Beginner's guide

So you're getting into axe throwing

Axe throwing is easier to start than it looks and harder to master than you'd think. Stance and release click within your first session. What keeps people coming back is chasing that bullseye, joining a league, and a genuinely social scene built around the sport. Here's exactly what you need to get started.

By Colin B. · Published May 24, 2026 · Last reviewed May 24, 2026

Photo by Acton Crawford on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

CRKT Kangee T-Hawk — The CRKT Kangee is well-balanced, properly weighted, and the hatchet most NATF throwers recommend to beginners.
BIGSHOT Pro Wooden Axe Throwing Target — Pre-cut pine target boards in the correct formation — this is what every backyard range needs.
Lansky Puck Dual-Grit Sharpener — A sharp axe sticks; a dull one bounces. This pocket sharpener handles it in two minutes.

Budget total

$80

Typical total

$180

A good throwing hatchet and a basic target board gets you started for around $80-100. Add a proper stand and maintenance kit and you're at $150-180.

At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

Category	Top pick	Price	Where to buy
Throwing Axes	CRKTCRKT Kangee T-Hawk	$$	See on Amazon →
Target Boards	BIGSHOTBIGSHOT Pro Wooden Axe Throwing Target	$$$	See on Amazon →
Target Stand & Backstop	Viking CultureViking Culture Axe Throwing Target with Stand	$$$	See on Amazon →
Blade Maintenance	LanskyLansky Puck Dual-Grit Sharpener	$	See on Amazon →

Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Go to a venue first. Most cities have at least one axe-throwing bar or venue where $20-35 gets you a lane, an instructor, and axes to throw for 90 minutes. One session teaches you whether you like the sport and which axe weight feels right — information you can't get from product listings.

Sharpness is not optional. A dull axe will bounce off the board more often than it sticks. Every throwing axe you buy needs a proper edge before you throw it, and maintenance every few sessions. Budget for a sharpening stone.

The throwing distance is fixed. Standard hatchet distance is 12-15 feet from target (venue-dependent). You need that much clear space in your backyard. Measure before you order a target stand.

The gear

What you actually need

Photo by Canyon Swartz on Unsplash

Throwing Axes

The right axe for throwing is not a camping axe, a splitting maul, or a full-size felling axe. You want a mid-weight hatchet — 1.25 to 1.75 lbs — with a handle in the 13-16 inch range and a flat, thin blade grind. Most leagues use this format (NATF standard). The key is consistent release: a hatchet that's well-balanced from the factory will stick more consistently than an expensive but poorly-weighted upgrade. Buy one good hatchet, throw it several hundred times, and only then decide if you want to go deeper on gear.

Throwing Axes — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Standard Hatchet (NATF / WATL)

The universal beginner format. Works at any venue.

Weight: 1.25–1.75 lbs
Handle: 13–16"
Distance: 12–15 ft

Best for Beginners, league play, most backyard setups

Tradeoff Less dramatic than big axe, but easiest to learn

↓ See our pick

Big Axe (WATL)

Heavier competition format. More power, steeper learning curve.

Weight: 3–3.5 lbs
Handle: 24–30"
Distance: 20–22 ft

Best for WATL competition, experienced throwers, larger backyards

Tradeoff Takes 2-3x longer to get consistent sticks than a hatchet

Best starter

CRKT

CRKT Kangee T-Hawk

CRKT builds the Kangee specifically as a throwing tomahawk — proper balance point, a flat 2.5mm thin grind that buries cleanly, and a 19" Tennessee hickory handle that absorbs impact well. It's the hatchet most league coaches hand to first-timers. At around $60-70, it's not the cheapest pick, but you won't be fighting the axe to get consistent sticks.

What we like

Designed specifically for throwing — proper balance and thin grind
Hickory handle absorbs impact and resists cracking on hard boards
Trusted by NATF coaches as a first-day hatchet

What to know

Factory edge needs sharpening before first session
Pricier than budget options at $60-70

See on Amazon →

Budget pick

Cold Steel

Cold Steel Trail Hawk

The Trail Hawk has been a budget favorite in the throwing community for years. Under $35, it's 1.3 lbs with a 22" American hickory handle and a thin, flat blade that sticks reasonably well once you sharpen the edge. The handle is interchangeable if it cracks, which it eventually will. You'll outgrow it, but it's a perfectly functional way to decide if the sport is for you.

