Updated BEST THROWING axe

[Motega]

It look like there hasn't been an update to the "best throwing axe" conversation for a while.

I'm considering quitting my job and becoming a gladiator and it's either the throwing axe or trident and net.
Seriously though, right before the whole pandemic, a few bars/axe throwing places popped up around here (northern NJ of all places). I wouldn't have ever thought- ESPECIALLY around here, that anyone would insure a place that is designed specifically with the purpose of drinking and throwing axes! Gives me a little hope for the future. The funniest part is that I learned about it as a union event for the educator union I belong to. Strange times.

The forums here usually cut straight to the point as far as what the best bet is for picking up an item like this so I thought I would ask. I realize it is a bit crazy to take into consideration the aerodynamics of an axe when selecting a quality tool for the job, but I rarely need an axe to begin with so was thinking about what might be best in your opinion for an axe to do its primary job of chopping wood but also be a good throwing axe too.
Any suggestions?

 

[crbnSteeladdict]

It look like there hasn't been an update to the "best throwing axe" conversation for a while.

I'm considering quitting my job and becoming a gladiator and it's either the throwing axe or trident and net.
Seriously though, right before the whole pandemic, a few bars/axe throwing places popped up around here (northern NJ of all places). I wouldn't have ever thought- ESPECIALLY around here, that anyone would insure a place that is designed specifically with the purpose of drinking and throwing axes! Gives me a little hope for the future. The funniest part is that I learned about it as a union event for the educator union I belong to. Strange times.

The forums here usually cut straight to the point as far as what the best bet is for picking up an item like this so I thought I would ask. I realize it is a bit crazy to take into consideration the aerodynamics of an axe when selecting a quality tool for the job, but I rarely need an axe to begin with so was thinking about what might be best in your opinion for an axe to do its primary job of chopping wood but also be a good throwing axe too.
Any suggestions?

This podcast might help you https://castbox.fm/episode/Episode-...owing-scene!-id2215774-id207000775?country=us

 

[3fifty7]

While not completely mutually exclusive of one another they are 2 quite different patterns. Can they both split wood and both be thrown, yes but competition throwing axes are just that. If that’s what you want get 1 or 4. Cold Steel makes a competition thrower that can be found in the $20 range if you just want to dip your toes and see if it’s worth pursuing.

 

[Motega]

Appreciate the advice! I didn't realize that axe throwing was such a well-organized thing. Didn't even know there were specs, a separate hawk vs. hatchet category and all that. I guess I'm going for whatever is the most deadly at long range. Just for fun of course. I'm going to try and work my way through the smaller amphitheaters instead of just jumping into the Coliseum. If only the travel ban were lifted. In the meantime I'll get some practice in the yard. I'm absolutely positive someone must make a battle grade trident to try that too. We have a forum for that, right?

Thanks again!

 

[crbnSteeladdict]

Appreciate the advice! I didn't realize that axe throwing was such a well-organized thing. Didn't even know there were specs, a separate hawk vs. hatchet category and all that. I guess I'm going for whatever is the most deadly at long range. Just for fun of course. I'm going to try and work my way through the smaller amphitheaters instead of just jumping into the Coliseum. If only the travel ban were lifted. In the meantime I'll get some practice in the yard. I'm absolutely positive someone must make a battle grade trident to try that too. We have a forum for that, right?

Thanks again!

Watch out when throwing hatchets with rubber handles. https://bladeforums.com/threads/the-axe-ident-thread.1627828/page-4#post-19385224

 

[Steely_Gunz]

My wife and I just tried out the new axe throwing bar in town, and I am hooked.

They used Estwing hatchets for the hourly beater throwers, which makes a lot of sense. The edged looked like they had been used to butcher a Sherman tank. However, they threw fine.

I spent many, many, hours throwing knives and hatchets at old stumps when i was a kid 25+ years ago. I teased my wife that throwing axes and knives was what i put most of my summer energy into until she came along back in Jr. High. I haven't thrown in well over 20 years. However, I found that a static 12' one handed throw yielded a bullseye rate of 15/20 throws or so. I felt good enough about my performance to inquire if they had any recreational leagues, and it looks like one is starting up in a month or two.

It looks like NATF and WATL have different rules. It seems that WATL allows for more types of axes including those with handles made out of wood, steel, or polymer while NATF requires a wooden handle. WATL allows for a slightly longer and heavier axe, but it seems that an axe meeting NATF requirements would satisfy WATL.

As throwing an axe into soft planks is all about technique and balance, I would think that "best" would depend on a lot of variables. One of the websites i stumbled across mentions a cheap Swiss surplus hatchet known for being heavy and thick in the edge as a good cheap thrower. As luck would have it, I bought one a couple of weeks ago to toss in my car for a trip.

In short, I plan on going back this coming week for another session to get some more info. I could see myself getting pretty deep down this rabbit hole. The people were super nice and the sport seems like a lot of fun.

 

[Motega]

Sounds like you have your groove back, awesome to be able to walk up to the line and along a bunch of bullseye like that! I didn't consider bringing out the wife, but I got her hooked on traditional archery decades ago and she still loves going to 3d shoots with me, so it's a great idea if we ever get a chance to get a babysitter to check out the place nearest us!
Can you share the kind of axe you got? Standard military surplus site? And do you think it's better to get into 1 style over the other as far as the 2 main sets of rules? Does the throwing place require the lighter axes? If so I think it makes more sense to pick up some throwers based on what the place allows since even though we have plenty of room in the yard we might as well start with what we can throw at the bar.
Thanks!

 

[Miller '72]

I am not a thrower per say, i have thrown and it is fun.
I would suggest looking into the Council Tool Flying Fox.
Very easy way is to contact @FortyTwoBlades here on the forum if you are interested in specs and a possible purchase.

Good luck

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Sounds like you have your groove back, awesome to be able to walk up to the line and along a bunch of bullseye like that! I didn't consider bringing out the wife, but I got her hooked on traditional archery decades ago and she still loves going to 3d shoots with me, so it's a great idea if we ever get a chance to get a babysitter to check out the place nearest us!
Can you share the kind of axe you got? Standard military surplus site? And do you think it's better to get into 1 style over the other as far as the 2 main sets of rules? Does the throwing place require the lighter axes? If so I think it makes more sense to pick up some throwers based on what the place allows since even though we have plenty of room in the yard we might as well start with what we can throw at the bar.
Thanks!

My local place is very low key and chill about it. I imagine that the heavy Estwings are good for being indestructible and having a forgiving mass that will stick even if your throw is just OK.

The axe I plan on trying is a Swiss surplus hatchet. I dont have a good pic of mine, but a quick Google will turn up a ton of info on a very basic hatchet. It has the edge profile of a brick and feels like it weighs about the same. That said, I would imagine it hits pretty good if you get the hang of it. I plan on taking mine this week to see how it goes.

Throwing is a perishable skill, for sure. However, muscle memory is an elephant. I had forgotten how much fun it was. When I was a kid I threw anything I could get my hands on. My shins have the ricochet scars to prove it I remember throwing a couple of knives and an old steel tube hatchet (the $6 kind that will bend if you push them too hard), then following up with my pride and joy, my Gil Hibben single edge throwing axe. My girlfriend bought it for me for Christmas from the local flea market. Loved it so much I eneded up marrying her a decade later I got to where I could hold that axe low at my side under the beard like a gun fighter with the handle pointing down and feign surrender (just for goofy fun) then flick it underhand from 12-15' resulting in what would be a nasty neck shot.

Ill be sure to report back as to what throws best