Here is a short clip I made showing the basic defensive motions I use when working with the e-tool. All these motions will work just as well with a hatchet sized axe.

After we got done filming the clip below, we decided to do some bouting with our axes……

Just a short video clip as promised a few posts back.

1. Parry with the poll side of the axe.

2. Parry with the cheek or side of the axe or shaft.

3. Direct block with lead edge then turning to attack.

4. Direct stop with the head of the axe, best done on their hand or forearm.

Another great axe dance fromt he troope in Arizona with Harnas Dragoslav at the head! These guys have been getting better with every clip I see from them..an inspiration to all us axe swingers out there!

Soe just what is the poll you may ask? The poll is the butt or back end of your axe head. A good reference site to keep handy for names of axe parts weapon or tool is the Gransfors site.

So now that we know what a poll is why do we want to use it? Well first off this really only applies to the Slavic axes and not the Hungarian fokos, which by it’s very names says that it has a backed head. Blocking or parrying an incoming blow with the poll does a few things…

First off the poll is very strong and not likely to be damaged

It saves the blade from damage and dulling

It sets up a quick riposte since most likely the edge is now facing your opponent.

Most importantly….it keeps the axes from getting bound together so easy. It will still happen but not as often as when using the front part of your axe to encounter theirs.

If you will note I almost always use the poll to parry with in the video clips I have posted. Other times I will smack with the side or cheek of the blade…I use this most often if I am using a backed head.  It is also possible to parry or block with the lead edge of your haft as long as you quickly twist the handle to the back edge upon impact.

Now is this what the fellow on the left in this picture is doing? I would like to think yes but really have no idea. My guess is they are dancing but once you bang axes together it soon becomes clear that you cannot meet them face to face and expect to keep your own axe free and mobile. I will try to get a clip up soon demonstrating the differences between the various ways to engage your opponents weapon.

Below is a picture that shows my wooden trainer, my brass and my leather headed ciupagas.

Next up my training fokos….in all honesty the wooden one is so heavy that it might be a bit more deadly than the metal one:) We take great care when using that!

Threw this together yesterday at the end of our regular training session. After watching this it was evident to me that i am no good at pretending to have my axe knocked out of my hands…..I look like I throw it:)

 A Polish dance troupe dancing the Zbojnicki…a bandit dance.