Axes were primarily used by the Dwarves as weapons. A famous user of this weapon is Gimli. Dain's dwarves were described as wielding "two-handed mattocks". The weapons of the Dwarves had long handles to extend their reach and increase their impact. There were several different types of axes, including single-bladed and double-bladed axes as well as throwing axes. Many Dwarves carried more than one Axe. The throwing axe had a foot-long handle and kept most of its weight in the blade, to increase the force with which it would hit the target. It had a range of only ten yards or so and was much smaller than the walking axe. A walking axe had a square handle and was about three feet long; it had a single blade so the user could use it as a walking staff. Unlike their depiction in many fiction settings, double bladed axes (also called double-bitted axes) are used in logging, while battle axes have one blade, and sometimes a spike. An Axe could also be used as tool, serving multiple purposes.
Axes were one of the four main weapons used by the Rohirrim.
- The Lord of the Rings Weapons and Warfare