Whether you’re chopping wood, splitting logs, or creating an outdoor shelter, a throwing axe is an invaluable tool. First of all, it can be used to create firewood by simply thrusting the blade into the ground and twisting the handle. Secondly, this type of axe can be used to cut through trees and branches up to 20 inches in diameter, making them useful for clearing paths and trails as well as removing large tree stumps. And lastly, they are versatile enough to use for cutting through brush, stripping wires, and even harvesting a sprig of fresh herbs.
While most axes have a flat edge on one side (the blade) and a rounded edge on the other (the butt), a throwing axe has a sharp point at each end that allows it to slice cleanly through wood without squashing or mangling it. These axes also feature a long, tapered shaft with a weighted head that gives it added torque while it’s being thrown.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Throwing Axe
When shopping for a new throwing axe, there are several factors to consider. The following section looks at these in detail.
Intended Use
The main use of a throwing axe is hunting or combat; however, it can also be used for forestry work and as a tool for self-defense if necessary.
- Hunting: This type of axe is primarily used for killing large animals such as deer and boars. It has a narrow head with a sharp edge that allows it to cut through flesh and bone without getting stuck. However, it’s not well suited for cutting through small branches or thin tree trunks because its shape makes it difficult to get a clean cut.
- Combat: These axes have a broad head with an extended handle designed for striking and swinging. They’re excellent weapons for hand-to-hand combat but may cause more damage than usual when you’re using them for hunting since they tend to crush rather than cut wood.
- Woodcutting: While these tools were originally made for cutting down trees, their handles make them easy to swing around while working on projects like sawing logs into firewood. Some modern versions have a narrower head for better control while cutting, though traditional round-headed axes remain popular.
- Self-defense: If you find yourself threatened by someone, this heavy, powerful weapon will help you defend yourself. Its weight and size will allow you to easily swing it at your attacker. Keep in mind that although it might seem obvious, an axe meant for chopping trees won’t do much good if it hits a solid object instead of a log.
Blade Material
A typical throwing axe blade is made from either steel or fiberglass laminate (often called resin). Each material has its benefits and downsides.
- Steel blades are tough but can easily become rusty if they aren’t properly cared for. Steel blades are harder than resin blades and generally require less maintenance, though regular cleaning and lubrication still helps prevent friction and wear.
- Resin blades don’t rust but can crack if left untreated. Resin blades are easier to maintain than steel blades and don’t need as much TLC, but they’re not quite as durable as steel blades. Also, keep in mind that some resins are treated with a coating to increase durability.
Head Shape
There are two main types of heads on today’s market: round and flat-faced.
- Round-headed: As mentioned above, these are the classic ax shapes that most people imagine when they think about an axe. On average, these heads weigh slightly more than flat-faced models, making them ideal for combat applications where a heavier weapon means greater force.
- Flat-faced: Rather than a rounded tip, these axes feature a flattened top known as a sole. This design improves traction and balance, making them ideal for walking and running. However, they’re often lighter than round-head models, so they may not provide as much power.
Handle Design
An axe handle should feel comfortable in your hands whether you’re swinging it for a walk or trying to chop your way out of a survival situation. For instance, if the handle is too short, it could lead to strained muscles or even blisters. Conversely, if the handle is too long, it could cause problems finding what you’re aiming at or make it hard to wield the axe effectively.
Fortunately, handles come in many lengths, allowing you to choose one that fits your height and strength. Also, padded grips help reduce shock to your hands when you’re swinging an axe repeatedly.
Length
Choosing an axe based solely on its length isn’t always optimal. For example, a short pole cutter may be great for clearing debris away from your car, whereas a longer spear point model would probably be better equipped for digging trenches or moving rocks. However, there are plenty of 2-, 3-, and 4-foot options available, giving you a wide range of choices depending on your intended use for the axe.
