maybe thats why I lost >
Its already been established that this wasn't the case. We (You, Daanor and I) discussed this, and the win could easily have been legit. Higher axe level would just mean more armour damage, and hardly an increase in player damage. Stacking the bleed damage from sword, and dogs, as well as the enderpearl used at the start, don't exactly help keep up your health.
I'd also confiscated a sword from Hobo earlier in the week to trade in, and his chest have been checked previously.