During the Harry Potter Marathon, I got the chance to sit down (we were both standing, actually, at the bar in the Meadery) with The Russian Viking to chit chat. TRV has actually visited the meadery pretty often as of late, and he always brings with him a lot of kindness and good-natured frivolity, so I was super stoked to finally get the chance to record his dulcet tones.
What's your home axe house?
Urban Axes Baltimore.
How long have you thrown?
::A long sigh, like we are in a 1940's Noir about a gritty detective and I just asked what happened to his last partner::
It will be two years Saint Paddy's Day weekend.
So you just went out on Saint Paddy's Day and got into it?
So actually--how I got into [axe throwing] is my friend, Two Clutch Anna, was trying to convince us to do the beginner's league. But $140 is a little too much for me, so I skipped it but she absolutely loved it.
And then they had one of those free, come throw open house things a week or two before league started and I did that because why not, it's free. And I was hooked. Signed up that day and the rest is history.
So do you travel a lot, or do you just come up here (Lancaster, PA) a lot?
The Urban Open was my first major tournament. Last year at the Open I went but didn't throw, because I didn't feel I was good enough to throw -- plus I was on call for work. This past year I told myself I was doing everything. I wanted to go to Choptober but already made plans for my Halloween party, so I didn't do that this year because I really wanted to go to Choptober.
I have plans to head to Axe Axe Throwing in Pittsburgh this March.
I just really like throwing at different venues when I can.
What's the benefit, there? Throwing at different venues I mean.
Honestly, getting used to throwing in unfamiliar places. Every place requires little adjustments. Like, throwing at the Meadery requires a bit of an adjustment, because the lanes are different and the wood is different for the boards.
What do you like best about the way you throw?
Honestly, I'm just happy to be throwing. I've probably gone through a dozen different axes over two years, trying to figure out what works and what doesn't. Currently I'm throwing with a Plumb Hammerback with a handle by Kevin Bradley and another Plumb with a Kevin Bradley handle. I think I've found my axes for now.
Anything you want to add to the interview?
I dunno...throw better?
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