How to Make a Medieval Battle Axe

You can make a battle ax to accessorize your costume.

If you are designing a medieval costume for Halloween, theatrical play or a renaissance festival, you can make your costume more authentic with a few accessories. For example, you can make a medieval battle axe to go along with a fighter's costume that will make you look as though you are ready to storm a castle. You can create a realistic-looking battle axe using a shovel handle and some basic craft materials.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel handle, 4 to 6-foot
• Screwdriver
• Cardboard
• Box cutter
• Hot glue gun
• Hot glue stick
• Metallic spray paint, bronze or copper color

Instructions

1. Remove the handle from a shovel using a screwdriver. Discard the shovel head, and set the handle to the side.

2. Cut two double-sided battle axe blades from cardboard using a box cutter. This axe head should be large, at least 1 foot from blade to blade.

3. Place one of the double-blade cutouts onto a table top. Use the glue gun to draw a thick line of glue up the center of the cutout, between the two blades.

4. Place the end of the shove handle (the end that held the shovel head) onto the hot glue, and allow the glue to cool and harden.

5. Squeeze hot glue around the edges of the double blade and onto the end of the shovel handle.

6. Press the second double blade over the first. Squeeze the two into shape around the shaft, and line up the edges of the blades to meet.

7. Spray paint the axe head with metallic paint. Allow the paint to dry completely before using it as a costume accessory.

Tips & Warnings

• Substitute a thick wooden dowel for the axe handle.

• You may paint the axe head black instead of metallic; or, use a dusting of black spray paint to give the axe head a battle-worn look.

• Stain or paint the axe handle, if it looks too new. If you have used a raw wooden dowel, use brown shoe polish to create an aged and weathered look.

References

• Storm the Castle: Make a Medieval Pole Weapon