A long-handled weapon with a heavy, sharp blade on one end is a battle-ax. Ancient Roman warriors sometimes carried battle-axes when they rode into combat.
Battle-axes evolved from everyday axes used as tools: swinging a heavy blade turns out to be both an effective way to split logs and to fend off a charging enemy. The Vikings, Normans, ancient Chinese warriors, and Napoleonic troops all carried battle-axes. It was once fairly common to demean a forceful older woman by calling her a battle-ax, too. This American slang was inspired by temperance activist Carrie Nation and is now considered offensive and outdated.