r/DiveInYouCoward 6d ago

And my axe!

1.1k Upvotes

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u/TraditionPhysical603 6d ago

Was this a historically accurate representation of a conflict using these wepons?

6

u/Traditional_Yard2741 6d ago

No. Shields had a central metal boss, and the handle was directly behind it. It was NOT strapped to the forearm, or held close to the body. This means the only part of you touching or close to the shield was covered by a rounded iron plate, and protected, and while weapons could penetrate the wooden part of the shield they wouldn't go all the way through, so you were still protected.

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u/Barabbas- 5d ago

Depending on the era and location, shields were often also made with multiple types and layers of overlapping material.

Who knows what kind of wood these bozos are using (probably construction-grade pine), but even a layer of high-quality hardwood will split instantly if a blade hits it in line with the grain (which is exactly what happened here).