Sounds barbaric doesn't it? But its intensely thrilling and satisfying too. There's nothing quite like throwing an axe through the air and hear an echoing thud as it sticks in a distant target. It's very relaxing, fun, and almost anyone can do it. 'Almost' because your neighbour's children should probably not be throwing axes just yet. So how do you get started? Pick the right axe from the available arsenal of tomahawks and throwing axes specially designed for the sport with suitable weight and blade for this sporting activity.

The Target Stop For this one you'll need something wooden for the axe to stick into. Preferably, go for dead wood. You want something that won't be harmed by what you’re going to do to it. Do not throw your axe at targets that it won't stick to. It can wear down the axe's head, damage the axe, and it's dangerous. It's simply a bad idea. And so is throwing the axe to a live tree. First, it will damage the tree. Secondly, the tree is a rounded target. An axe thrown at it can glance and bounce very unpredictably. In fact, don't throw your axe at any rounded targets. Throwing Techniques Throwing an axe is easy. In fact, it's easier to hit a target with an axe than with a knife. This is because the heavy blade does most of the work. The head's momentum will propel it through the air. Keep this in mind when you make your throw. As such, most of the motion in your arm should be in the elbow. Release the axe when your arm is straight and aimed at the target.

Start with small distance throws-like 5 yards. Gradually increase the distance. Don't get frustrated when you miss the target a couple of times. Like everything else, perfect aim takes practice. Otherwise people would be throwing axes everywhere. Keep that Blade Dull Yes, you read that right. Why, you ask? First, the axes don't stick into their wood targets because they're sharp and can split trees. They stick because they have been thrown correctly. Now, why you have to keep the blade dull: to reduce risk of injury. Accidents happen and you should go out of your way to minimize injuries. Besides, it’s highly unlikely that you'll use the axes for anything else but for fun.

Stay safe. Axe throwing is sure to give you that primal adrenaline rush. It's a great activity to do with friends and colleagues, whether in your backyard or out in the fields. Make an axe throwing competition to make it more enjoyable. However, make sure you choose a safe location for the activity.