In earlier ages the axes taken to a battle were the same ones used in everyday work That, however, is not the case with this axe; it was made for war. The down curved, wedge shaped blade coupled with the curved shaft made for a very powerful cutting arc that could shear through mail and badly damage the simple plate that was in use at the time. When reversed, all of the force of the blow was concentrated on the back hammer poll and could crush a helmet. In the hands of a mounted knight this type of heavy headed axe was devastating to men on the ground and on horseback alike. It could split mail helms and shields, and the extended back poll could easily crush bone. The curve of the hardwood shaft added to the power of the blow. An excellent fighting axe and a devastating ?high-tech? weapon for its age.