuff]])
* [[Rathlin Island]], Ireland ([[porcellanite]])
* [[Krzemionki]], Poland (flint)
* [[Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes]], Belgium (flint)
* [[Plancher-les-Mines]], France ([[pelite]])
* [[Aosta Valley]], Italy ([[omphacite]]).

Metal axes are still produced and in use today in parts of [[Papua (province)|Papua]], [[Indonesia]]. The [[Mount Hagen]] area of [[Papua New Guinea]] was an important production centre.{{CN|date=October 2024}}

From the late [[Neolithic]]/[[Chalcolithic]] onwards, axes were made of [[copper]] or copper mixed with [[arsenic]]. These axes were flat and hafted much like their stone predecessors. Axes continued to be made in this manner with the introduction of [[Bronze]] [[metallurgy]]. Eventually the hafting method changed and the flat axe developed into the "flanged axe", then [[palstave]]s, and later winged and socketed axes.{{CN|date=October 2024}}

{{multiple image |align=center
|image1=Franks HouseDSCF7155.jpg|caption1=Hand axes from Swanscombe at the [[British Museum]] that belongs to [[Swanscombe Heritage Park|Swanscombe Man]] who lived 200,000–300,000 years ago |width1=280
|image2=CMOC Treasures of Ancient China exhibit - bronze battle axe.jpg|caption2=A bronze axe from the Chinese [[Shang dynasty]], 12th to 11th centuries BC
|image3=Zhejiang Provincial Museum 38.jpg|caption3=Various [[Warring States period]] axes
}}{{Clear}}

==Symbolism, ritual, and folklore==
[[File:13th Cent. BC Unique Shang Hafted Axe with Jade (Nephrite) Blade.jpg|thumb|Jade axe, [[Shang dynasty]]]]
{{Hiero|1=Axe|2=<hiero>T7</hiero>|align=left|era=egypt}}{{Hiero|1=Axe alternative|2=<hiero>T7A</hiero>|align=left|era=egypt}}
At least since the late [[Neolithic]], elaborate axes (battle-axes, T-axes, etc.) had a [[Religion|religious]] significance and probably indicated the exalted [[Social status|status]] of their owner. Certain types almost never show traces of [[wear]]; deposits of unshafted axe blades from the middle Neolithic (such as at the [[Somerset Levels]] in Britain) may have been gifts to the [[deity|deities]].
[[File:Old axes.jpg|thumb|A collection of old Australian cutting tools including [[broad axe]]s, broad hatchets, mortising axes, carpenter's axes, and felling axes. Also five [[adze]]s, a corner chisel, two [[froe]]s, and a [[twybil]].]]{{CN|date=October 2024}}

In [[Minoan civilization|Minoan]] [[Crete]], the double axe ([[labrys]]) had a special significance, used by priestesses in religious ceremonies.{{CN|date=October 2024}}

In 1998, a labrys, complete with an elaborately embellished haft, was found at Cham-Eslen, [[Canton of Zug]], [[Switzerland]]. The haft was {{convert|120|cm|abbr=on}} long and wrapped in ornamented [[Birch bark|birch-bark]]. The axe blade is {{convert|17.4|cm|abbr=on}} long and made of [[antigorite]], mined in the [[Gotthard Pass|Gotthard]]-area. The haft goes through a biconical drilled hole and is fastened by wedges of antler and by birch-tar. It belongs to the early [[Cortaillod culture]].{{CN|date=October 2024}}

The [[coat of arms of Norway]] features a lion rampant carrying an axe which represents King [[Olaf II of Norway]], who was honoured as the [[Rex Perpetuus Norvegiae|Eternal King of Norway]].{{CN|date=October 2024}}

[[File:Coat of arms of Tórshavn.svg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|Axe pictured in the coat of arms of [[Tórshavn]]]]