Weight
It’s important to remember here that an axe isn’t just a piece of metal attached to a wooden handle. It’s actually a very complex instrument that uses various materials and manufacturing techniques to create something unique. So, while weight might seem like an unimportant factor until you need to lift or carry it, it does matter.
Generally speaking, full-length pole saws between 16 and 20 ounces, hatchets fall between 28 and 32 ounces, and tomahawks reach 50 pounds or so. That said, individual variation exists among individuals.
Locking Mechanism
One of the biggest advantages of having an axe is the ability to lock it in place during transportation or storage. Whether you’re carrying it on your belt or hanging it up in your garage, a locking mechanism keeps things secure. Most manufacturers incorporate some kind of locking mechanism into their products, usually consisting of a simple button or switch on the end of the handle. By pushing the button or switching the lever, you engage the lock, preventing accidental activation when storing the axe or transporting it.
Hardness Rating
In addition to being able to resist corrosion, an axe needs to be hard enough to withstand impact without breaking. Generally speaking, full-length pole saw blades start at a hardness rating of 15 on the Rockwell scale, which measures resistance to deformation. Hatchet blades typically rate 14a, tomahawk blades 13b, and axeheads 12a.
Keep in mind that these numbers refer to how resistant the steel is to deforming when exposed to extreme temperatures and pressures. What this means in practical terms is that an axe will break if you drop it on a hard surface or hit it against another item in your arsenal (like a gun barrel). To avoid this fate, look for an axe with a minimum hardness rating of 22a (on the Rockwell scale) or 18k (on the Brinell scale), which indicates that it resists deformation when dropped on a hard surface multiple times.
Types Of Throwing Axes
Throwing axe is a generic term for any wood-splitting tool with an axe blade that’s designed to be thrown at the target. There are many styles and sizes of these tools, but they all have one thing in common – you need to get your arm behind the axe head to throw it.
Axe Throwing Chucks
The most popular type of throwing axe today combines two very different types of axes into one compact package. The inner workings of this hybrid are more complex than traditional single-blade axes, so we’ll break them down separately. This style of throwing axe features a standard single-bladed axe inside of a larger metal tube. This design gives you extra force on the inner part of the blade, which makes chopping through thick hardwoods much easier.
Double-Blade Throwing Axes
These axes feature two blades instead of one. While double bladed axes may look identical at first glance, there are some key differences between the two types of throwing axes. For starters, double-bladed axes tend to be heavier overall because they’re made from stronger steel. They also take up more space due to their longer handles.
In addition, because both of the axe’s blades will strike the log at the same time, using a double-bladed axe makes it more difficult to split logs. Before making an effort to cut through the log, you will need to first force the blades inwards toward each other using a wedge or a sledgehammer.
Lastly, while both methods of throwing an axe demand precision, you should avoid putting anything in danger by throwing a double-bladed axe because it has a greater potential to cause damage. When using an axe of this type, your throwing should always be done with caution.
How We Chose our top picks
The selection process for the best throwing axes involved looking at a number of different aspects. To begin, our primary objective was to track down axes that were robust enough to withstand repeated use out in the field.
In addition to their durability, we took into account their price point, weight, convenience of use, and how simple it is to keep the axe in working order. Only the most long-lasting materials made the cut, and because of their longevity, steel blades are the material of choice for this purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions About Throwing Axes
How do you throw an axe?
The best way to learn how to properly and safely use a tool is by watching someone who knows what they’re doing. However, there are several methods for learning how to use a new or unfamiliar tool.
What size should my throwing axe be?
Your throwing axe’s length will depend on what activities you plan to use it in. For general tasks around the farm or backyard, go with a seven-or eight-inch blade. If you plan to compete in any kind of organized competition, go with something longer, say 10 inches or so. If you just want to have some fun and practice at home, then go with something shorter, say five inches or so. Anything over 10 inches can be used as a heavy-duty hatchet if needed.
Are throwing axes worth it?
If you love to hit things hard and fast while maintaining excellent control, then yes. They also make great training weapons for self defense scenarios.