Posted by1 year ago
The National Axe Throwing Federation (NATF) has detailed target construction specifications, though they neglect to list species for the targets. They do mention that the subframe is spruce or pine, followed by 3/4' plywood, and the target itself consists of three 2X10 boards 4' long. This knife and axe throwing target has been built by Holger Wycisk for the knife throwers competition in Herrischried, July 2010.The targets are tree rounds of white fir that had been cut 3 weeks before. The target holders were available in two flavours.
Archived
I was planning on using this pressure treated pinewood for it, but I don't know if the fact that it is pressure treated will mess with my knives.
From my understanding pressure treating just adds chemicals to the wood to stop it from weathering (decay, bugs, etc) but I don't know if that makes the wood harder in the process.
Alternatively, if anyone knows where I can find a better wood like cotton wood I'd be very grateful if you shared thank you! I've called up local lumber supplies and generally they only have hardwoods in 4x4s
4 comments
If you want to become proficient throwing an axe, you must practice regularly. However, throwing axes around your back yard is serious business; you must use a large, sturdy target to keep the activity safe. Additionally, it is important to use a suitable wood that allows your axe to penetrate the grain without unnecessarily dulling the blade.
Constructing the Target
- Lay the six wooden planks flat on the ground, with the sides of the planks touching.
- Drill six pilot holes in each 2-by-4 with the cordless drill – spread the holes evenly along the length of each 2-by-4. These pilot holes will make it easier to connect the 2-by-4s to the planks.
- Draw a line about 12-inches from each end of the planks, and draw a third line about 36 inches from either end of the planks. Place a 2-by-4 across each line, so that the bottom, middle and top of the target have support.
- Insert a screw into each pilot hole and drive them through the 2-by-4s and into the planks. Take the time to realign the planks after driving each screw, to ensure that no gaps are present between the planks.
Painting the Bulls-Eye
- Find the center of the board by drawing a line 36 inches from the top of the target and 36 inches from the side of the target. The two lines will meet at the center.
- Mark the string at 3-inch-intervals by using the measuring tape. Hold the end of the string on the center of the target, and hold the pencil at the first marking, with the string stretched between them. Keeping the string taught, trace the first circle. Move the pencil to the next mark on the string and repeat the process to produce the second circle. Repeat the process one final time by moving the pencil to the third mark and tracing the final, and largest, circle.
- Paint each ring a different color using the paints and paintbrush. Red is often used for the bulls-eye, but you can make the rings any color you desire. Apply at least two coats of paint to each ring. If you only have one color of paint, you can paint the first and third ring, while leaving the middle ring unpainted to produce enough contrast to be able to see the rings from a distance.
Items you will need
- 6 wooden planks, 12-inches wide, 72-inches long and 1-inch-thick
- 3 pine 2-by-4s
- Cordless drill
- Drill bits
- Pencil
- Measuring Tape
- Wood screws, 2 1/4-inches long
- String
- Paint
- Paintbrush
Tips
- Use softwood planks, rather than those made from hardwoods, which will not allow your axe to penetrate as easily. Pine and cedar planks work well, as do cottonwood planks, if you can find them.
- Place the target so that the grains of the planks are oriented vertically. This makes it easier for your axe to penetrate the wood
- You can rest the target against a tree or build a stand to hold it off the ground.
Warning
- If you rest your target against a tree, be sure to protect the tree against misses by placing additional planks or tree rings above, below and beside the target.