In [[folklore]], stone axes were sometimes believed to be [[thunderbolt]]s and were used to guard buildings against [[lightning]], as it was believed ([[Rumor|mythically]]) that lightning never struck the same place twice. This has caused some skewing of axe distributions.{{CN|date=October 2024}}

[[Steel]] axes were important in [[superstition]] as well. A [[Axe throwing|thrown]] axe could keep off a [[hail]]storm, sometimes an axe was placed in the [[crops]], with the cutting edge to the skies to protect the harvest against bad [[weather]]. An upright axe buried under the [[sill plate|sill]] of a house would keep off [[Witchcraft|witches]], while an axe under the [[bed]] would assure [[male]] [[offspring]].{{CN|date=October 2024}}

[[Basque people|Basques]], [[Australia]]ns and [[New Zealanders]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Arnold |first1=Naomi |url=https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/block-busters/ |title=Geography: Block busters |website=nzgeo.com |access-date=23 October 2020 |archive-date=6 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106141238/https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/block-busters/ |url-status=live }}</ref> have developed variants of rural sports that perpetuate the traditions of [[Woodchopping|log cutting]] with axe. The Basque variants, [[Wood splitting|splitting]] horizontally or vertically disposed logs, are generically called ''[[aizkolaritza]]'' (from ''aizkora'': axe).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.axemanscomplex.com.au/history.html |title=History of the Australian Axeman's Hall of Fame & Timberworks &#124; Latrobe &#124; Tasmania &#124; Australia |publisher=Axemanscomplex.com.au |access-date=2020-02-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426045230/http://www.axemanscomplex.com.au/history.html |archive-date=2012-04-26 }}</ref>

In [[Yoruba religion|Yorùbá mythology]], the oshe (double-headed axe) symbolises [[Shango]], [[Orisha]] (god) of thunder and lightning. It is said to represent swift and balanced justice. Shango altars often contain a carved figure of a woman holding a gift to the god with a double-bladed axe sticking up from her head.{{CN|date=October 2024}}

The [[Hurrian]] and [[Hittites|Hittite]] weather god [[Teshub]] is depicted on a bas-relief at [[Ivriz]] wielding a thunderbolt and an axe.{{CN|date=October 2024}}

The [[Arkalochori Axe]] is a bronze, Minoan, axe from the second millennium BC thought to be used for religious purposes. Inscriptions on this axe have been compared with other ancient writing systems.{{CN|date=October 2024}}
{{Clear}}

[[File:An axe labelled-2edit.svg|thumb|upright|A diagram showing the main points on an axe]]

==Types of axes==

===Axes designed to cut or shape wood===
[[File:Axt zum spalten1.jpg|thumb|upright|Splitting axe]]
[[File:Carpenter's axe.jpg|thumb|upright|A Swedish carpenter's axe]]

* [[Broadaxe]]: Used with the grain of the wood in precision splitting or "[[hewing]]" (i.e. the squaring-off of round timbers usually for use in construction). Broad axe bits are most commonly [[chisel]]-shaped (i.e. one flat and one beveled edge) facilitating more controlled work as the flat cheek passes along the squared timber.
* [[Adze]]: A variation featuring a head perpendicular to that of an axe. Rather than splitting wood side-by-side, it is used to [[Rip cut|rip]] a level surface into a horizontal piece of wood. It can also be used as a [[pickaxe]] for breaking up rocks and [[clay]].
* [[Hatchet]]: A small, light axe designed for use in one hand specifically while [[camping]] or [[travel]]ling.
* [[Carpenter's axe]]: A small axe, usually slightly larger than a hatchet, used in traditional [[Woodworking|woodwork]], [[Woodworking joints|joinery]] and [[Log building|log-building]]. It has a pronounced beard and finger notch to allow a "choked" grip for precise control. The poll is designed for use as a hammer.
* [[Hand axe]]: A small axe used for intermediate chopping, similar to hatchets.
* [[Mortise and tenon|Mortising]] axe: Used for creating mortises, a process which begins by [[drilling]] two holes at the ends of the intended mortise. Then the wood between the holes is removed with the mortising axe. Some forms of the tool have one blade, which may be pushed, swung or struck with a [[mallet]]. Others, such as twybil, bisaigüe and piochon have two, one of which is used for separating the fibres, and the other for levering out the waste.<ref>Johan David. [http://www.mot.be/w/1/index.php/Reading/NotesSurTroisOutilsAnciensDuCharpentier "Notes sur trois outils anciens du charpentier : le bondax, la bisaiguë, le piochon"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028220318/http://www.mot.be/w/1/index.php/Reading/NotesSurTroisOutilsAnciensDuCharpentier |date=28 October 2011 }}, ''Revue des archéologues et historiens d'art de Louvain 10''. 1977.</ref>

