Standard Throwing Axe (Hatchet) Requirements

1. The handle must be made from wood;

2. The axe must be a single bit blade, ie: no blade or sharpened spike may be protruding from the back of the axe head.

1. Handle length

The length must be a minimum of 13” long and cannot exceed a maximum of 17” long:

1. This measurement begins from the bottom (butt) of the handle to the top of the axe head. See Image 2.1.2;

2. If any of the handle protrudes from the top of the axe head (eye) it does not count towards the minimum or maximum handle length. See image 2.1.1;

Image 2.1 (2.1.1 & 2.1.2)

2. Weight

The axe must weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds of total weight (handle included).

3. Head Length

The axe head length, measured from blade to butt, must be a minimum of 5". The maximum length is 7".

4. Head Height

The axe head height, measured parallel to the handle, must be a minimum of 1.5". The maximum height is 4”.

5. One Solid Piece

The head of the axe must remain one solid piece from face to the handle. ie no parts added to or removed from the head from its original design. Any manipulation beyond sharpening the blade will be considered heavily modified and illegal. (Standard sharpening practice)

6. Head Truth

The axe head must retreat from the blade back to the handle of the axe in its true form without any sudden or abrupt decreases prior to reaching the handle of the axe. The head cannot suddenly decrease from the maximum height down to the minimum height immediately after the blade or in the middle of the head. For example: no notches cut out, no bearded axes.

7. Head at the Handle Size

The head height at the handle cannot be larger than any other point of the axe head from the handle to the blade except, or until the point at which the head meets the handle.

8. Blade Length

1. The blade of the axe must be no longer than 4" and no shorter than 3” and must be fixed to the handle of the axe with an eye-wedge or a pin (example: no ‘floating’ axe heads where the head itself is wedged on a tapering handle and only held there through gravity.)

9.Blade Modifications

The blade of the axe must remain true, with one smooth, sharpened edge that is a consistent length from point to point. See image 2.2.1.

1. Blade cannot have notches cut out. See image 2.2.2 and 2.2.3.

2. Blade cannot have multiple edges. See image 2.2.4.

3. Blade cannot have one point set or angled back from the other point. See image 2.2.5.

Concave Blades

The blade cannot be concave, thus preventing contact of the axe, when a tip of the axe hits the target first. See image 2.2.6.

1. Blade cannot have a concave blade, preventing contact of the blade with the target. 

2. The Blade cannot have an inconsistent edge that abruptly drops creating multiple edges along the top edge of the axe head.

Image 2.2.1

Image 2.2.2

Image 2.2.3

Image 2.2.4

Image 2.2.5

Image 2.2.6

11. Acceptable Modifications

Acceptable modifications include:

1. Etching into the side of the axe head.

2. Painting the head or handle.

3. Changing the handle.

4. Adjustments to the grip of the handle. For example: tape, sanding the handle, etc.

12. Referee's Final Decision

Axes that have been modified or forged in a fashion beyond what would be considered a traditional axe shape, with the intention to manipulate the rules of the game and go against the spirit of the sport will be disqualified. At any given event, the final call on axe legality will be left in the hands of the on-site referees.

Acceptable Axe Head Examples

Unacceptable Axe Head Examples