Types of Throwing Axes

Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced thrower, there’s a throwing axe for you. The shape of an axe’s head, blade and handle all impact its balance and how easy it is to throw. 

Investing in a new axe can be expensive, so doing your research before making a purchase is wise. Many axe-throwing venues use their knowledge of axes to choose the best options for individuals who come to their space. If you’re not ready to purchase a new axe just yet, try out some axes in a throwing venue near you. This can give you a feel for what you like while sharpening your skill set (no pun intended). 

If you’re looking to up your game with elevated tools, this article can help you identify the best axe for your goals. 

Essential Parts of an Axe

The head, blade and handle of an axe can come in various shapes and sizes, all of which affect how it is thrown. Different types of throwing axes all have unique strengths and weaknesses. Learn more about each of these parts and how to discern which is the best option for you.

Head

When you’re looking at the head of an axe, notice where most of the weight is. Does the front or back of the axe head feel heavier? Once you throw the axe, the weight in the axe head will carry rotational energy until it hits the target. Front versus back weight can impact how forcefully it sinks in. 

Axes with a wide eye and multiple wedges ensure the axe head stays firmly attached to the handle. The shape of the head can also impact how the axe feels and performs when thrown. There are many exciting shapes to choose from, all with different pros and cons. Most companies offer a base model that’s perfect for training and practicing professional throwing skills. 

Blade

The thinner the blade, the easier it sticks once it hits the target. If you’re having trouble getting your axes to stick and your form is generally good, upgrading to a thinner-bladed axe may help. These blades are sharper and can cut through the target more deeply.

Additionally, the shape of your blade can impact how far it sinks into the target material. You should have at least four inches to work with at the end of your blade for traditional throwing competitions. Flat blades are harder to throw with, although they offer more surface area if they hit the target at an angle. In contrast, rounded blades offer better sticking ability and are easier to throw. 

Handle

Most throwing axes have short handles. When you have to cut lumber with an axe, you need a long handle. However, throwing an axe requires a different kind of balance. Ideally, the handle and blade should rotate around each other at an even speed. 

The sweet spot for handle length varies depending on the person throwing the axe, but in general, the handle should be fairly short. 

Leaving the wood slightly rough and unfinished can help with the right timing for release. If you throw an axe with a smooth handle, it can slide out of your hand too soon and affect where you hit the target. 

Most axe-throwing axes have a straight handle, but you can use options with a curve, too.

Different Styles of Axes

There are many different styles of axes, and they each have a specific name. Here’s how you can tell them apart: 

• Hatchet: This kind of axe is designed for chopping wood in one hand. It has a short handle and a permanently attached head. The head and blade come in many different shapes and styles. 
• Tomahawk: Tomahawks can be used for cutting small materials. They have a thinner blade and are designed for versatility as a small, handheld tool. 
• Splitting axe: This axe is larger and more powerful, designed for splitting large logs. It has a wide head and is meant to be used with both hands for greater impact. 
• Double-bit axe: As its name suggests, this axe has two blades — one on each side of the head. It’s ideal for heavy-duty work that requires efficiency, like cutting down trees. 
• Felling axe: Felling axes are also meant for heavy-duty tasks like cutting into stumps, but they only have one blade on the axe head. 

While some axes are thrown for sport, others are designed to get work done. Lighter, smaller axes are often used for small utility work or throwing, while heavy axes are best for chopping wood. Throwing axes also tend to have thinner blades, smaller heads and shorter handles than axes meant for traditional work. 

Many people enjoy throwing lighter axes like tomahawks. However, this style of axe isn’t often used in official competitions. If you’re looking to compete at either international or smaller local leagues, you probably need a hatchet-style axe. It’s important to check the rules before choosing an axe, since some competitions may have restrictions on size and weight. 

How to Find the Best Axes for Throwing

Most throwing axes fall into the category of hatchets, since you can throw them with one hand and they have a wedge-shaped head. However, within that category, there are many different axe head shapes and blade sizes. Finding the best throwing hatchet for you takes time and experience. 

A talented axe thrower can hit the target with any throwing axe. However, fine-tuning your axe choice can make a difference if you’re interested in competitive throwing. The more practice you get, the better prepared you are to zero in on the perfect axe to up your game and help you win at axe-throwing events. 

Practice Your Skills at Axel’s Throw House

Looking for a place to sharpen your throwing skills? Whether you’re a beginner or a competitive axe thrower, Axel’s Throw House is an exciting place to spend time practicing. We’re located in Nashua, New Hampshire, and offer 15 throwing lanes. It’s our goal to elevate the axe-throwing experience to something truly comfortable and exciting. 

We use high-quality, reusable targets so your axe sticks better. Our trained axe-perts can give a quick demo and instructions to beginners, helping you get started with confidence. If you’ve thrown axes for years, we won’t bother you — enjoy your time and know you can always reach out to a staff member if you have any questions!

Our venue offers food and drinks on-site, fun music, karaoke and computerized target games so you can challenge yourself once you’ve conquered hitting the bullseye. Our axes are lightweight and designed for easy rotation, so you can focus on elevating your form. 

Contact us today to book throwing lanes!