The pastime of throwing axes has become a cult-like activity across the continent as ax-throwing centers have popped up in every single major city in North America and many beyond. Since around 2015 the trend started, and now it’s as strong as ever. Even some of the quietest, small and shy people I know are aggressively chucking axes end over end at targets in throwing facilities and even their backyards here in my town! Wow, let’s see what kind of hardware people are using!
A throwing ax is an ax that is designed to be used as a close-range weapon or as a melee weapon. How a throwing ax differs from a throwing knife is that it has more weight and length, giving it a much more brutal impact. The ax also has more uses since the blade is actually sharp–you can actually cut down trees with a throwing ax.
This article will review the 5 best throwing axes and recommend the best choice. Don’t be fooled, price does not equal to quality with throwing axes!
What to Look for in the Best Throwing Axe
You would want a throwing ax that is made of sturdy materials. If it is made of weak steel, the axe can break if it hits a hard object or is dropped. Also, you would want an ax that has a good sheath. Like all knives, a good sheath makes the knife much safer and it’ll protect the blade making it last longer.
The length of the ax and the ax’s weight will determine how fast it will spin, how far it will go, and how much impact it will have. Lighter axes will have less force, distance, and more spin than a heavy ax. Some individuals like heavier axes because they can calibrate their throws easier. A special type of axe that many throwers like are throwing tomahawks. They are very light and small compared to other axes.
The Best Throwing Axes
1. No products found.
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Southern Grind is a company that was started by country singer and knife enthusiast Zac Brown. He personally oversees the design and production of each and every product. Peachtree City, Georgia is home to his production facility (really just a glorified metal shop) and his team makes knives and metal works that are designed to be highly functional and ruggedly dependable. No knife leaves Southern Grind’s workshop without meeting the high standards set forth by the man in charge.
The Southern Grind Wasp is a super lightweight, balanced throwing ax made from skeletonized 8670M high carbon steel with a tumbled satin finish. It measures 11.5″ in total length and it weighs 10.2 ounces. That intimidating notch on the top is actually a benign little bottle opener, but it looks like an ax from Mordor or something!
It has finely sharpened edges on the head and spike and they’ll stick a target with ease regardless of how you throw your ax. Each ax is marked with a Wasp logo on the handle, and a decorative cutout on the head. This set includes 4 throwing axes and a custom Kydex sheath for secure storage. It’s fully made in the USA so that’s a bonus as far as we’re concerned!
PLEASE NOTE
the AMAZON price includes 4 (yes FOUR) axes, not one as the photo indicates
2. Condor Double Bit Throwing Axe
Condor Double Bit Throwing Axe
Condor is a brand worth considering as they’ve fully thrown their hat into the ring, vying for top spot in the throwing ax industry. This Throwing Axe from Condor features a double bit design with a black traction powder coat and a tan paracord handle wrap. No cheap materials here!
The ax is made from 1075 high carbon steel that has been heat-treated and annealed to approximately 50-55 Rockwell hardness (HRC). It has a paracord wrapped handle for improved grip and survival applications. Item includes a canvas sheath with a leather belt loop attachment. It’s 12.5 inches long and weighs 1 lb 4.8 oz. Hey, here’s something you don’t hear every day; It’s made in El Salvador! (just a useless bit of fun info!)
3. Perfect Point Throwing Axe
Okay, I’ll level with you! The reason this ax made our list of best throwing axes is that it gives you a decent value for the cash. It’s true that more than a few owners of this set of axes have complained of the head actually breaking off. That’s a bit uncomfortable for me to read. Having said that, many more have raved of the quality and value. I’ll leave this one up to you, but unless you’re a hard-core thrower, I can’t imagine you’d be disappointed by the whole set – especially for the price! It’s super-cheap at under $40 (for FOUR axes) as I write this. That means that if you read this mini-review and decide to buy it after clicking the orange Amazon button above, Amazon will graciously mail me exactly $1 (minus processing fees).
4. Timber Wolf Battle Throwing Axe
Timber Wolf Battle Throwing Axe
The Timber Wolf is not a very exotic looking axe, but it’s super sturdy and very functional. It’s marketed as a throwing axe (and believe me, it IS!), but it’s a capable tool around the farm and campsite. It’s even durable enough for bigger tasks. It features a 5-inch head made of a solid slab of AUS-8 stainless steel. The handle is a sturdy hardwood that likely will never split at this length. The included leather belt sheath works very well (though it’s not exactly luxurious in any way). The axe measures 14 inches overall.
5. 2 Pack of MTECH 9
These MTechs are not a bad deal for the price, but they receive a mere 3.1 out of 5 rating on Amazon. The reason for the lower rating was that some buyers experienced a cracked handle. It is very replaceable with Amazon, but most units do not break, so let’s not borrow trouble!