What we like

Under $35 — lowest cost to try the sport with real gear
Replaceable American hickory handle is cheap and easy to swap
Flat blade grind sticks reliably when kept sharp

What to know

Head-to-handle fit loosens noticeably over time
Light at 1.3 lbs — some beginners find heavier axes more forgiving

See on Amazon →

Upgrade pick

Husqvarna

Husqvarna 13-Inch Multipurpose Hatchet

Husqvarna's compact hatchet wasn't designed for competition throwing, but it's become one of the most popular backyard choices because it's beautifully balanced at 1.5 lbs, holds an edge well (Swedish steel), and has a gorgeous hickory handle with a rubber grip. Once you've been throwing for a month, this is the hatchet you'll reach for in the backyard.

What we like

Swedish steel holds an edge significantly longer than budget options
Beautifully balanced at 1.5 lbs — predictable release feel
Hickory handle with rubber grip cushions hand impact

What to know

Curved handle is non-standard for NATF league competition
Not designed for throwing — no thin blade grind from factory

See on Amazon →

Photo by Remy Gieling on Unsplash

Target Boards

A proper axe-throwing target is five vertical 2×12 pine boards, 4 feet tall, butted tight together. The softness of the pine is the point — it lets the blade bite in. Hard wood, OSB, or plywood will bounce the axe more than it sticks. If you're buying pre-made boards, make sure they're kiln-dried pine or poplar, roughly 3-4 inches thick combined across the face. Replace individual boards when they split through.

Best starter

BIGSHOT

BIGSHOT Pro Wooden Axe Throwing Target

$$$

Pre-cut to the correct dimensions, kiln-dried pine, and ships as a ready-to-mount set. Saves the Home Depot run and the measuring. Comes with painted bullseye rings and mounting hardware. Not cheap, but for a first backyard setup this is the fastest path to throwing the same day it arrives.

What we like

Pre-cut to NATF dimensions — no measuring or cutting required
Kiln-dried pine bites the blade reliably from day one
Painted bullseye rings eliminate the guesswork on scoring

What to know

Boards split after several hundred throws — replacement cost adds up
Pricier than buying raw pine at a lumber yard

See on Amazon →

Budget pick

WATL

WATL Official Target Stencil

If you're sourcing your own 2×12 pine boards from a lumber yard (the cheaper path), the WATL stencil kit paints the official scoring rings on them accurately. Costs under $20, and your own boards will be fresher and cheaper than pre-made sets anyway. The DIY route for backyard setups that will see heavy use.

What we like

Under $20 — cheapest path to a properly marked target
Official WATL ring dimensions for accurate league-style scoring

What to know

Requires separate purchase of 2×12 pine boards from a lumber yard
Paint needs to dry before you can throw — plan ahead

See on Amazon →

Target Stand & Backstop

Your boards need to be held vertical and stable enough to absorb repeated impacts without moving. A simple A-frame stand works for most backyard setups. More important than the stand is the backstop: any axe that misses the board needs to hit something that won't ricochet — a thick rubber mat, a wood wall, or a fabric backstop behind the target. Don't skip this. Bounce-backs are the main safety hazard in backyard setups.

Best starter

Viking Culture

Viking Culture Axe Throwing Target with Stand

$$$

A complete setup — official-size wooden target and a free-standing frame in one kit. Folds flat, ships assembled, and holds up to repeated throws. If you just want to throw in your backyard without building anything, this is the fastest path to a ready range.

What we like

Steel frame handles repeated impact without flex or walk
Folds flat for garage storage between sessions
Adjustable height fits different board sizes

What to know

Heavy — you'll want a second person for first-time assembly
Pricier than a DIY lumber-and-lag-bolt frame

See on Amazon →

Budget pick

BIGSHOT

BIGSHOT Axe Target Replacement Sections

Target boards wear out — a bullseye that has taken a thousand throws compresses and starts bouncing axes. These replacement pine sections swap into a BIGSHOT target frame and restore a fresh biting surface. Plan on replacing your boards every few months of active throwing.

What we like

Fresh pine surface restores sticking quality after heavy use
Swaps into existing BIGSHOT frame without tools

What to know

BIGSHOT-specific fit — not compatible with DIY frames
Budget-wise, DIY lumber from a hardware store costs less per section

See on Amazon →

Blade Maintenance

A sharp axe sticks. A dull axe bounces. This is the most underrated variable in axe throwing — you can have perfect form and still see every throw bounce off a blade that's lost its edge. Budget throwers who sharpen regularly outperform expensive-axe owners who don't. Plan on touching up your edge every 2-3 sessions with a pocket sharpener, and doing a proper stone pass every few weeks.

Best starter

Lansky

Lansky Puck Dual-Grit Sharpener

The Lansky Puck is the classic axe sharpening tool — dual-grit (coarse and fine), fits in a pocket, and works on any axe blade without any setup. Two-minute touch-up before a session keeps your edge in throwing shape. The puck shape matches the convex geometry of axe blades better than a flat stone.

