How to Make an Axe Throwing Target
Considerably larger than the varieties of throwing knives and shuriken used by most martial artists, the throwing ax is best learned through hands-on experience. By crafting your own practice target for daily use, you can allow yourself the time to develop your skill while experimenting with style and technique.
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Things You'll Need
- 10-inch bolt with matching nut and washer
- 2 10-inch stakes
- 8-inch-to-10-inch cross-sectioned tree trunk
- 2 6-foot post beams with edged driving angles
- 3-foot plank (2 by 8)
- Hammer
- Drill gun with ½-inch pilot head
- Rope or hemp cord
- Throwing ax
Instructions
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1
Survey the area where you plan to build your target. Ensure that the ground is level in a 3-by-3-foot radius for driving the post beams. Walk a distance of 10 steps out from the target area to ensure you will have proper space for throwing, and mark the distance.
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2
Hammer your first 6-foot post beam in your target space, making sure to position the point of the post at a 45-degree angle into the ground. Hammer the post two feet into the ground or until sturdy.
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3
Measure 3 feet to one side and place the second 6-foot post in a cross-wise pattern with the first. Place the second post directly behind the first and hammer it at a similar 45-degree angle until the two posts are perfectly symmetrical in height. If this has been done correctly, your two posts will now resemble an X-shape.
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4
Drill a pilot hole approximately ½-inch width directly where the two post beams intersect. You will now have a hole drilled through both post beams directly in the center of your X shape. Insert one 10-inch bolt into the hole and fasten the opposite side with a matching nut and washer and tighten the nut with a wrench until both post beams are tightly attached together.
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5
Hammer two 10-inch stakes into the two "arms" of your X-shaped posts at a height of 4 feet from the ground. Drive each stake until reaching a 2-inch depth into the wood, or until sturdy. Place the 3-foot plank of cut 2-by-8 lumber on top of the stakes and position it so that it balances toward the center.
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6
Rest your trunk on top of the plank. Further secure the trunk with cord by wrapping the edges of the trunk with the rope until it is securely bound to the post beams. Test the sturdiness of your target by applying gentle force from the front and sides. Done correctly, your target will now be a steadfast and consistently reliable for taking ax blows.
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7
Stand in front of your target's "face" and walk ten paces out. Mark this place in the ground with a straight line: this will be your beginning practice distance. Test throw your ax from this distance, gradually increasing the steps between you and your target until you can successfully throw from twenty-five or more paces.
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Tips & Warnings
There are a number of practice targets available for purchase on the Internet, or for home construction. These generally only last a number of days or a week until they are shredded beyond use. This method offers a traditional Celtic method for constructing a throwing target that will last for years.
