Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
What was once a fairly dangerous backyard bonding activity is becoming a sanctioned recreational league sport. Valley Park’s The Axe House (20 Meramec Valley Plaza, 314-338-6171, ) has been hosting hatchet hurlers of all levels since opening last spring, and its management aspires to expose even more locals to the art of ax throwing. The key, says co-owner Tina Flower, is to throw it harder than you think you should. “Some people come in and they’re afraid they’re going to hurt something,” she says, “but once they get over that, they’re fine.”
• Dress comfortably. You’ll want adequate range of motion for your arms. And wear closed-toe shoes; it’s possible for an ax to bounce off the target.
• Begin with the smaller wood-chopping hatchets, the 1.25-pound ones with plastic handles, before advancing to ninja stars, knives, or 3-foot axes.
• Hold the hatchet at the lower part of the handle, just above the knob on the butt. You might have to choke up a little to throw it correctly. The motion is the same as that required to throw a ball, but keep your wrist stiff.
• Look at the target and keep your body square. Start with your feet together, then raise the hatchet behind your head with the blade up. Step forward with your non-dominant foot and release the hatchet before your elbow fully extends.
• The goal is to have the ax make one full rotation before it lands in the target. It doesn’t take a lot of strength to throw an ax well, but it does require a little oomph. “Don’t be dainty,” says Flower.
• Throwing overhand with two hands is a bit more stable, especially for beginners; throwing one-handed can make the ax turn inward as it leaves your hand, causing it to strike the target with its flat side instead of the blade.
• If you’re practicing next to someone, make sure to throw together, approach the target together afterward to retrieve your axes, and walk back together. You don’t want someone throwing while you’re retrieving.
• There is no catching of the axes (an actual directive Flower has had to give). And don’t leave one ax in the target while throwing another—it can damage handles and blades.
• The circular target comprises five rings; the outermost ring is worth 1 point, and the bulls-eye's worth 6. Each player gets 10 throws per game. (Visit the World Axe Throwing League's site for additional rules and regulations.)
This article was originally published in St. Louis Magazine's May 2018 issue.