===Axes as weapons===
[[File:Beheading duke somerset.jpg|thumb|upright|The execution of the [[Edmund Beaufort (died 1471)|Duke of Somerset]] after the [[Battle of Tewkesbury]] in 1471]]
* [[Battle axe]]: In its most common form, an arm-length weapon borne in one or both hands. Compared to a sword swing, it delivers more cleaving power against a smaller target area, making it more effective against armour, due to concentrating more of its weight in the axehead.{{original research inline|date=August 2016}}
* [[Dagger-axe]] (Ji or Ge): A variant of Chinese [[polearm]]-like weapon with a divided two-part head, composed of the usual straight blade and a [[scythe]]-like blade. The straight blade is used to stab or feint, then the foe's body or head may be cut by pulling the scythe-like horizontal blade backwards. Ge has the horizontal blade but sometimes does not have the straight spear.
* [[Dane axe]]: a long-handled weapon with a large flat blade, often attributed to the [[Norsemen]].
* [[Halberd]]: a spear-like weapon with a hooked poll, effective against mounted [[cavalry]].
* [[Head axe]]: a type of thin-bladed axe with a distinctive shape specialized for [[headhunting]] from the [[Cordilleran peoples]] of the Philippines.
* [[Hurlbat]]: An entirely metal throwing axe sharpened on every auxiliary end to a point or blade, practically guaranteeing some form of damage against its target.
* [[Ono (weapon)|Ono]]: a [[Japanese people|Japanese]] weapon wielded by ''[[sōhei]]'' [[warrior monk]]s.
* [[Panabas]]: A chopping bladed tool or weapon from the Philippines often described as a cross between a sword and a battle axe.
* [[Parashu]]: The '''parashu''' ({{langx|sa|paraṣu}}) is an Indian battle-axe. It is generally wielded with two hands but could also be used with only one. It is depicted as the primary weapon of [[Parashurama]], the 6th Avatar of Lord [[Vishnu]] in [[Hinduism]].
* [[Poleaxe]]: designed to defeat [[plate armour]]. Its axe (or hammer) head is much narrower than other axes, which accounts for its penetrating power.
* [[Sagaris]]: An ancient weapon used by [[Scythians]].
* [[Shepherd's axe]]: used by shepherds in the [[Carpathian Mountains]], it could double as a walking stick.
* [[Throwing axe]]: A weapon that was thrown and designed to strike with a similar splitting action as its handheld counterparts. These are often small in profile and usable with one hand.
* [[Tomahawk]]: used almost exclusively by Native Americans, its blade was originally crafted of stone. Along with the familiar war version, which could be fashioned as a throwing weapon, the pipe tomahawk was a ceremonial and diplomatic tool.
* [[Battle axe#China|Yue]]: A Chinese weapon with very large axe blade, also served as [[ceremonial weapon]].

