the crushing power of the warhammer, the cleaving power of the long-handled (Danish) axe, and the thrusting capability of the spear.The axe head on a poleaxe, when present, was generally smaller than that of its predecessor, the Danish axe, with a blade length around 7 inches, though it could be as wide as 11 inches or as narrow as 6 inches. Much like the Danish axe, the edge of a poleaxe's axe head can be found straight or as a convex curve. The shape of the hammer head of a poleaxe varied, with the earlier versions having the corners of the hammer head protrude slightly from the plane of the head. In later hammer heads (especially the 16th century Lucerne hammers) the head corners protrude so much thatthe hammer head is split into three or four long and sharp prongs. Earlier poleaxes often had a rondel guard at the top part of the usually octagonal haft to protect the hands. This element seemed less popular in the 16th century.Three parallel methods for assembly of the poleaxe were utilized. In the first method, used for heads with or without an axe implement, the head and back spike were made of one piece and sat directly over the haft. The head had a slot to accept a "U" shaped iron piece which fit over the head and formed the langets which fastened the head to the haft. This piece also often included the top spike. In some cases the "U" shaped piece was made separate from the