I’ve seen 5 different styles/types of block for axe beheadings, and was wondering which one everyone prefers. They are as follows:
1- Low block – The person being beheaded lies on the ground, with their neck on a 4-6” wooden block, at which time the executioner is aiming at a target by his feet
2- A stump or plain section of wood, a type of high block, but effectively just a tree stump or section.
3- A high block with a deep, narrow groove for the chin and shallow indent for shoulders, where the person being beheaded is looking directly into the basket as they kneel.
4- A high block with a shallow indent for the shoulders, and a wide, shallow indent for the head. The person being beheaded rests their head in the indentation, looking sideways instead of down.
5- A high block which is trapezoidal, almost triangular, with a very narrow (about 4”) wide top. The shoulders and chin rest against the side of the block, with no indents being present.
Let me know which one you prefer!! I’m a #3 person myself.

Defintely number 3! Number 2 would be second.

Number 3 for me too. I like the thought of looking down into the basket as I kneel there waiting for the axe (esspecially if there are some previously beheaded heads in it looking up at me)

Block number 3 as first choice and number 2 as second.

3 as well.

Nice to see a consensus.

As I take my last few steps forward in this life, I see an oversized pillow encased in black mink at the base of angled cushions covered in black velvet leading up the a block covered in black satin drapery, gently flowing in the slight breeze across the top of the scaffold. The cushions are set so that when my attendants guide me to ease forward, my body from the knees up will be at about a 45 degree angle and my head will natuarally fall forward across the cutting surface of the block. The cushions will have measured indentations so my hands and breasts may snuggle in comfortably for my final moments. A strip of white sable lies across the top of the block so my neck has a pleasant place to rest in anticipation of the blade. The executrix has situated a soft, fur pillow on a pedestal adjusted so my forehead will rest in its soft folds to bring my neck into the proper alignement for a perfect strike.

It's got to be number 3, the most practicle of the bunch. :)

If the head is generally straight with the head looking down into the basket with the neck vertebra in a straight alignment then the axe should hopefully make short work of the womans neck when it crashes through the muscles of her neck and divides are spine, decapitating her.

personally, i think 2 is the best. it affords a wide area of block for the neck. the head goes in the sill (indentation) with the victim looking straight down. this allows another person to rake the victims hair forward off the neck, exposing it clearly for the headsman (or woman). to extend the neck even better, the person who clears the neck, can pull the hair if there is enough. this puts downward pressure on the chin and draws the neck out tight and straight.
i also happen to think the sword is nice too. but that doesnt require a block. i vote #2.

Wow, I really love your reasoning. If you were the headswoman i'd happily go down on no: 2 for you.

Number 3 - the high block! And I have to be able to look down into the basket!