What we like

Dual-grit covers both restoration and finishing in one tool
Puck shape matches axe blade geometry better than flat stones
Fits in your gear bag — sharpen at the range before a session

What to know

Angle consistency takes practice — watch a tutorial first
Coarse side removes metal aggressively; avoid on fine knives

See on Amazon →

Specialty pick

Ballistol

Ballistol Multi-Purpose Oil (6 oz)

After sharpening, a light wipe of oil on the blade prevents rust between sessions. Ballistol is the throwing community's standard for blade and handle care — it protects metal from oxidation and conditions wood handles without softening them.

What we like

Protects steel and conditions wood in one product
The throwing community's standard — reliable and widely available

What to know

Slight odor — some people find it off-putting
Over-application makes the blade surface slick; less is more

See on Amazon →

Going deeper

Your first 5 hours of axe throwing

Most beginners land their first stick within 10 throws. Getting consistently good — that takes a little longer. Here's what your first five hours actually look like, and what to focus on.

Read the guide →

Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

A dedicated competition axe from a custom forge — Custom forged competition axes ($150-300+) are for league players who throw 3+ times a week. You won't feel the difference until you have reliable mechanics.
Electronic scoring systems — LED target rings and Bluetooth scoring apps look cool. Painted rings on pine boards are free and work just as well.
An axe-throwing glove — Gloves change your feel of the handle and can hurt your release consistency. Most coaches recommend bare hands or a simple athletic grip tape wrap.
Multiple axes — The competition format uses two throws per round, so some people buy pairs. For learning, one axe is plenty — the walk to retrieve it is part of the pace.
A full league membership on day one — NATF and WATL leagues are genuinely fun, but throw for 4-6 weeks first so you're not paying league fees while you're still figuring out the rotation.

First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

Book a venue session before buying anything. · Action
- Find a NATF venue · North American Axe Throwing Federation venue finder
- Find a WATL venue · World Axe Throwing League venue locator
Order your throwing hatchet so it arrives before your backyard session. · Buy
- Jump to our pick: CRKT Kangee T-Hawk
Sharpen the blade before your first throw. · Action
Order or build your target boards. · Buy
- Jump to our pick: BIGSHOT Pro Wooden Axe Throwing Target
Set a throwing line at exactly 12 feet from your target face and mark it with tape. · Action
Learn the two-hand overhand throw first. The one-hand throw comes later. · Learn
- NATF beginner throw tutorial · Official technique and safety rules
Aim for 20-30 throws per session in your first week. Your release will start becoming consistent around throw 40-50. · Action

FAQ

Common questions

How much does it cost to start throwing axes at home?

A solid throwing hatchet ($40-70) and a basic target board set ($60-120) puts you in the $100-190 range. If you source your own pine boards from a lumber yard you can get that under $80.

Is axe throwing dangerous?

It's as safe as archery when done properly. The main rules: clear the lane before retrieving your axe, never throw at a wet board (it causes unpredictable bounces), and always have a proper backstop. Venues enforce these rules; backyard throwers have to enforce them yourself.

Do I need any experience to go to a venue?

None. Every axe-throwing venue runs beginner orientation before you enter a lane — it's usually 10-15 minutes. You'll be throwing (and sticking) within your first 20 minutes. No prior experience required.

What's the difference between NATF and WATL?

NATF (North American Axe Throwing Federation) and WATL (World Axe Throwing League) are the two main governing bodies. Both run recreational and competitive leagues. WATL is somewhat larger globally; NATF is dominant in the US Southeast and Midwest. Check which league your local venue is affiliated with.

How long does it take to get consistent?

Most people land their first stick within the first 5-10 throws. Getting reliably consistent — where you can aim at the bullseye and hit it more often than not — takes 4-8 hours of practice spread over a few sessions.

Can I use any axe, or does it have to be a specific type?

For backyard throwing, any well-balanced 1.25-1.75 lb hatchet with a thin blade grind works. For NATF/WATL league competition, axes must meet specific specs (weight, handle length, blade width). Check your league's rulebook before buying a competition axe.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

NATF — North American Axe Throwing Federation — The major US governing body for competitive axe throwing. Rules, rankings, venue finder, and sanctioned tournament calendar.
WATL — World Axe Throwing League — The global league with venues in North America, Europe, and Australia. More international presence than NATF; runs both hatchet and big-axe formats.
WATL Axe Throwing Handbook — Official rules, scoring, legal axe specs, and safety requirements. Essential reading before joining any league.
r/axethrowing — Active community for technique questions, gear recommendations, and troubleshooting. Good for 'why isn't my axe sticking' posts.
Forged Axes (YouTube) — One of the best YouTube channels for axe-throwing technique. Clear instruction on the one-hand and two-hand overhand throws.

Photo by John Hatchet on Unsplash