Best Throwing Axes & Hatchets

Looking for Axes for Axe Throwing?

For thousands of years, man has depended on axes to split, shape, and cut wood. On the list of man’s tools, it probably ranks right behind the fire, and who is to say the first fire wasn’t started with wood chopped by a primitive axe? History has shown that the original Stone Age axe had no handle. It was a simply a stone wedge that used a combination of dual inclined planes to reduce the power required to split wood.

Over the centuries, the axe concept was continually improved upon, with archeologists discovering axes made of various stones and metals all over the world. Eventually, man began to fasten a handle to the blade. This was the creation of the modern axe. All modern axes have two basic parts: the blade and the handle, also called the helve.

Anyone who has ever had to cut firewood using a dull axe can tell you that, it is no easy task. I have seen many callused hands as a result of using a cheap axe. A dull axe can make cutting the smallest logs an intense chore. A rough axe handle can also increase the impact force you feel per cut. These reverberations are transferred to your bones and joints and can cause discomfort and fatigue.

All of this can make your axe a lot harder to hold onto and significantly increase your workload. If you are like most of us, you are probably ready for a new axe.

Who Makes Throwing Axes?

There are actually a few different companies that make throwing axes, including;

• Cold Steel
• Condor
• United Cutlery
• Cas Hanwei

If you are in the market for a throwing ax or a throwing knife take a look below and you will be sure to find something you like at a great deal.

Best Axes for Throwing

Throwing Axes come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Some resemble a traditional tomahawk, while others look like something you would expect out of mid-evil times. The type of axe you decide to purchase is really a matter of personal preference and the purpose you are going to use it for.

What is a Throwing Axe?

A throwing axe is basically like the name implies, it is an axe specifically made for throwing purposes. Throwing axes have a long history and were originally used as weapons. However today they are more suited for recreational purposes. Throwing axes differ from regular axes in their design, they are typically made of one solid piece of steel, instead of a head and a handle. Most throwing axes are also weighted differently so that when they are thrown the head has a better chance of landing in the target.

How to Choose the Best Axe

It is important that you understand that your body type will be a major factor in choosing the best axe. Also your exact cutting scenario will be equally important. If you are going to be cutting wood, you need a cutting axe. If the majority of your work is splitting firewood, you would want to choose a splitting axe. There are three main purposes an axe serves:

• Cutting – A cutting axe is specifically designed to cut against the grain. It works like a heavy razor blade.
• Splitting – This blade is wider than a cutting axe. The extra width in the angle helps tear the log in half.
• Shaping – This blade is designed to produce an even cut. This is required when converting logs to beams.

Let’s take a second to examine the differences between a cutting axe and a splitting axe. Cutting axes differ from splitting axes in their construction. Most cutting axes have a shallow wedge angled blade. This gives you added precision but sacrifices a little power.

Splitting axes, on the other hand, are more likely to have a deeper angle. This deeper angle allows the splitting blade to penetrate deeper into the wood and assist it in chopping. Better penetration is the key to lowering the power required to split logs.

Over the last several thousand years, the axe design has remained semi-consistent with only the blade material really making improvements from copper to bronze, then from iron to steel. It wasn’t until recently that axe makers made significant improvements in these categories:

Blade material

Axes have seen a drop in overall weight and an increase in strength by utilizing new high carbon steel blades. They can also be infused with other state-of-the-art materials. This has also allowed for axe heads to become as sharp as razors.

Blade shape

There are 100s of axe head shapes. New technology has allowed for improved beveling and angles. All this means less resistance per chop and more control of swing.

Handle material

Carbon fiber composites can significantly reduce weight and user stress. The impact of your cut is absorbed and your cutting force is magnified.

Weight distribution

A perfectly balanced axe can be wielded with proficiency. It should balance evenly while holding the blade in your hand.

Your personal traits and cutting scenarios are a big factor to weigh when choosing the best axe. These are the 5 most important points to consider:

Your height

It is important to choose an axe that matches your height. If you choose an axe that is too short, you will strain your back, if your choose one that is too long, you can lose cutting power.

Your power

You should feel the weight of your potential axe to make sure you can easily manipulate it. You don’t want an axe that is greatly overweight. It will increase your fatigue and the chances of missed cuts.

How often you will be cutting

It is important to consider how often you will be using your axe. If you are planning to do some serious woodwork you should consider spending the extra money on a high end brand.

What you will be cutting

Do you plan on cutting a lot of oak, pine, or birch? Each wood has its particular peculiarities that can affect your axe’s performance. Knowing your wood is an important part of becoming an axe smith.

Transportation

How will you transport your axe? Are you expecting to carry it for long periods of time? Is it primarily for camping? All of these questions can help determine which axe makes the most sense for you.

The right axe should feel comfortable and precise. It shouldn’t be too heavy and it should be tailored to your specific needs. With all of these factors choosing the right axe might seem overwhelming.  Let’s take a look at a 5 of the bestselling axes on the market.

Details of Our Throwing Axe Picks