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J. Padgett




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PostPosted: Sat 27 Aug, 2005 2:46 pm    Post subject: Albion's Type M 'Grendel' Breidox         Reply with quote

http://www.albion-swords.com/axes/grendel.htm

Does anyone have personal experience with one of these bad boys? How long of a haft would you put on something this monstrous? I'm thinking of ordering one to keep my Gotland company as soon as I can scrounge a spare sixty bucks. I'd love to hear impressions from people who have seen, or swung one.

"The truth shall make ye fret."
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Kenneth Enroth




Location: Finland
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PostPosted: Sat 27 Aug, 2005 3:18 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Has something that size ever been dug up or is it fantasy?

Oversized axe head on a broomstick. Laughing Out Loud

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J. Padgett




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PostPosted: Sat 27 Aug, 2005 3:45 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Holy crap! Eek!

The site says "This "type M" axe can be seen in Oakeshott's The Archeology of Weapons, pages 153-154," but I don't have the book so I have no idea if they are the same size.

"The truth shall make ye fret."
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Kenneth Enroth




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PostPosted: Sat 27 Aug, 2005 3:50 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

There is a small drawing on page 154 but no measurements or any mention of unusual size.
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Alex Oster




Location: Washington and Yokohama
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PostPosted: Sat 27 Aug, 2005 5:27 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Is that one you own in the pic?
The pen is mightier than the sword, especially since it can get past security and be stabbed it into a jugular.
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Jean Thibodeau




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PostPosted: Sat 27 Aug, 2005 8:02 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Can't remember which book, but I remember ONE of this size being found: So these are credible historically as well as incredibly big.

I have the next size down that is also called a type M Viking instead of Grendel: The edge of this one is 12" inches wide and it's really heavy ! I can only guess at the weight of the Grendel with an 18" wide cutting edge ( Well I think Albion has it at around 6 pounds. )

The haft does seem a big anemic compared to the axe head, I would want it as stout as possible and still small enough around to hold in the hand? I am curious about how the haft is mounted and the size of eye of the axe: It looks off centre to me ?

With an axe head this huge everything else just looks out of proportion small.

One use I could imagine for this size would be " intimidation ": A Viking rading party sends a guy with one of these in the middle of the night and leaves it wedged into the door of a rich monastary with a note attached asking for
" Danegeld " ( Protection money ). Just a joke but it might be the axe equivalent to the oversized twohanded bearing swords.

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George Hill




Location: Atlanta Ga
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PostPosted: Sat 27 Aug, 2005 9:34 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

How's it feel on the end of a haft?
To abandon your shield is the basest of crimes. - --Tacitus on Germania
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Kenneth Enroth




Location: Finland
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PostPosted: Sun 28 Aug, 2005 12:57 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Alex Oster wrote:
Is that one you own in the pic?


No.
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Kenneth Enroth




Location: Finland
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PostPosted: Sun 28 Aug, 2005 1:01 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

George Hill wrote:
How's it feel on the end of a haft?


Hopefully a bit lighter than it looks.
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Kenneth Enroth




Location: Finland
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PostPosted: Sun 28 Aug, 2005 1:08 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Jean Thibodeau wrote:
Can't remember which book, but I remember ONE of this size being found: So these are credible historically as well as incredibly big.

I have the next size down that is also called a type M Viking instead of Grendel: The edge of this one is 12" inches wide and it's really heavy ! I can only guess at the weight of the Grendel with an 18" wide cutting edge ( Well I think Albion has it at around 6 pounds. )

The haft does seem a big anemic compared to the axe head, I would want it as stout as possible and still small enough around to hold in the hand? I am curious about how the haft is mounted and the size of eye of the axe: It looks off centre to me ?


I can't tell you about the construction as I just googled the pic but the eye looks really big and the axe would look awesome with the right haft. It should be thick close to the eye and then taper down so you can grip it.

Didn't these axes (Albion) have problems with breaking?
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Steve Grisetti




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PostPosted: Sun 28 Aug, 2005 3:38 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Kenneth Enroth wrote:
Alex Oster wrote:
Is that one you own in the pic?
No.

The picture appears to have been taken in the US, rather than Finland. Note the USPS box on the floor, and the 60Hz-110V power outlets on the wall.
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Vince Labolito




Location: Tallahassee, FL
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PostPosted: Sun 28 Aug, 2005 5:45 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I believe that young man's name is Gregory Liebau. He used to post a great deal over at SFI, and I think I've seen him post here as well. He's from California.
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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Patrick Kelly




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PostPosted: Sun 28 Aug, 2005 6:27 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Yes, that's Gregory. That's a haft he put on that axe himself, it isn't a stock Albion job.
"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
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J. Padgett




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PostPosted: Sun 28 Aug, 2005 8:04 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Reading the dimensions is one thing, but seeing the axe in that picture is quite another. It might cross the line between intimidating, and ridiculous. Big Grin I don't suppose Gregory ever posted his impressions of the axe? My searches here, and over at SFI came up with nothing.
"The truth shall make ye fret."
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Patrick Kelly




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PostPosted: Sun 28 Aug, 2005 8:18 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

J. Padgett wrote:
Reading the dimensions is one thing, but seeing the axe in that picture is quite another. It might cross the line between intimidating, and ridiculous. Big Grin I don't suppose Gregory ever posted his impressions of the axe? My searches here, and over at SFI came up with nothing.


Try a search on these two forums.

www.axeforum.com
www.thefantasyforum.com

Greg participates in both of those, and I remember seeing some feedback from him on Axeforum. For me personally this axe crosses the boundary into the ridiculous. It might work well in some kind of fantasy interpretation but I don't think it's well suited to any kind of historical persona.

"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
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J. Padgett




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PostPosted: Sun 28 Aug, 2005 9:06 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Thanks for the links, Patrick! I did indeed find some posts by Greg, and others about the Grendel over at Axe Forum. It sounds a bit unwieldy to be honest. One of the posters said he broke five hafts with the beast. The regular type M might be more my speed.
"The truth shall make ye fret."
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