This interview came from the Harry Potter Marathon that Meduseld Meadery put on a month or two back. It was a blast of a time, made all the better by my chance in getting to know Axestrator a bit better. In this tiny axe thrower interview, we talked about how other sports can impact one's axe-throwing style, self-restraint in axe throwing, and goals for the rest of the year.
You throw out of Baltimore, right? How long have you been throwing, and how did you get into axe throwing?
I've thrown for two years out of Baltimore, that's right. I went axe throwing a few times on a date and I really liked it. We happened to join the league - it happened to be Premier - and we didn't know what that meant, at the time. It was kind of intimidating but everyone there was really cool, so it was a good time.
So I did that for one season, then went to Wednesday Green (standard) and threw there for a couple years, and just recently went back to Premier.
You do other organized sport, is that right? I do Kettlebell, yeah.
How do you think axe throwing is similar to that sport (or any other organized sport) or different?
So the communities are very similar, and very awesome. Lots of awesome people. Both sports are smaller, and are trying to grow. We try to be really open and draw people in.
I think it's different in, like, in training. You practice in axes, of course, but in Kettlebell sport it's a lot more strict. Training for a competition - you have your program and what you're gonna do three days a week. You have to cut out alcohol and watch what you eat, all that stuff.
And axe throwing, by comparison, views drinking and eating poorly as part of the training program.
Yeah, exactly.
Do you find you need to consider kettle while you're throwing axes? Like, do you check yourself at axe throwing events to stop yourself from eating street meat and drinking?
Yes. It's not that hard because I'm really motivated for my competitions. I mean, at the end of a season everyone goes to Sharky's and it's super fun going, but I have to tell myself "no, go home. Go home and go to sleep."
I do allow myself to go out and party/drink with everyone but I try to keep it to a minimum.
I'm not necessarily in the axes you're throwing, but I am interested in your thought process in what you're looking for in your axe. What do you seek out in your ideal axe?
I'm not sure, specifically. I always come back to the hammerback. I have one that has a smaller, lighter handle. And I did go back to a stock handle because I wanted a bit more weight.
I like how the weight of the hammerback head is when throwing. I've thrown Flying Foxes and IATF - and it might be different if I got a custom handle - but the stocks for both of those just didn't work for me. I've always gone back to the hammerback.
Big axe I'm still trying to figure out. I just got an Agdor Yankee and I'm really enjoying that one. I've thrown a WATL big axe, the Ace Hardware big boy. I don't like the IATF big axe, for sure.
Yeah, the paint on that one is sticky.
Agreed.
So you were at Choptober as well. How did you like that?
Oh it was so fun. I think - the tournament is cool and all, but it's all the extra stuff that really make it, you know? Double shovel was the best, Yahtzee and all the team stuff was what made the tournament what it was.
Do you have any goals for axe throwing in general, or any goals for what remains of this year?
I've changed my throw, so I've been improving on that. I really want to hit another Standard 81 because I only have one of those so far. I'd love to hit a Premier 81. I think that's it for the rest of the year.
Anyone you'd like to shout out or anything you wished I asked you?
No, I don't think so.
Thanks to Axestrator for taking the time, and for coming on out to Meduseld for one of our funtime tourneys.
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