Bullova Axe ?

Norman McCormick · 5th August 2008, 05:27 PM

Hi Wayne,
Your axe is similar to mine in that the edge is convex and the weighty bulbous part is in line with the centre of the blade where one would assume the maximum cutting force would be found, I was wondering how effective the ones with the concave centre section were, as far as I can see there is no advantage to the concave ones in fact the reverse i.e. not as effective. I see also that yours could in fact be used in a stabbing motion much like some European polearms. Thanks again.
My Regards,
Norman.

kronckew · 5th August 2008, 06:36 PM

i've seen illustrations of them with concave, straight, convex and multi-pointed shapes, rectangular, etc. googling 'bullova axe' & selecting the images will bring up a bewildering variety, like this image i found googling:

not sure how that was intended to be used either, looks like it might stick in the target...the more usual moustache ones

were noted on one indian blog as being notched in the middle to fit an intended victims neck, tho this seems unlikely to me. not a lot out on the ol' internet...

i read somewhere that the earlier ones were made in two parts, the blade part being riveted to the neck of the eye part, the later ones forged in one piece. in mine it appears the eye & neck were one piece, and the blade and it's neck piece were inserted and hammer forged together, you can see the layers in the following:

Norman McCormick · 5th August 2008, 06:53 PM

Hi Wayne,
I read somewhere the multi spiked variety were intended to go through mail, maybe, maybe not. The neck thing, as you say, seems most unlikely.
Regards,
Norman.

5th August 2008, 05:27 PM	#1
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,633	Hi Wayne, Your axe is similar to mine in that the edge is convex and the weighty bulbous part is in line with the centre of the blade where one would assume the maximum cutting force would be found, I was wondering how effective the ones with the concave centre section were, as far as I can see there is no advantage to the concave ones in fact the reverse i.e. not as effective. I see also that yours could in fact be used in a stabbing motion much like some European polearms. Thanks again. My Regards, Norman.

5th August 2008, 06:36 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,239	i've seen illustrations of them with concave, straight, convex and multi-pointed shapes, rectangular, etc. googling 'bullova axe' & selecting the images will bring up a bewildering variety, like this image i found googling: not sure how that was intended to be used either, looks like it might stick in the target...the more usual moustache ones were noted on one indian blog as being notched in the middle to fit an intended victims neck, tho this seems unlikely to me. not a lot out on the ol' internet... i read somewhere that the earlier ones were made in two parts, the blade part being riveted to the neck of the eye part, the later ones forged in one piece. in mine it appears the eye & neck were one piece, and the blade and it's neck piece were inserted and hammer forged together, you can see the layers in the following:

5th August 2008, 06:53 PM	#3
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,633	Hi Wayne, I read somewhere the multi spiked variety were intended to go through mail, maybe, maybe not. The neck thing, as you say, seems most unlikely. Regards, Norman.