One of the first things that you're likely to do when you get into axe throwing is buy your own axe. You probably want something that fits the requirement of your particular fearless leaders (for me, IATF (ALL HAIL!)), but something that also is...I guess forgiving (?) for new throwers.
Naturally, your more experienced fellow-throwers will have lots of options for you to try, and you shouldn't be afraid to ask them to practice with their axes and play around a bit. At worst, you'll find that you hate that monstrosity that Jimbly-Jo throws. Or you may find exactly the axe you want before you burn through $300 dollars trying to figure it out. Speaking from experience, here.
So here are a few first throwing axe options to get you started, including the pros and cons of each (as I see them. I'm hella subjective about the whole thing and you are, too. Don't try to act like you aren't).
Cold Steel Competition
The Cold Steel Competition Throwing Hatchet has a lot going for it. Its cheap to buy (around $40 or so at the time of writing), it is forgiving with under- or over-rotating, and it's made to be thrown, obvs.
weighing about 1lb., 14oz., it's also light in the hand. A long standard handle lets you customize the hell out of length, and it's IATF legal.
This was the second axe I threw with, and it did well for me. I had a bad habit of over rotating, but this axe had the good habit of not giving a shit about that.
PROS
Cheap to buy
Light
Forgiving of over/under rotation
CONS
It's like the cardboard cutout of what a hatchet is. Boring. It's just so boring.
Sometimes the handles are faulty. Just don't drop it too much, bub.
Flying Fox
The Flying Fox is just...I mean it's just a fantastic hatchet for axe throwing. Coming in straight handle and curved handle varieties, the Flying Fox is a heavier axe (the head is 1.75 lbs., all told it comes in at around 2.something lbs.), but it's thin and made of exceptionally good steel.
I feel like the Fox still counts very much in the cheap category. With a ~$60 price tag, the Fox isn't going to break the bank and is definitely punching above its weight class when it comes to what you're getting for your buck. It has a 3 7/8-inch bit so you're not messing around with something too small for iffy Premier Clutch efforts, but it doesn't feel like the bit is that large when you're throwing it. Hard to explain I guess - I guess because of the curve it feels like a smaller axe? Yeah, I'll go with that.
If you're on the fence about it, I'd say it's worth finding someone who has a Fox and trying it out, or just taking the risk and getting one. I don't throw with a Fox anymore, but I carry one with me every league night. Because, friend, I'll tell you: I think I'm still in love with it.
PROS
Good price point
Well balanced
Thin, long bit for backboard reconnaissance
CONS
You might fall in love with this axe and then that's it. No more buying axes
I'm just kidding about that first bullet point
In 2 of the 3 Foxes I've bought, the handle has gotten loose within a week or two. Easy to fix, but something to be aware of.
Ace Hardware Hammer Hatchet
Listen. I know you probably already know about this one, but it felt weird to leave it out of the list. The Ace Hammer Hatchet is like, the beginner's beginner hatchet. It's probably what you threw when you first got the dumb idea to try throwing axes out at your local throwing venue. BUT there's a reason behind that: it's good at the job. The flat face, light build and cheap, cheap price point makes it a great choice for lots of people. Hell, some of the best throwers in the world still use an Ace. For around $20, you get an axe that would have otherwise spent its life rattling around in someone's toolbox. Really, it's an act of kindness.
PROS
Stupid cheap
Proven
A flat face means (if you stick the landing) you're less likely to bleed out of the bullseye
CONS
You won't get that superior feeling of having your own special, unique axe when people who aren't in league come to throw when you're practicing
In most cases I've seen, people change out the handle. So maybe you'll have to do that, too? I don't know, I'm not your conscious
A final disclaimer
Really, it comes down to what works for you. Something like the Ace Hammer or Cold Steel Competition Thrower are fine axes, but maybe not the axe that you'll find yourself using season after season. What they will likely do, however, is start you on the path to getting better at axe throwing. There are dozens of "best first" options out there, including hand-me-downs and garage finds and my-partner-made-me-go-antique-shopping-and-I-found-this-old-axe-why-not-try-it-outs. This list, while not at all exhaustive, hopefully gives you a few options to start.
Comments