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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2006 20:43:03 GMT
Hammer head 2 1/2", Spike 5 1/2", Length 30", Weight 3 lbs. This is really an ideal weapon for fighting a man in full plate armor. The cool thing about the hammer is that it is not a flat surface. The surface resembles that of an inverse pyramid. The result is that when it hits you get a lot of presure focused on the four corners. This is better then a spike because the hammer side won't get suck in the plate. Of course if you got you man down and you want to make that killer blow, you can use the spike side to go through the helmet. Overall 21 1/2", Head-1" X 5", Weight 2 lbs
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2006 5:12:44 GMT
Nice, the spike is less likely to get stuck in through plate though, thasn the tip because the tip is like a bell shape, when the bell shape goes through, th ewider part is on the inside, as opposed to the spike always having less material inside the hole after peircing.
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Post by rammstein on Dec 29, 2006 18:01:59 GMT
on the contrary, I've seen a warhammer displayed in germany that has a long thin spike litereally 2 feet long. Seems a bit excessive, but it look sharp and lethal.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2006 20:24:47 GMT
There are many variations. Some better for pentrating the armor, others for putting a very uncomfortable dent. I choose the two pictures above for that reason. The first one looks like it would have better penetrating ability. The downside is you may get your weapon stuck. The second weapon pictures looks less likely to get stuck, but you are also less likely to score an instant kill through the helmet.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2007 18:38:49 GMT
interesting, i have to say this is the first time i have ever learned about the warhammer. thanks guys
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2007 23:25:33 GMT
Warhammers are impressive and useful weapons. When platemail came into widespread use many warriors moved onto hammers.
I don't have a picture of it, but I personally prefer this type:
The head is a large, flattened-bell shaped piece of steel. This means that, when used against the opponent, the apex of the bell carries all of the pressure to create huge dents in the armor. This effectively closed up the armor, and, when used on the chest, would cause it to collapse on the chest thus imparing breathing. The opposite side has the usual balancing spike that can also be used to penetrate the helmet or other to impale the opponent.
Usually you'd take this style of warhammer, bang 'em across the chest as much as you could (to impare breathing), then, as they lay on the ground either trying to breath or passed out from lack of breath, you can decide to kill or leave them. You didn't have to kill them with the spike since they'd often just die from not being able to breathe. At any rate, they're not going to run after you. You can also use this kind of warhammer on legs and I've even heard one story where a knight was hit on the foot, which collapsed the boot around his foot.
The only real downfall of this type of warhammer is that was rarely made and the bell shape would usually flatten out totally (but you could cut out the V shape, as in the picture up top, to make it useful again) after long use.
L.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2007 0:02:03 GMT
I know nothing about warhammers, but, would it not be a bad idea if the spike was more of a super stout sickle blade so one would have an easier time pulling it out of armor?
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Post by rammstein on Jan 17, 2007 0:04:07 GMT
why would that make it easier to pull out? Frankly, thats just one more thing to sharpen, and it works well blunted. Having it sharp would also reduce the metal of the blade, continually wearing it down.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2007 1:21:49 GMT
The spike was usually rounded and wider at it's base. It was plenty easy to pull out.
L.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2007 2:57:53 GMT
you make good points (no pun intended) my reasoning was that if the spike had a blade (no sharper than a hot cutter) then when it was caught in armor you could use your warhammer like a big lever and rip cut the spike out through the armor.
.....but it was just a thought, after all, I've never actually handled a warhammer
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Post by jpfranco on Jan 17, 2007 13:44:39 GMT
The war hammer was desing to defeat plated armour at a time when swords were less effective. The hammer is design to both crush and pierce the armour. The spike is vital to this weapon, do not forget that in the 14th and 15th centuries, battle axes were also equiped with spikes. English war hammer: 25 1/4" long, head is 6 1/2" wide and the weight is 1 3/4lbs 15th century Axe: 25" long, head is 6 1/2" wide and the weight is 2 3/4 lbs. Note that the spikes are long enough to be able to pierce the plate, mail, gambeson and flesh.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2007 20:21:54 GMT
Nice pics jpfranco.
I think that if the warhammer (or battle axe) is going to be used with two hands, then the back spike would normaly not be used untill your have defeated your man and now ready to put the killer spike into his head.
If you are using a warhammer (or battle axe) with one hand and sheild in the other... then I think you will find yourself in many instances that you must use the backspike because of your positioning.... such as, if you are pushing forward with your sheild. Generaly if you have shield contact with your opponent, and you don't want to release, you best shot may be a "wrap" that hits with the back of the weapon.
To make this more clear, if you start with your hand back and swing it in accross your chest, you will see that there is a point where you hand naturly rotates from a suplinated position (palm up) to a pronated position (palm down) as it comes accross your chest. Sometimes hitting with the back edge is you only choice, that is why the make most swords double-edged.
There are also instances with the two-handded warhammer where hitting with the back edge is your best choice. A simple example might be where you bind the weapons hard and are able to offset your opponent. From there in the bind you can bring the weapon straight back to his head with the backside. Such a short strike from that position will have much less power, so having a spike on the backside to concentrate the impact would be more effective.
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Post by jpfranco on Jan 17, 2007 21:57:18 GMT
I agree, the hammer was desing to do both: crush and pierce.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2007 0:12:32 GMT
thats very interesting thank you tsafa/franco.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2007 1:05:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2007 1:28:05 GMT
Karm to you samsalvati. That warhammer is an awesome peice of work. Your other works are nice too, but this one really got my attention.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2007 2:24:44 GMT
Karm to you samsalvati. That warhammer is an awesome peice of work. Your other works are nice too, but this one really got my attention. Thanks man, I really appreciate it. I take commissions if you want to order one like it? It is a real smasher, all steel yet it is light and balances REALLY well in my(or your) hand. Smashes things REALLY well, the upset part on the head/face is hardened, and tempered a bit, as is the spike, differentially speaking hehe. I still hae to add the braided leather handle lanyard. And please, call me Sam:D.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2007 1:31:52 GMT
You actually crafted this? If so do you craft for sale?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2007 5:54:42 GMT
This is what I have to say on the subject of warhammers...
"Take THAT plate armor! HA!" *smash*
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2007 22:22:14 GMT
THIS is a war hammer.
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