BOW Appendix A 1.4.1.5

[Tiberius Claudius]

1.4.1.5. The minimum overall length of a Class 1 is 12 inches plus the length of the handle and pommel.

Since its 12 inches plus handle and pommel, that means blade must be at least 12 inches long to be class 1, correct? I ask because while it seems obvious for a min length sword, I've seen hand axes / tomahawks with blades that were not 12 inches, but the length of the whole thing met the min standard.

Thanks

[Derian]

Haft padding is included too in the 12" measurement. It's not a blade restriction because that would, as you said, outlaw things like axes and such.