Shepherds Axe (Ciupaga)

Throughout history, the slavic people of Poland known as Gorale or Highlanders tended sheep in the Tatra mountains from spring until fall. The Shephers would have a very unique axe called a Ciupaga (pronounced chew-pah-gah)

Known in English as the Shepherds Axe

Slovac: valaška,

Hungarian: fokos

Polish: (depending on region) – ciupaga, rabanica, uobuszek, cekanka,

Czech: Valaška,

Romanian: Baltag

Ukrainian: бартка, топірець)

Evidence shows the Shepherd Axe started life back in the 9th century as a Hungarian fighting axe. What distinguishes this axe from any other axe is its long helve or handle. In some writings it is described as being a walking staff, in others a walking stick. Basically it is a hatchet head on a long handle, it could be a square poll, hammer poll or a spike poll axe, it could also be a head of a hammer with a crook poll.

Shepherds from a variety of European areas used these long handled axes for walking and protection. They were not capable of cutting down trees, but they could be used to cut small saplings and branches for constructing shelters and possible sheep pens.

Painting by Stephen Catterson Smith depicting three peasants from Hodod, Transylvania. The shepherd to the left is holding a shepherd’s axe.

This tool/weapon was still in use during the 17th and 18th centuries “……іn thе 18th century іn Rakoczi’s War fоr Independence аgаіnѕt Austrian soldiers. In thе 17th аnd 18th century, Hungarian Kuruc leader Imre Thokoly аnd hіѕ soldiers uѕеd Valaska, shepherd’s axes аѕ weapons”.

The handle functioned as an axe; the pointed tip doubled as a spear. In the 21st century, handmade ciupagas are crafted in Poland from a long solid piece of mountain hardwood, and decorated with a solid brass handle and fittings.

Almost all modern variants are used for display purposes or in traditional Polish Dances. Sоmе hаvіng golden оr silver head-pieces (mostly brass, iron, chromed iron, wood оr aluminum – іt іѕ rare thаt аnу real, functional axe head wоuld bе mаdе оf solid gold оr silver). Mаnу аrе considered works оf art Especially thоѕе mаdе uр tо thе 60s bу Polish Highlanders.

Most real Shepherds axes were customised to represent their owners, this included having the blacksmiths who created them imprint them with emblems that have meaning to their owners. A common theme was thе Edelweiss (a mountain flower of the Tatra mountains), sun, stars (whirl), comets, tree оf life, flowers, trees ѕuсh аѕ fir оr spruce, аnd vаrіоuѕ geometric designs. Sоmе smiths uѕеd mаnу different, elaborated stamps.

It is said that the shepherd would never be separated from his axe, so when many of these people emigrated to Australia or North America in the 18th century, and certainly after the Second World War, the chances are that the shepherd’s axe came with them were very high. Especially in wilderness countries where axes were already commonplace such as in Canada and the Northern United States such as Colorado, Washington, and Northern California.

Sadly authentic, functional Shepherds axes are very difficult to find in the 21st century. This is because in the the communist government of Poland outlawed the Shepherds axe as it was a symbol of Polish culture and could also be used as a weapon.

A Polish person once joked “The Ciupaga was used both for killing wolves, and communists. The difference between the two? Wolves never hide their real identity.”

21st Century Shepherds Axes

The author commissioned Ontario Blacksmith Daniel Linkenheld to create a custom made, high carbon steel Ciupaga for him. Following historic guidelines the Ciupaga was emblazoned with a Husky/Wolf head on one side, and a paw print on the other.   It was also designed to be the correct height for use as a walking stick / hiking pole.

There are one or two places where useable commercial versions of the Shepherd axe can be purchased. One version is called the United Cutlery 2905 “M48 Kommando Axe” which has a similar look to a Shepherds axe. It’s a little small and designed only as a walking stick or cane. It’s not designed for hard use.

Adam Čeladín who owns SharpBlades.com offers the Valaška Shepherd’s Axe. Similar to historic axes made in Poland and Slavic Europe. His Shepherds axes are custom made and there are several videos available of them smashing various things, including a dead pig head.

The Shepherds axe in its various forms has been used for centuries. Sadly there are only a few commercial versions of the axe. As blacksmithing is a dying art, it’s not always easy to find a blacksmith who can custom make a modern, useable version of the axe.

The early 21st century has seen a revival of primitive skills, bushcraft skills, and a desire to live off the grid and return to the land. This may have more companies produce versions of the Shepherds axe. Until that happens, the spirit of the blade is kept alive in Polish dance, and imitations sold to tourists of Poland.

Burgess, K., 2016. The Shepherd’s Axe.. [online] Woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com. Available at: <https://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-shepherds-axe.html?fbclid=IwAR2gTmc96-htQHospFKq1KyLb5PLMLZjBlmg9mIUEDJV5z9RgfoMxsRMCQc> [Accessed 7 October 2021].

http://www.polskiinternet.com/english/polishcustoms/ciupaga.shtml

http://www.slovakiaonline.com/2014/03/10/valaska/

https://www.obnova.sk/tema/fokos/

https://shopsharpblades.com/product/valaska-shepherds-axe