Throwing axes is so much fun! It can be incredibly relaxing, or it can be a competition. There are dozens of different throwing axes you can buy.
Contents
Here are some of the best throwing axes available today.
Top Throwing Axes For 2023
Best Quality Made For The Money – The Commander Gen2
This throwing axe by WATL USA is a beast of a throwing axe! Weighing in at 2. 2 pounds, this axe has a wide straight wooden hickory handle making for a comfortable grip – this axe has a flat blade design making it much easier to control.
The blade is 1055 hot forged steel making it durable. This axe also comes with a free sheath for storage and protection. It is perfect for all skill levels.
Pros:
- No sharpening is required out of the box.
- Very durable and can take a beating.
Cons:
- It is a bit more expensive than the other options on this list.
Starter Axe For Beginners – The Competition Thrower WATL Premium Competition Throwing Axe
The best beginner throwing axe from the World Axe Throwing League is an excellent starter option for new axe throwers.
Its thin profile (2.2 pounds) focuses all the throwing force on the target. The sharp blade, made of 1055 hot forged steel, ensures a clean strike every time, and its curved edge design ensures a precision throw every time.
The 16-inch hickory wood handle is easy to customize by cutting it to your preferred length. Its perfectly balanced design means it’s effortless to throw and aim. It’s the perfect competition thrower.
Pros:
- Sharpened and ready to throw right out of the box.
- Comes with a blade sheath.
- The straight handle allows you to size it down if needed.
Cons:
- The thinner handle does cause a bit of rolling on your throw, but I believe this is an excellent opportunity to work on your throw control.
Inexpensive, Budget & Cheap – Cold Steel Throwing Axe
The Cold Steel throwing axe is an excellent budget choice with a lot of bang for your buck.
This 16-inch cold steel throwing axe is an affordable option that can be customized with your logo or design! You can also cut it down to your desired length to make it comfortable for you to throw.
It has a beautiful, sharp, and durable design guaranteed to hit your target every time! It’s also an excellent option for competitive throwers as it meets the World Axe Throwing League’s official specs for competition axes!
Pros:
- Durable.
- Straightforward design.
- Very inexpensive compared to similar options.
Cons:
- While I have not experienced this, I have heard of some people having quality control issues.
Large – The Patriot Throwing Axe
This axe is for those that want a perfect throw every time. A thin profile, good weight at 3.55 pounds, long length at 26 inches, and straight handle make the perfect thrower. This axe has a sheath, so you can take it anywhere.
The 1045 carbon steel is hot forged, which gives it an edge that is strong and durable. Pre-sharpened and ready to go right out of the box.
It meets all the specifications required by the World Axe Throwing League for competition axes, so this is an excellent option if you want to compete! This is a great option for intermediate to advanced throwers.
This is definitely one of the best options if you are looking for an axe with everything. This is a steal for the price.
Pros:
- Ready to throw right out of the box.
- Well balanced.
- The straight handle helps with throw accuracy.
Cons
- Not suitable for shorter throwers.
Best From SOG – SOG Fasthawk
The SOG Fasthawk is an excellent option from SOG.
The head is made of 420 stainless steel, durable enough to make it an excellent throwing axe. The straight edge blade allows for incredible accuracy and balances while striking the target.
It has a textured black polymer shaft molded to the blade, allowing for an ergonomic grip that improves your control of the weapon. It also comes with a nylon sheath for added protection and storage.
Overall this is an excellent throwing tomahawk choice for a professional or intermediate-level thrower! Definitely one of the top choices on the market! Well worth the price!
Pros:
- Great price.
Cons:
- The steel does not hold an edge for as long as a higher-quality steel axe would.
What Makes A Good Throwing Axe?
If you are like me, when you first got into axe throwing, you looked into the features of a good throwing axe. Maybe that is you right now. Here are some of the top things that you should consider when you are looking at purchasing a new throwing axe.
- Weight – Having a heavy head will make the weapon harder to control as you are swinging it around in the air before releasing it, plus it will be harder to handle as you throw it down range.
- Balance – A good balance is achieved by having a heavy head paired with a lightweight shaft, making this easier to throw and control in the air.
- Length – The longer the handle, the easier it is to control when spinning around while releasing the weapon; however, the longer the handle, the more distance you will lose on impact to the target, so a shorter length is better for beginners as well as professionals looking for a more accurate strike to the target.
- Handle – Handles that are too wide or too thin can make it hard to grip the weapon properly and control it during release; however, wider handles allow for a more significant margin of error when releasing the weapon by compensating for the larger surface area of the stick.
- Blade – The thicker the blade, the more momentum you will lose when you release it, which makes it harder to control, so stick to medium-thickness blades if you are just starting out with an axe.
- Head – There are many types of heads to choose from, such as wedge-shaped or double edge.
Brands To Look Out For
While there are many options out there, there are a few brands known for making quality axes that are worth the money and worth looking into!
Some examples of these brands are Cold Steel, SOG, Viking Tactics, and Helle Knives. These are a few options that I have used myself, and I highly recommend them.
FAQ
Most professional and competitive throwers use a small hatchet known as a “Throwing Hatchet” or a “Throwing Axe,” as they are much smaller and easier to control than a traditional hatchet. These are generally carbon steel but can also be found in stainless steel.
Depending on size and quality, throwing axes can cost anywhere from 20-$200+ dollars. A $20 axe may be small and not very well balanced, while a $200+ axe will be well balanced and have excellent craftsmanship. A $100+ axe will usually have a high-quality metal and a well-balanced design, making it an ideal option for an experienced thrower.
In today’s competitive sport of axe throwing, axes are typically thrown between 13 – 17 inches in length. However, shorter axes are often used for practice or recreational purposes. Axes that are too short to be competitive throw with too much spin to be accurate at the target. Longer axes tend to be harder to manage during release as it requires a lot more momentum to release. So it really depends on your preference.
Conclusion
So hopefully, you found this article helpful, giving you a better idea of what to look for when buying a throwing axe. Feel free to leave any questions in the comments below; I will be more than happy to help you!