Handaxe

Handaxes were a type of light, martial melee weapon in the axe family.

Description
Handaxes were similar to hatchets in size and shape. Their shafts were usually made of wood, though metal was sometimes used. Their blades were single-edged and their back sides were either unadorned, spiked, or had a peen. Handaxes were heavier than throwing axes and not balanced enough to be used effectively as a thrown weapon.

Weaponology
Classified as a light weapon, handaxes were often used while grappling an opponent. Because some training was required to use them effectively as an off-hand weapon in conjunction with another, they were typically considered as martial weapons.

Notable Handaxes

 * Sky Cleaver, the legendary handaxe of the giant god Annam All-Father.
 * Snowbeard's avalanche axe

Classes

 * Fugitive slaves that had escaped from farms were liable to be wield handaxes due to experience with chopping wood.

Individuals

 * Belmer Oelber Rayburton
 * Reiner Trall
 * Vaug

Races & Sentient Creatures

 * Alaghi hunters were typically trained in the use of handaxes.
 * Dwarves were known to favor handaxes as an off-hand weapon.
 * Handaxes were a common weapon among both human and demihuman races all across Faerun.
 * Approximately a quarter of all Scro fighting forces were likely to be armed with handaxes.

Regions & Settlements

 * Handaxes were a commonly used weapon among inhabitants of Malatra.

Religions

 * Handaxes were a favored weapon of the deities Gaknulak and Nomog-Geaya. They were also featured in the holy symbol of the latter.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
 * Video Games
 * Pool of Radiance • Secret of the Silver Blades • Gateway to the Savage Frontier • Treasures of the Savage Frontier • Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance • Dungeons & Dragons: Eye of the Beholder • Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II • Sword Coast Legends • Baldur's Gate III
 * Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
 * War of Everlasting Darkness