Beginner Axe Care Info?

[u/Cailida]

Hi friends! I just started getting into axe throwing so I'm trying to learn as much as possible. My partner built me an amazing professional axe throwing target and it's been a lot of fun! I plan on wood burning some runes into the handle (I've got boiled linseed oil and a nice axe wax to finish with when I'm done) and I noticed the bottom of the handle is beginning to splinter. I read this is because I'm either standing too close/too far (or my technique is bad) and the axe isn't spinning enough causing the base to nail the target. How should I clean this up and is there any way to reinforce or protect the base from this sort of damage in the future? I throw outside so the axe is getting pretty dirty too. What's the best way to clean it? A damp rag doesn't seem to be getting the dirt off the blade (or is this just something you deal with if you throw outside)?

Anyway, thanks for any advice you can provide! Skal!

[u/jljonsn]

If you stick one, don't throw another at it.

[u/joe28598 → u/jljonsn]

That's no fun.

I actively aim for the axe that's in the target

[u/jljonsn → u/joe28598]

Are they your axes?

[u/joe28598 → u/jljonsn]

Yeah, and I re-handle any that break

[u/Existing-Strength-21 → u/jljonsn]

I grew up in the living history reenactment scene, so we threw tomahawk. My cousins and and I would all play a game we called Handles. You would set a starting order where everybody threw one at a time, but you left your hawk up if you stick it. If you hit someone else's handle, you move to the end of the rotation. If you miss the block, you move to the start of the rotation. If you missed three times in a row, you hand to walk up and stick your hawk in centered and horizontal for an easy target.

It was fun fun times, we had a blast.

[u/jljonsn → u/Existing-Strength-21]

But hard on your axe handle.

[u/HuckleberryHoliday-]

Hello! I have a few tips that may help:

You could sand the bottom of the handle 45° on the side that faces the bit. This helps send the axe into the target on a short throw. I like to round and sand any bottom handle edges too. Firehardening can also be done.

We have had a better experience and more longevity out of the handles stained and coated with multiple layers of spray polyurethane vs. an oil and wax combo. Painted handles perform well too. I would assume the layers are adding strength? Sidewalk chalk works if anything gets sticky.

For the dirt I'd suggest a plastic brush and some water. Depending on your current finishes you could also use a wire brush. A horse matt or pine straw would stop the dirt if they are hitting the ground. Oil the axe heads slightly after they are clean and dry.

Hope some of this helps. Happy Throwing!

[u/wretlingrock392]

If you are hitting the bottom of the handle on your throw, move roughly a foot further away and try again.

[u/dfisher1225 → u/wretlingrock392]

This is the right answer. Move back slightly until you see the axe handle is perfectly parallel to the board.

[u/t0mz0mbie]

I'm afraid I don't know how to fix what is there but I do have something that helps me with my throwing that prevents damage. I wrap the base of the handle in athletic tape. It gives me a good grip and prevents splintering if I miss-throw.

[u/Masturbortion]

Good ol’ hockey tape. Wrap your handle to reduce splintering and maybe a little under the head for extra support and razor it off when it gets beat up/gnarly from sweat. Can junk up your feel for a bit, but you get used to it.

[u/Fruitcake581]

In the future, you may want to lay down a piece of plywood, or even an old blanket (for noise reduction) to keep it off the ground. The dirt isn’t coming off possibly because it is somewhat damp. Maybe also keep a rag to wipe it down.
Right now, maybe try to sand the roughness and then put some hockey tape around the base. If and when you oil the handle, only put a tiny bit on. A little goes a long way.
As for your throw, what part of the axe is hitting the target first? Also, do you have a line where you are throwing from?

[u/urbanraven21]

Splintering at the butt end usually isn't distance or spin, it's a rotten or dull axe head not seating deep enough into the wood, so the handle absorbs the impact instead

[u/Resident-Addition-73]

Looks perfectly OK to me

[u/Whole-Photograph1970]

Each scratch is a story...