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Is Axe throwing safe?

Axe Throwing that is not safe

Is Axe Throwing Safe? These steps help.

  1. Divided axe throwing lanes are safer.
  2. Lanes should have only 1 axe per lane.
  3. Lanes should use an anti-bounce border for safety
  4. Wood handle axes are safer than metal handles
  5. Do not over sharpen axes
  6. Use Targets made of end grain wood.
  7. Receive proper training.

Choose a location with divided lanes.

You will see a lot of axe places do not divide the lanes from each other. This means that someone throwing next to you can be throwing an axe while you are walking to the target which is obliviously not a safe way to throw axes.

Patrons are told not to throw if someone is retrieving an axe, but people are also told not to bowl if the person next to you is getting ready to bowl, but has it happened to you?  And last we checked, axes are a little sharper than bowling balls.

One step in making axe throwing safe is to throw at divided lane facilities.

Divided Axe Lanes make axe throwing safe

Lanes should have only 1 axe per lane.

One Axe Per Lane Is Safer

If there is only one axe on a lane, you know that when you are walking down to pull your axe out of the target, no one is standing behind you with an axe they are getting ready to throw.

A single axe per divided lane is the safest configuration for any axe throwing facility.

Axe Throwing Safety with no-bounce borders

You’ve probably seen the video, or multiple videos of axes bouncing below the target and being propelled back to the thrower who was just lucky enough to duck last minute and not get hit with a flying axe.

Whether it’s because they don’t want to spend a few extra dollars for safety, or they are mandated to have boards with company logos painted on them, the fact that more facilities do not employ systems to make axe throwing safer is sad but true.

It was our goal to make axe throwing safer by removing the problems with bouncing axes.

To learn more, check out the Video on No Bounce Borders.

No bounce surround

Wood handled axes have less bounce issues.

You will see many locations use an axe like the estwing which is a metal axe with a rubber coated handle. The rubber and metal work together to make this axe more likely to bounce if it hits on the bottom of the handle.

Drop a wood axe on it’s handle and one of these and you will instantly see the difference. We prefer wood handles for Axe Throwing Safety. It’s true they may not last as long, and we will have to replace them now and then, but for our axe throwers safety, we feel that’s a trade off that’s worth it.

Do Not Over Sharpen Axes

I have seen facilities with axes that are razor sharp. This does not make axe throwing safe. Most that over sharpen do it as they are throwing at hard boards and the axes do now want to penetrate, so they over sharpen.  Throwing axes do not need to be as sharp as scapels!

End Grain Targets for Axe Throwing Safety

End Grain Targets are safer

There are two main elements about end grain targets that add to axe throwing safety.

1) End grain is much easier to stick. When people have a hard time sticking an axe, the common result is they try to throw harder. The harder people throw, the more chance there is for bounce back and problems.  Additionally the axes don’t have to be as sharp.

2) Even if someone does over rotate and hit the end grain with the head or handle of the axe, end grain has a softer, more absorbing quality than a standard board that can act much like a diving board and cause an axe to rebound.

Easy to stick, less bounce – end grain to make axe throwing safer!