Carl Moore's Axe Instructions

Materials
- 30-inch length of 3/4" PVC
- Almost 7 feet of foam pipe insulation (the kind with the self-adhesive is best)
- Duct Tape
- Razor Knife

Step 1: Cut 5 sections of pipe insulation approx a foot long. Using a
razor knife, cut out a hole in the middle of each section so that it will
slide over your 3/4-inch pipe. The foam is pretty flexible, so I just made
square holes. Remove the backing from the adhesive and let the sections
glue to themselves to make a more rigid tube.

Step 2:  Tape over both ends of the PVC, and make a foam end-cap (the same
way you make a pommel, with extra foam for safety) and tape it up. Tape it
on good because it will hold the axe-head on.

Step 3:  Slide all 5 sections onto your tube and push them up snug against
the end cap. Line them all up together to make an axe head.

Step 4:  Using the razor-knife trim the axe-head to make a curved blade on
each side. Tape up the axe-head running tape in the direction of the
insulation sections, then across.

Step 5:  The axe-handle is going to hit people so it needs padding.
Besides, that teeny-weenie 3/4 inch pipe would look funny up against your
huge axe-head. Measure a length of foam to give yourself a respectable
place to put your hands and push it up against the axe-head and tape it up.

Step 6:  Add a pommel! Tape it on really well, because that's the only
thing that will keep the axe from flying out of your hands.


Technique:  The axe is heavy and packs quite a wallop, but it's slow and not
balanced at all. It will easily overpower lighter weapons which is just
about everything, but if you miss you're dead. The most natural technique
is to charge in with a Viking battle cry and a powerful two-handed swing,
which can be dodged but not blocked. Also, by swinging one-handed (or by
letting go with one hand halfway through the swing) the axe has a
deceptively long reach.

When fighting against an axe quick stabs and sidesteps seem most effective.
Also, the axe-wielder's hands are completely unprotected. You have to dodge
well--don't bother trying to block unless you have a two-handed weapon or
are fighting a small child. Your best bet is to dart in after a missed
swing.