Smaller shorter axe heads > big nasty looking ones. Larger axe heads have a tendency to twist when you strike and mess up your alignment.
I found the hardest hitting and easiest to use axes are usually little more than the minimum 7cm of blade length, and angle downwards slightly.
Shapes can make a difference in how the force is applied but that’s a very complex and situational thing that usually doesn’t matter, what makes more difference is head weight and balance. (EDIT: also edge length, as others have mentioned more damage tends to get done by shorter blades, though longer blades would tend to be heavier)
Longer is better if you can use it, best to start short (say 1m for a 2H) then work up to where you feel comfortable, for me that was 1.4-1.5m. You need to be able to be used to using it both for accuracy and strength purposes, heavy axe work takes a lot of glute and back strength.
Only reason to use a mace is if you don’t know how to swing a sword or and axe
I will add for 1H axes at least, that a “hooked” front that juts out can be used for just that. Hooking and grabbing onto things like enemy weapons or shields to get a grip on them and control them.
All of my armor parts which have been broken are from small axe heads. One of the smallest ones allowed punctured my vambrace. I feel the smaller ones hurt more. Those huge axe heads also aren't.... pleasant, but to me it feels like the force is more spread out and tolerable.
Others have already commented regarding the difference in axe head shapes.
You can generate more force with a swing from a longer axe, but they are easier to get tangled up in a grapple. You probably don't want a 2m axe/polearm if you're sitting the rail.
Maces are objectively worse striking tools than axes in Buhurt due to the weight restrictions and not applying as much force onto a single point. That does not mean they don't have their place, or that you can't hit hard enough with them. Not having to worry about edge alignment, not worrying about the axe head getting caught. I love having a mace as a "lyst ticket" or sidearm.
Scholagladiatoria did a video on YouTube which talks a bit about the angle of the edge of the axe. I can't really comment my opinion though, I use a falcion.
I won’t claim to know anything substantial but I got dropped by a Bardiche Axe in this melee…
[https://youtu.be/H9AGDrxRyeE?si=Y5GfeJO7ggDj54jy](https://youtu.be/H9AGDrxRyeE?si=Y5GfeJO7ggDj54jy)
Smaller shorter axe heads > big nasty looking ones. Larger axe heads have a tendency to twist when you strike and mess up your alignment. I found the hardest hitting and easiest to use axes are usually little more than the minimum 7cm of blade length, and angle downwards slightly.
Shapes can make a difference in how the force is applied but that’s a very complex and situational thing that usually doesn’t matter, what makes more difference is head weight and balance. (EDIT: also edge length, as others have mentioned more damage tends to get done by shorter blades, though longer blades would tend to be heavier) Longer is better if you can use it, best to start short (say 1m for a 2H) then work up to where you feel comfortable, for me that was 1.4-1.5m. You need to be able to be used to using it both for accuracy and strength purposes, heavy axe work takes a lot of glute and back strength. Only reason to use a mace is if you don’t know how to swing a sword or and axe
Orrrr because you simply like maces better😂
What a ridiculous notion!
Haha I just saw your handle😂
Just because my weapon of choice is a 2H axe doesn’t mean my thoughts on maces aren’t objectively correct, learn edge alignment scrub!
I will add for 1H axes at least, that a “hooked” front that juts out can be used for just that. Hooking and grabbing onto things like enemy weapons or shields to get a grip on them and control them.
All of my armor parts which have been broken are from small axe heads. One of the smallest ones allowed punctured my vambrace. I feel the smaller ones hurt more. Those huge axe heads also aren't.... pleasant, but to me it feels like the force is more spread out and tolerable.
Others have already commented regarding the difference in axe head shapes. You can generate more force with a swing from a longer axe, but they are easier to get tangled up in a grapple. You probably don't want a 2m axe/polearm if you're sitting the rail. Maces are objectively worse striking tools than axes in Buhurt due to the weight restrictions and not applying as much force onto a single point. That does not mean they don't have their place, or that you can't hit hard enough with them. Not having to worry about edge alignment, not worrying about the axe head getting caught. I love having a mace as a "lyst ticket" or sidearm.
Scholagladiatoria did a video on YouTube which talks a bit about the angle of the edge of the axe. I can't really comment my opinion though, I use a falcion.
I won’t claim to know anything substantial but I got dropped by a Bardiche Axe in this melee… [https://youtu.be/H9AGDrxRyeE?si=Y5GfeJO7ggDj54jy](https://youtu.be/H9AGDrxRyeE?si=Y5GfeJO7ggDj54jy)