Though most associate the cutlass with hand-to-hand boarding action in the Age of Sail many do not realize that the Boarding Axe was every bit as prevalent as a weapon and tool aboard the naval and pirate ships of the 18th and 19th centuries. This recreation has a hand-forged head of high carbon steel which is sturdily mounted and triple-pinned to a hardwood haft and would look right at home at the belt of a Pirate, Naval sailor, French Voyageur or American colonist.
Boarding actions were commonplace in the Age of Sail as the taking of ships as a prize was a fabulously lucrative endeavor for Pirates and Naval seamen alike. In addition to the Cutlass and Boarding Pike a large number of these burly and utilitarian hand axes would be issued to crewmen of a boarding party. Not only were these capable and deadly weapons, but the axes would be needed to clear away fouled and broken rigging, stays and debris which would obstruct the confined deck of a naval ship in battle. Defenders would often retreat into and barricade sections of the vessel in a desperate fight and a handy boarding axe would be needed to smash apart blockaded doors and to break locks and hinges. This is why this axe has a thickened back spike – while it can be used as a deadly weapon the main purpose of the thick spike was for breaching and clearing. The axe blade makes for a fine weapon and tool and could inflict grievous blows.
Many of these issued boarding axes through trade or other means found their way into civilian life and would have been a common sight in the early Americas and it would not be unusual to see them in the possession of Voyageurs or Colonists and it is likely that the Boarding Axe may have influenced many steel variants of the tomahawk.
Not only a tool and a weapon for combat in a naval action, the Boarding Axe was needed for emergency situations aboard ship; numerous stricken vessels managed to save themselves from capsizing in a storm by using their own boarding axes to hack and sever away their own rigging, and to let the sails and spars be blown over the side in a gale to right the ship.
Please Note: If sharpening is ordered for this item we will only sharpen the blade. The pick of the axehead is too thick to be sharpened.
Bing –
Great little axe!!!!! Got the sharping service and asked for it to be extra sharp and boy did they do a great job!!!!! I’ve done some light to medium cutting and chopping with it and everything has held up well with no loosening of the head or damage to the edge………….In it’s price range you really can’t beat this axe!!!!!
John Hurley (verified owner) –
Love this axe and would recommend it to anyone. Great quality, great price and as always great experience from Kult of Athena.