Good question. And one I hadn't really considered until you asked. Looking at the other weapons I've created (which I'll post eventually), I don't see much of a fantasy element in any of them.
They are usually shorter than your blade type weapons (roughly around 70 cm) and can have three different "protrusions" at the weighted end: 1. a spike/pick to punch through parts of the armour that are thinner, usually closer to the edges of the plates or the helmet (or parts of mail) 2. a blunt, hammer to deal massive percussive damage and bend armour plates (a bent piece of armour hinders the movement and makes you more likely to be subdued) 3. a spike on top, which could be used to stab at eye slits or over a bever (not so common, but you can see see one in the picture above)
The hammer head could have small points at the corners (looks kind of a crown) which should help the head to bite into the armour and not glance off. The second picture also shows langets, which protected the wooden shaft of the hammer from getting damaged by blades and to make breaking the shaft from the impact less likely. One handed versions, like the one depicted are around 1kg in weight. Two handed versions of this type of weapon are most likely called differently, like "pol(l)axe" and they are a knight's anti-plate weapon on foot in the late medieval time and renaissance period.
I see, where are you are going to with the design (fully embracing fantasy), but yo might want to give them a more "usable" look:
The short sword has the some problems with balance and body mechanics - the leaf shaped blade is OK, although too short for a sword compared to the hilt. (a Mainz type gladius e.g. should give you some better idea for proportions) - the grip is round, which is bad for edge alignment, the wire wrapping is historical accurate, although it was most likely done with a twisted wire. - the ornamental rings at the top of the grip will be very uncomfortable for the wielder of the blade and would not be there on a sword made for field service - the weapon, considering it looks to be made completely out of metal will be off balance and too heavy; the cross guard looks like a very solid piece of iron
Take a look at ancient greek Xiphos swords (and others from the bronze age), if you want to keep the leaf blades appearance
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I wanted to try my hand at creating some melee weapons. Here's a warhammer:
Are you going for authenticity, or fantasy?
More Interesting Lock Picking Rules
Good question. And one I hadn't really considered until you asked. Looking at the other weapons I've created (which I'll post eventually), I don't see much of a fantasy element in any of them.
If you wanted to go flat out authentic, a warhammer didn't look like that in medieval times.
They used designs like this (in Europe)
Your version looks nice and is absolutely fitting within the fantasy genre.
More Interesting Lock Picking Rules
More on historical warkhammers:
They are usually shorter than your blade type weapons (roughly around 70 cm) and can have three different "protrusions" at the weighted end:
1. a spike/pick to punch through parts of the armour that are thinner, usually closer to the edges of the plates or the helmet (or parts of mail)
2. a blunt, hammer to deal massive percussive damage and bend armour plates (a bent piece of armour hinders the movement and makes you more likely to be subdued)
3. a spike on top, which could be used to stab at eye slits or over a bever (not so common, but you can see see one in the picture above)
The hammer head could have small points at the corners (looks kind of a crown) which should help the head to bite into the armour and not glance off. The second picture also shows langets, which protected the wooden shaft of the hammer from getting damaged by blades and to make breaking the shaft from the impact less likely. One handed versions, like the one depicted are around 1kg in weight. Two handed versions of this type of weapon are most likely called differently, like "pol(l)axe" and they are a knight's anti-plate weapon on foot in the late medieval time and renaissance period.
I suppose, subconsciously, I was influenced by Mjölnir, Thor's hammer, when I drew the warhammer/maul.
Battleaxe and throwing axes...
Shortsword...
I see, where are you are going to with the design (fully embracing fantasy), but yo might want to give them a more "usable" look:
The short sword has the some problems with balance and body mechanics
- the leaf shaped blade is OK, although too short for a sword compared to the hilt. (a Mainz type gladius e.g. should give you some better idea for proportions)
- the grip is round, which is bad for edge alignment, the wire wrapping is historical accurate, although it was most likely done with a twisted wire.
- the ornamental rings at the top of the grip will be very uncomfortable for the wielder of the blade and would not be there on a sword made for field service
- the weapon, considering it looks to be made completely out of metal will be off balance and too heavy; the cross guard looks like a very solid piece of iron
Take a look at ancient greek Xiphos swords (and others from the bronze age), if you want to keep the leaf blades appearance