Question about axes

Hi i got an gold axe:

Ebon War axe of defence
Earth dmg 6-28 (req8)
Dam + 14%
Armor -10 (while attacking)
Armor +5

`what does the armor -10 while attacking exactly mean?
and whats in the haft and what in the grip?
can i replace some of the properties by putting an upgrade on it?

and whats the use of earth dmg? im w/mo so no elemental stuff involved

hope some1 helps me out.

it means exactly what it says. while you are attacking, you suffer -10 armor. so, let's say you had drok's level platemail at 85 armor. if you are swinging your weapon around, it would be like having 75 armor. when you stop and just stand there, you get 85 armor again.

prefix is your haft - ebon haft (earth damage)
suffix is your grip - grip of defense (+5 armor)

you can replace those to whatever you want.

ok so the dam +14% and the Armor -10 cannot be replaced cause they below 2 the axe itself?

and earth damage? effective against what? my quess is i better replace that with Furious or Zealous?

bumpup

well zealous if u you use mending to counter the health degeneration and furious if like half of your skills use adrenaline but only get furious if its 10/10 its useless 10/9 and the armor id just leave it it helps with ur -10 armor penalty