This axe is 9-inches long and the head measures 2.5 inches wide and 4.75 inches long. It’s a full tang construction. The 6.5-inch handle is made of Pakkawood and the whole deal comes with a nylon sheath.
Conclusion: Finding the Best Throwing Axes
So, out of the 5 best throwing axes we have reviewed, which one should you buy? Well, the answer depends on who you are.
If you’re just curious about trying your hand at a few throws in the backyard, you may cough up the $40 for a set of the Perfect Point axes. You really don’t have too much to lose on this purchase, but please don’t think I’m endorsing the “excellent” quality, ’cause it ain’t there!!!
If you’re interested in something with a bit more quality and offered by premium retailers, I’d go for the No products found.. There’s a bit more professional pride going on here and the price reflects that! We believe you won’t be sorry about this purchase.
If you want a tomahawk to throw around, I highly recommend the Fast Hawk.
Do you have a favorite (or one that you really hate) ax? Leave me a comment (or nice words, or criticism) below!
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Nice article. I have a variety of ‘hawks, including SOGs – the best i have found is by far the Condor tactical throwing axe. It’s 1075 carbon steel (heat treated), and the head and handle are one piece so it will never break. They do a “field axe” version as well, which comes with a leather sheath and wood handle scales. If only it were 3 or 4 inches longer it would be the only hawk i’d ever want.
If you want a fighting ax that con also be thrown here are two companies that make very fine products both knives and axes and are major suppliers our armed forces such as special forces like Seals and Recon. Winkler knives 2 current supplier of the Seal team knife they are based in north Carolina and while a little pricey you will have truly great weapon if you buy from them.Mr Winkler runs the metal side while his wife does the sheath work .Their normal sheath is a leather covered kydex with a felt liningit comes with molle and belt clips as a ,leather belt attachment and has a inspection tag by two people I am lucky enough to own a Winkler 2 belt knife and it is my opinion that their work is second to none. RMJ Tactical is based in Tennessee and they also do top notch work RMJ supplies knives and axes to lot of our armed forces .Iam luuky enough to also own one of RMJs knives it is the Peregrine and I am happy to say that the workmanship on this knife is a pleasure to behold the sheath for this knife is also a very nice leather covered kydex with great workmanship which make this knife a joy to carry.In closing I will say I feel lucky to own example s of these companies work and I know personally that they both go above and beyond in their concern for their customers and to show support for our forces in war I am proud to say I have done business with them in the past and will again in the future. PS Also a company in Ga called Southern Grind makes some great knives and throwing axes using reclaimed steel from old saw blades from old sawmills .Their throwing axes come in packs of four and are all steel if I remember correctly they are called the Wasp throwing axes . While I don’t own a set of these axes I do own a very fine large knife by this company if the axes are as good they will be first rate thank you for your time. RS
I am a hapkido guy who judges primarily based on practicality. For me, an ideal throwing ax would need to be useful in both close combat and for throwing. I have been researching what axes this would be the case for.
I am sad your article doesn’t go into more detail as to what to watch out for like many throwing knife articles. I wanted more specifics on shifts in balance, longer vs shorter axes, and ideal blade head sizes. I think I might try the 2nd option and also get a more practical axe however. Thank you anyways!
Just bought the schiflett throwing axe 3 hours ago. My first throw stuck. It is extremely balanced, making it extremely predictable. That blade on the back, is more of a spike, and I’ve stuck a few upside down. Strongly suggest it, you wont be let down. Wish I’d known that Amazon was selling them for half the price I bought it at the flea market.
If you want a fighting ax that con also be thrown here are two companies that make very fine products both knives and axes and are major suppliers our armed forces such as special forces like Seals and Recon. Winkler knives 2 current supplier of the Seal team knife they are based in north Carolina and while a little pricey you will have truly great weapon if you buy from them.Mr Winkler runs the metal side while his wife does the sheath work .Their normal sheath is a leather covered kydex with a felt liningit comes with molle and belt clips as a ,leather belt attachment and has a inspection tag by two people I am lucky enough to own a Winkler 2 belt knife and it is my opinion that their work is second to none. RMJ Tactical is based in Tennessee and they also do top notch work RMJ supplies knives and axes to lot of our armed forces .Iam luuky enough to also own one of RMJs knives it is the Peregrine and I am happy to say that the workmanship on this knife is a pleasure to behold the sheath for this knife is also a very nice leather covered kydex with great workmanship which make this knife a joy to carry.In closing I will say I feel lucky to own example s of these companies work and I know personally that they both go above and beyond in their concern for their customers and to show support for our forces in war I am proud to say I have done business with them in the past and will again in the future.
Any idea what the best edge is for a throwing ax – concave on a belt grinder, or convex on a wheel? Given you’re not trying to cut through wood, and just stick in the wood, it seems that a concave edge is better.