A hand forged throwing axe is a light head on a straight haft, balanced so it rotates predictably and lands edge first. Throwing is a separate discipline from chopping and the tools are not interchangeable. A splitting axe thrown at a target will bounce back at you, which is a lesson people only need once.
What is on this tag
Throwing sets of three at around 15 inches overall with cutting edges near 3.5 inches, bearded axes at 18 to 19 inches, and larger double headed and Viking patterns up to 22 inches overall. Heads are plain 1095 high carbon at 54 to 58 HRC or Damascus of 1095 and 15N20, forge welded and acid etched, at 58 to 60 HRC. Hafts are rosewood, ash, birch and hardwood, wedged into a drifted eye rather than glued. Most ship with a leather blade cover, which matters on a throwing set because three loose heads in a bag will find every other thing in it.
Rotation, distance and the actual technique
The axe turns once in roughly twelve to fifteen feet for most throwers with a standard length haft, so the distance you stand at is what you adjust, not the strength of the throw. Grip low, keep the wrist locked, and release when your arm is straight in front of you. Throwing harder is the most common mistake and it changes rotation, not accuracy. The beginner guide covers grip, stance and how to find your distance without guessing.
Edges and upkeep
A throwing edge should be sharp enough to bite and blunt enough to survive hitting a knot. Dress out nicks with a file rather than trying to preserve a razor edge that is going to meet end grain at speed. The axe sharpening guide covers file, stone and strop in order. The throwing patterns are in the throwing axes and the wider range in the Viking axes.
Targets and safety
Throw at end grain, into softwood rounds rather than plywood or a fence panel, and keep everyone behind the throwing line rather than beside it. A haft that has taken a hit on the back of the head should be checked before the next throw, since a cracked haft lets go at exactly the wrong moment. Spare hafts are worth having.
Free US shipping
On most pieces. Heavier and oversized ones carry a flat charge.
Hand Forged
Heated, hammered and ground by hand.
Engraving available
Names, dates or Norse runes on most pieces.