===Axes as tools=== <!-- [[Fire axe]] redirects here -->

* [[Ice axe]] or '''climbing axe''': A number of different styles of ice axes are designed for [[ice climbing]] and enlarging steps used by climbers.
* [[Mattock]]: A dual-purpose axe, combining an adze and axe blade, or sometimes a pick and adze blade.
* [[Pickaxe]]: An axe with a large pointed end, rather than a flat blade. Sometimes exists as a double-bladed tool with a pick on one side and an axe or adze head on the other. Often used to break up hard material.
* [[Pulaski (tool)|Pulaski]]: An axe with a [[mattock]] blade built into the rear of the main axe blade, used for digging ('grubbing out') through and around roots as well as chopping. 
* [[Splitting maul]]: A splitting implement that has evolved from the simple "wedge" design to more complex designs.

==Hammer axe==
Hammer axes (or axe-hammers) typically feature an extended poll, opposite the blade, shaped and sometimes hardened for use as a [[hammer]]. The name axe-hammer is often applied to a characteristic shape of perforated stone axe used in the [[Neolithic]] and [[Bronze Age]]s. Iron axe-hammers are found in Roman military contexts, e.g. [[Cramond]], [[Edinburgh]], and [[South Shields]], [[Tyne and Wear]].{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}

==See also==
* [[Axe murder]]
* [[Cleaving axe]]
* [[Corded Ware culture]]
* [[Fasces]]
* [[Kaiser blade]]
* [[Nzappa zap]]
* [[Sagaris]]

'''Related forestry terms'''
* [[Felling]]
* [[Hewing]]
* [[Limbing]]
* [[Pruning]]
* [[Splitting maul]]
* [[Woodchopping]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
'''Neolithic axes'''
* Borkowski, W. (1995). ''Krzemionki mining complex''. Warsaw.
* Bradley, R.; Edmonds, M. (1993). ''Interpreting the axe trade: production and exchange in Neolithic Britain''.
* Pétrequin, P. (1995). ''La hache de pierre: carrières vosgiennes et échanges de lames polies pendant le néolithique (5400 – 2100 av. J.-C.)''. (''exposition musées d'Auxerre Musée d'Art et d'Histoire''). Paris: Ed. Errance {{in lang|fr}}.
* Pétrequin P.; Pétrequin, A.M. (1993). ''Écologie d'un outil: la hache de pierre en [[Irian Jaya]] (Indonésie)''. Paris: CNRS Éditions, Mongr. du Centre Rech. Arch. 12 {{in lang|fr}}.

'''Medieval axes'''
* Schulze, André (editor) (2007). ''Mittelalterliche Kampfesweisen. Band 2: Kriegshammer, Schild und Kolben''. Mainz am Rhein: Zabern. {{ISBN|3-8053-3736-1}} {{in lang|de}}.

'''Modern axes'''
* Kauffman, Henry J. (1994). ''American Axes: A Survey of their Development and their Makers''. Elverson, Pennsylvania: Olde Springfield Shoppe. 152 pp. {{ISBN|188329412-6}}.
* {{cite book |last1=Klenman |first1=Allan |last2=McPhail |first2=Larry |title=Axe Makers of North America: A Collection of Axe History & Manufacturers |date=2006 |publisher=Print & Copy Factory LLC |location=Bellingham, Washington |isbn=0-9690755-4-5}} 160 pp.
* McLeod, Brett (2020). ''American Axe: The Tool That Shaped A Continent''. North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing. 192 pp. {{ISBN|978-1-63586-139-6}}.
* Reissinger, Gottfried (1959). ''Die Konstruktionsgrundlagen der Axt''. Hamburg: Parey. {{ISBN|978-3490211163}} {{in lang|de}}.

'''Superstition'''
* H. Bächtold-Stäubli, H. (1987). ''Handwörterbuch des deutschen Aberglaubens''. Berlin: De Gruyter {{in lang|de}}.

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{wiktionary}}
{{Commons}}
{{Commons category|Axes}}
* Section about types of axes is originally based on a [[Quicksilver Wiki]] article at {{URL|1=http://www.metaweb.com/wiki/wiki.phtml?title=A_Glossary_of_Terms_For_Traditional_Timber_Framing_(Timberbee)|2=the timber framing glossary}} under the terms of the [[GNU Free Documentation License]].

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