Circa Boarding axes were used as far back as Viking times. Our replica is a French design, similar to many also found in Sweden. It is called the Hache du Bord or Hache Abordage naval boarding axe. This model has long fore and aft langets, securing the axe to the shaft, while there is an extra langet acting as both a belt or baldric hook and a protective shield for the wood against a cutlass thrust. The head is hand forged and the hardwood shaft has a dark black stain. Made by Windlass Steelcrafts.