Two Handed Axes and Shorter Polearms

Our standard lamination method is much better than solid wood, but as the length increases additional strength is helpful.  Our warranty reflects that. 

As the haft gets longer than 30” the amount of force you generate goes up immensely as does the opportunity to use the opponent’s helmet as a fulcrum with poorly aimed blows.  This combination creates a much greater opportunity for breakage. Also, the weapon head is also usually significantly heavier with longer weapons.We strongly suggest the addition of the fiberglass reinforcing and the leather shock panel for greater durability.  Of course, over time and hundreds (thousands) of blows, failures may happen even with these upgrades.

The spread sheet above is to help you understand how our pricing options work.

The base length of a two handed haft is 36”.  With no addons, that haft costs $50.

Each inch of length added increases the price by $1.50.  Thus a 48” shaft has a base price of $68.00*or a 60” haft would begin at $86*.  *(please note minimum dimension for warranty coverage over 48”).  With your base price haft, jute wrapping is included in the lower area of the haft as indicated above. There is a palm swell in the lower inch to assist in retention.  The jute does not cover this area. This jute is single wound and anchored with PVA glue on the sides.  This should keep the jute from ever unraveling.

An increase of width or thickness of the haft also increases the price.  The standard is 1.50” from front to back and 1.25” wide.  This will feel too narrow for people with larger hands and is less tough than a thicker / wider haft, but the main issue is hand grip and comfort.  This is also the minimum size for any haft over 30” but less than 48”.  Above 48”, the minimum dimension is 1.75×1.25” to be warranty covered. Depending on the dimension wanted, the price increases by $9, 12 or $15.  If you have a size desire not listed, we are happy to accommodate.  Nothing will be warrantied at smaller than 1.50” x 1.25”. Please remember the final dimension in the grip area is roughly 1/4” bigger due to the jute wrap.

Leather shock panel:

Depending on the length of the haft, this will be 14”, 20” or 26” in length and will be applied to both the front and back of the haft.
The leather begins 4” below the top of the haft to allow for easy mounting of the weapon head.  If a different gap is needed, please NOTE this in the order.

Jute cover for Leather:

Some people have requested a Jute layer be applied over the leather shock panel area.  This can also be ordered.  This will begin at the top of the leather and extend approximately ¼” below the leather shock panel.  This jute will also be glue secured on the side of the haft like the grip area jute.

Fiberglass reinforcement:

For the ultimate in strength and durability, two fiberglass mesh layers are inserted between the wood slats and epoxied into place.  The order will vary depending on the final thickness of the haft, but typically it will be two layer of wood, a layer of fiberglass mat, a layer of wood, a layer of fiberglass matt and two layers of wood.

This greatly increases the durability of hafts as they get longer than 40”.  Physics allow us to apply much greater leverage as the haft gets longer.  We are also much more likely to hit the haft (instead of the weapon head) into our opponent’s help.  These combine to greatly stress the wood of the haft.  The fiberglass and epoxy add a lot of strength and resilience.  It does NOT mean you can’t / won’t break our hafts.  It means you will do so less frequently and we will send you a replacement if it happens within the warranty period based on your options and haft length.

Regarding authenticity.  This fits in the same category as wearing a plastic athletic cup.  The fiberglass / epoxy layer is roughly 1/3 mm thick and cannot be seen except under very close inspection.  The leather shock panel / Jute wrap further hides any evidence.  If you are deeply concerned, hitting the edge with a black sharpie will hide it quite well.