Where to find axes like this?
 

I am looking to find axes like those pictured (not the pattern persay, just the shape and size). Preferred to be real that can be dulled, as the swords we are using will be real. Anyone have any ideas?

http://www.kiukle.com/temp/axe.jpg

Real? I guess I can post this link as none of our sponsors sell these items:
http://www.aurorahistoryboutique.com

That's a lot of weight to be swinging around, though. That's okay for the "hero" props, but for action props I would try creating the action heads out of balsa and covering them with a metal film or sealing and painting. You can get them to look like real metal...at least on camera. Add clash sound FX in post, and the effect is complete.

With wood action props, your talent won't be exhausted from holding that axe all day. Plus, getting hit in the head with a balsa wood axe isn't anywhere near as bad a getting hit with a metal one, dull or otherwise. Accidents do happen, you know.

Just my 2 cents.

Museum Replicas is a pretty good source for stage combat weapons.

But are you planning on fighting with them or just carrying them?

http://www.atlantacutlery.com/websto...e_battaxe.aspx

Couldn't find any of that type at Museum Replicas (division of atlanta cutlery).

Not sure how soon you need it, but I see stuff like that at Gun Shows all the time. They have "real" swords and axes that come out of Pakistan. Also, try the local swap meet (flea market), I've seen items like that there too.

we`ll be doing a bit of fighting with them. About a month and a half of practice first. it won`t be too intensive (risky maneuvers), and anything near dangerous will either be camera angle tricked, or slow motioned so it LOOKS dangerous but its not so much when actors aren`t moving full speed at each other. Its hard to find shorts ones i`m finding. I guess battle axes were really meant to be 2 handed...curse video games for making stuff up ;)

Yeah, the double bladed fantasy battle axes are not real easy to handle, if they're made of steel.

Count on using two hands.

I've got more than twenty years of professional experience doing it... don't attempt it at home. ;)


www.americanjouster.com

a 3 lb axe is hard to handle? At least that was the weight of one of them posted above. I wouldn`t imagine it`d be that difficult.

"Hard to handle" - subjective phrase, but yeah. It can be.

Undestand the physics of the angular momentum of combat. And remember, in stage combat. you're 'pulling' your punches or 'casting' the hit's force beyond the target area.

Pick up a three pound sledge hammer, and hold it at arms length for a while, then start swinging it around.

Now put that three pounds further out on the end of a handle.

Yeah, it can be 'hard to handle'. Takes a bit of skill. More so than a sword, because the axe head causes torgue in the handle.

Swords of honor
 

I bought some great stuff from these guys a few years ago for
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www.swordsofhonor.com

Ahh yea i see what your saying. I can relate after having used the glidecam with my A1. Even holding out a few pounds at arms reach is tough. I never thought about the physics of it. Just figured the guy playing the character is about 5'11" 210 lbs with 15 years Sho du kan (?) and another karate training, so I`m hoping he can handle them *fingers cross* Right now we are just using PVC pipes in place. By the way found some nice black ones through one of these links....niiiice.