Shepherd's axe

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For centuries, the shepherd's axe - also known as valaška, fokos or rabanica - has been a vital tool for shepherds residing in the Carpathian Mountains that span across the borders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, and Romania. This versatile, lightweight, and long axe is not meant for warfare but rather serves hunters, rangers, highwaymen, and even sword-wielding individuals seeking a break from their blades. In addition to its traditional uses as a walking stick and branch cutter, the shepherd's axe has also been employed to reach high-growing apples, deter wolves, serve as self-defense, and participate in cultural dances.