Axes are considered blunt weapons rather than blade weapons because the way they are wielded and used is more similar to blunt weapons like maces or warhammers. The striking motion of an axe involves a crushing or smashing impact rather than the fine slicing or stabbing associated with bladed weapons like swords. This classification is reflected in games like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, where axes are governed by the Blunt skill because they function more like hafted weapons. Additionally, historically in combat and tournaments, some axes or similar polearms were made blunt intentionally for durability, safety in sport fighting, or because their design was optimized to hit armored opponents, where cutting edges were less effective. The "bluntness" in some historical axes wasn't just due to wear but a functional choice for their purpose. Thus, axes are blunt because their use emphasizes forceful impact akin to a hammer, not precise cutting, and sometimes their edges were intentionally less sharp for practical reasons like safety or armor penetration.