Belegarth

So, what are the rules for axe beards? As long as they meet the template rule, what might cause one to fail? (I built a "pronounced" red axe, but someone mentioned that its beard could catch some1's arm or something)

Uh, that's pretty much exactly what would fail it. If the weapon checker feels there is risk of your axe catching someone's hand/wrist/anything, it fails.

I've several axes, including an unwieldly, but good-in-a-line Dane axe. Beards need to be vertically deep to catch and hold shield edges, but should be horizontally deep to prevent entrapment.

Essentially, the more volume the gap formed by the beard has then the less likely it is to prevent a limb from escaping. Progressive foam densities will allow you to build one of these larger axe heads while not letting it get too massive.

Good to know, it did pass. I do not think it would pass at any national event though. Still, it was being HEAVILY used (bridge battle) and nobody complained,