A pic of my new target and a question for ALL!

T

TheMartialWay

Joined
Jul 2, 1999
Messages
1,347
Hello all,

I recently put together this target using 2x4s. Although it makes a great knife throwing target, my 'Hawks just will not stick! I guess 2x4s just do not make good 'hawk targets. Does anyone have an idea of what I can possibly nail to this target to make a good hawk target. I am assuming that plywood is too thin and hard. Any ideas? Thanks for the input.

<A HREF="http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292009659"><IMG SRC="http://www.imagestation.com/images/album/link/my_album_button.gif" BORDER="0"></A>
 
Very nice!

I have a knife/axe throwing book by Gil Hibben that shows how to make a very nice target using 2x4s. The key to it is facing the narrow (1.5") edges towards you...giving you a thicker target... Anyway, with the proper base (i.e. one that holds the target sufficiently rigid), hawks should stick just fine.
 
Martial Way, I've seen the clips of your throws, so I know that the problem is not you.:D Impressive. The design that WS mentioned is gonna be the better way to go with 2x4's. I think what is occurring is that the boards are acting like long leafsprings. At impact there is enough flex to the wood that it "gives" before the structure of the wood face "fails" to the impact of the 'hawk. When you throw at a stump, the stump has enough mass that it doesn't budge and the 'hawk's energy is sufficient to cause the impact surface to fail.
I don't know if I make sense, maybe one of our physics geniuses can explain better.
The target design that WS talked about consists of a pocket frame. Inside this frame are placed 2x4's cut to the same length. (Oh, say 12") So the face of the target is entirely end grain. When you have butchered it sufficiently, one pulls the boards out and using a table saw or circular saw removes the damaged end. (Say 1/2" - 1") Easier to do with a table saw. I haven't done the math but a 4'x4' target, one foot thick, with a frame is gonna have some decent mass. With end grain as the impact zone the 'hawk will have an easy "meal".:)
Okay, filler for a 11-3/4"x35"x36" target is 240 pcs. (Thirty 8 foot lengths) Still need a frame.
Filler for a 11-3/4"x48"x49" target is 448 pcs. (Fifty-six 8 foot lengths.) Still need a frame.
Frame with 2x10's and back it with plywood or more 2x4's, then add some serious legs.
A good sawdusty afternnon of fun for somebody with the right equipment.
How much wood could a wood chuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?:D
 
Not all 2x4's are equal, some are much harder and denser than others. I use them for targets all the time, however around here most
lumber is pine, and it is quite easy to penetrate. In order to increase penetration just adjust your throws so the top edge of the tomahawk,
or even the spike, contacts the target, this will insure much better penetration than if contact is made with the full bit. In order to get better
penetration, you could just put on a layer of soft wood, clear pine would allow a stick very easily. As well, as noted, make the whole
target very rigid.

-Cliff
 
24 inch to 36 inch diameter butt sections of logs with the end grain facing you work really well and are the traditional target material. You can pin a target to them or spray-paint a bullseye type target on the wood.
TWO HAWKS
http://www.2hawks.net
 
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