Axe throwing has quickly become a popular modern-day sport, but axes are nothing new. In fact, they remain one of the oldest tools known to man – dating back as far as the stone ages.
It’s easy to see why axes remain so popular to this day. After all, they have served so many different purposes over the years including battle, cutting wood, and sport.
Axes were traditionally made without a handle and included a chipped cutting edge made of flint or stone. The original axes were used 1.5 million years ago. It didn’t take long before the axe was used as a weapon. Around 400 to 500 AD, thrown axes were used.
The Most Famous Throwing Axe
The Francisca axe is easily one of the most famous types of throwing axes. Originally used in the early Middle Ages as a weapon, it is commonly linked with the Franks who used it as their national weapon. Although, many other Germanic Tribes also used the Francisca axe during this same time period.
The Francisca might be famous, but it wasn’t easy to control. In fact, it tended to have a random trajectory that made it hard to predict where it was going after it left your hand – even if you had great aim.
Superstitions Surrounding the Axe
Throughout history, there have been many superstitions surrounding axes. For instance, according to folklore, stone axes were believed to be associated with thunderbolts and were used to guard buildings against lightning. In addition, steel axes were said to keep away hailstorms when thrown. It wasn’t uncommon to see an axe placed amongst a farmer’s crops to keep away bad weather. Some historians say that an upright axe buried under a home could ward off witches, while burying an axe beneath your bed could help produce male offspring.
Were Axes Really Used in Battle?
There are some differences in opinion when it comes to the use of axes for battle. According to some historians, thrown axes were not used in battles. Instead, they believe that they were used to hunt food. It makes sense considering throwing an axe would leave you without a weapon the moment it left your hand.
Other historians believe that the axe was used as a precursor to hand-to-hand combat, offering a psychological edge to the war effort.
By the late Middle Ages, throwing axes made of iron were commonly used by foot soldiers as well as knights.
Axes in The Americas
The Europeans are responsible for bringing axes into the New World, where they were introduced to the Native Americans as tomahawks. As legend has it, some of the first axe throwing competitions took place amongst the frontiersmen in North America.
Modern Day Axes
Modern axes are made from several different materials including steel heads and wooden handles, often hickory is used in the US and ash is used in Europe and Asia. It is common to see plastic and fiberglass handles as well.
The size and shape of an axe depends on its intended use. Hafted axes have short handles and are intended to be used one-handed, which is why they are often called hand axes. Although, the term hand axe can also refer to an axe without a handle. Hatchets are typically small hafted axes that include a hammer on the back side or the poll.
To this day, axe throwing remains a popular sport played competitively and for fun. Over the last 20 years it has grown even more in popularity, becoming a popular urban sport for people from all walks of life in the USA, Canada, the UK, France, Australia and Thailand.
We welcome you to come try your hand at axe throwing at Mazewood Axe Throwing in Niagara Falls. Perhaps the talents of your ancestors are still embedded in your bones!