In well over one hundred of episodes of the show Forged in Fire there have only been 17 (including this one) so far in which an axe makes an appearance. Episode 31 of season 7 “Titanium Smackdown” is a Forged in Fire Episode featuring an axe. The axe is the Horseman’s Tabar. The example photo shown in this article has what I would describe as a finnish style eye and cheeks.
Season 7, Episode 31: “Titanium Smackdown” (S07 EP31)
No axes appear in the first two rounds of competition. They did things a little backwards from usual, with smith’s being charged with forging titanium handles before creating a blade.
No axes appear in the first two rounds of competition. They did things a little backwards from usual, with smith’s being charged with forging titanium handles before creating a blade.
Finale Weapon: Horseman’s Tabar
The finale weapon is the Horseman’s Tabar: a one handed Indo-Persian axe. The example Tabar in the show looks a little janky to me.
The Horseman’s Tabar, according to the show, is a weapon used by Indian Calvary from the 16th-18th centuries.
I don’t believe in metal handles on axes. It was a parameter and for a weapon it probably makes sense. Also a parameter was a hidden dagger in the haft that doubled as a pommel for the axe and the handle of the dagger. On the one hand it is kinda cool. I also get that it is historically accurate, but it seems impractical and I wouldn’t want a dagger falling out of my axe.
A Horseman’s Tabar with wooden haft
I liked the clean lines of the first competitors Tabar. I thought the judges would complain about what looked like a thin and round handle but they did not mention it so it must have indexed okay and been grippy enough. The axe blade did take some damage on the strength test.
The other competitor seemed to lack on the fit and finish front. I appreciate the thought of doing a leather wrap on the handle to try to make it index better. I normally don’t like a wrapped handle like that on an axe because it makes it impossible to slide your hand down the axe handle in a two handed strike, but since the Horseman’s Tabar was probably only used as a one handed weapon this is a moot point.
Judge Ben Abbot pointed out he actually didn’t align the wrap with the head so it wasn’t indexed right. Judge Doug Marcaida actually complained the handle slipped in his hand. So the wrapped handle was good idea that was not executed effectively.
While both smiths put together functional Tabars, as it often the case on Forged in Fire, the competition came down to handle design.
Axes in the episode: finale weapon Horseman’s Tabar
Additionally, I maintain a complete listing of Forged in Fire Episodes with Axes.
Moot point, not mute
Good point!