Hello Wayne.
Indeed it does resemble a boarding-type ax, probably why I was drawn to it and kept it (you know, the whole 'pirate thing!
). In actuality, boarding axes descended from the earlier 'tomhahawk' axes as they were often listed in early shipping manifests. The spike axes were an excellent choice as a ship ax, as the cutting edge could slash through collapsed rigging, the spike could be used clear the deck by dragging it out of the way and of course as a deadly hand-to-hand weapon in times of battle on the deck.