I first saw axe-throwing as a mobile, trailer-based novelty at a local fair. Then, these axe-throwing pop-ups started showing up at outdoor events and breweries. Now they are in many suburban downtowns as a popular night-out hotspot.

Can it be that we have gone “axe-crazy”?

My interest in axe-wielding first arose in 1993 when I saw the hit film “So I Married an Axe Murderer,” starring a young Mike Meyers.

PS: This film gave birth to Dr. Evil, Fat Bastard, and several of Meyers’ famed “Austin Powers” characters. Phil Hartman was my personal favorite character in the film, as his character “Vicky” gives a tour of San Francisco’s famed Alcatraz prison. See the clip below. RIP Phil Hartman

This post is not about iconic 90’s rom-coms that show the best bits of San Francisco.

It’s about axe-throwing!

The website axegames.com claims that, though loggers and lumberjacks have been around since the early 1800s, axe throwing as a sport can be traced back to the Loggersports of the 1940s. Loggersports and lumberjack shows grew out of competitions in lumber camps to see who the best lumberjack was, and today these competitions are used more to acknowledge and keep the history and traditions alive.

The lumberjacks were clearly on to something, as their past-time sport had grown into quite a popular hobby.

Since the early 20-teens (2010 and beyond), the sport has gained popularity in North America. Present-day, half-assed bloggers like myself are now posting about their experiences and why you, the reader, should consider giving it a try!

One can find the official rules at World Axe Throwing League.com.

The official 2024 axe-throwing target per the World Axe Throwing League (WATL)

You can either do a single-handed throw (pictured below) or a two-handed “over the head” style throw to hurl your axe at the target. I found the single-handed technique to be the most natural for me. The one time I attempted the “over the head,” I completely missed the target high. You can see exactly where my off-kilter shot missed!

Here I am lining up a shot at The Smart Axe, in Roseville, CA. This was a fun night with my Dad and brother, drinking beers and throwing axes. Sounds safe, right?

Our session at SmartAxe lasted 75 minutes, and it was a lot of fun. We laughed, smack-talked, and the competition became heated. My brother, who started relatively inept, ended up hitting his stride and smoked my Dad and me at the end.

Will I continue to go axe-throwing?

Yes, I would go back. Axe throwing was fun, especially as a first-timer. I’d like to try different types of games and scoring as I think it would make the event more interesting. Our evening became less exciting as the novelty wore off, but the added challenge of new games would spice up the competition and keep the experience fresh.

What’s the ideal group setting for axe-throwing?

Team building events, Gals/Guys night out, bachelor/bachelorette parties, family game night with older kids, and date nights. You can learn a lot about a date based on how they wield an axe. Every bay we walked past had mixed groups of people laughing and enjoying the evening.

Make sure that you have a healthy shoulder before you go axe-throwing. Be sure to consult your physician to ensure that you are physically capable of the rigorous demands placed on an individual while throwing an axe, drinking IPAs, and taking frequent pee breaks due to the IPAs.

Is axe-throwing here to stay?

Time will tell on this one. There certainly is a novelty surrounding axe-throwing. I just question how many repeat, and regular customers will frequent the axe-throwing hotspots enough to make them viable business options.

We’ve taken a lot from lumberjacks that have stood the test of time. Flapjacks and flannel aren’t going anywhere soon, so why should axe-throwing be any different?

Give axe-throwing a try! You gotta axe yourself: what have I got to lose?

https://axegames.com/history/#:~:text=Though%20loggers%20and%20lumberjacks%20had,the%20Loggersports%20of%20the%201940s.

https://worldaxethrowingleague.com/axe-throwing-rules/#:~:text=The%204%20outer%20bullseyes%20and,each%20of%20the%205%20rings.

https://www.thesmartaxe.com/

Axing Crazy!