most modern axes have steel heads and wooden handles, typically hickory in the us and ash in europe and asia, although plastic or fibreglass handles are also common. modern axes are specialised by use, size and form. hafted axes with short handles designed for use with one hand are often called hand axes but the term hand axe refers to axes without handles as well. hatchets tend to be small hafted axes often with a hammer on the back side (the poll). as easy-to-make weapons, axes have frequently been used in combat.