Dwarven Axes

Lets talk axes for a second here as they are the weapons most associated with Tolkien’s dwarves. One handed axes tended to be shorter than the ones a person would normally use for cutting wood. Meanwhile, the two handed battlefield axes like the Dane Axe are much longer. But one thing that is interesting is that the weight of a battle axe is much lighter than one would expect. This is because all the weight is concentrated in the head, so swinging it is more tiresome than a sword. Due to this, the surface area and thickness of axes in a lot of fantasy works are much bigger than in real life.   Another thing that complicates the use of axes is the reach and accuracy of them. One handed axes suffer from reach issues – already an issue for dwarves. But the big issue is the fact the part of the axe that does damage is much more limited than a sword. The entire blade of a sword is able to hurt an enemy, but only the head of the axe. This means that it is possible to swing an ax past the target and hit with the shaft instead of the head – doing no damage where a sword would.   Now, there are two axe categories not really used in combat. Wood cutting axes have a handle that is sort of in between the lengths of the two combat axes. These could possibly be used as one handed weapons but would probably need better heads. This would get around some of the reach problems while still allowing ease of transport and shield use. The other is executioner axes. They have much larger heads to make sure that the swing did not miss. Because these axes were not used in combat, the extra weight would not be an issue. But dwarves are a bit stronger than most humans. It seems possible then for a dwarf to then use a wood cutting shaft with the head of an executioner axe.   One interesting side effect of this sort of weird hybrid axe is a degree of flexibility that normal axes would not have. The further you hold an ax from the head, you gain power but lose precision. Holding it closer allows better aim at the expense of damage. A shaft short enough to use with one hand but long enough to adjust that distance in meaningful ways means one can shift between a sort of “long” and “short” grip. You will never get the power of the two handed ones of the pure accuracy of the short, but you will get a solid middle and flexible option.   This ability to use it one handed is important. Axes have horrible defensive potential. About the only move I can think of where an axe is able to defend is when it is used to strike the attacking weapon away then used to follow up with a counterstrike. While this might be effective, it makes defense a sort of one trick show. The ability to use it one handed allows the weirder to use one handed shields in conjunction with their axes.   Another factor to take into account with the axe is the fact that its weight is so concentrated in the end. The best combat stance would be to hold it above the head almost vertical or on the shoulder to conserve energy and have it set up for a downward strike. This allows the shield to be already forward oriented as well. Such a combination grants better defense and striking speed without telegraphing an incoming attack or sacrificing power. Keep in mind that a downward strike allows people to hit harder due to gravity providing some help. If the swing is at an angle instead of straight down it can then build momentum for a series of swings that form a sort of an infinity sign, creating follow up strikes.   Ultimately the use of axes makes sense for dwarves in certain contexts. First, it demands the use of specialist axes and one handed shields. Then, it requires an ability to turn the enemy attacks against them. This is done through blocking an enemy attack and striking while they are exposed. Multiple power blows also work as well to batter down enemy defenses and exploit the resulting holes. This and the lack of dexterity of dwarves means that these axes might be the preferred sidearms in all contexts, replacing the sword in other cultures.