What is the best target wood for Axe Throwing

[esteadle]

Hi,

Axe Throwing seems like an up-and-coming hipster thing. I'm trying to figure out how to profit.  ;D

They will need to replace the wooden targets that they throw into at some point. If I were to get into this business, and supply lumber for making targets, what would be the best material do you think?

To save the Axes, something softer. With lower mineral content, and non-reactive. So not black locust or oak.

In the softwood category, pine, hemlock, evergreens have sap, that I figure would stick to the axes.

To be durable, so they don't have to change the targets too often, maybe a softer hardwood?
Basswood? Beech? Alder? Poplar (but does that have minerals?)

And next question... dimensions,
Thickness - probably pretty stout thickness. 6/4 or 8/4? Or maybe 10/4? or 12/4?
Width - as wide as possible probably. Joints may make for misses. Axes stuck in seams? Shattering a joint?
Length - as needed, I guess.

Very interested in what everyone thinks...

[Kbeitz]

A potted tree would be the best... The wounds would eventually grow shut again.

[WV Sawmiller]

   Just talking out my ___ since I know nothing about ax throwing but I'd think soft wood like basswood or buckeye. I'd think minimum 8/4 and 10/4 to 12/4 looks like it would be better.

   I've you are going to use beech I want to stay far away and that was the hardest wood I encountered to stick an ax in from my experience trying to split some for firewood a few years ago. I'd really worry about ricochets with beech.

    Good luck.

   

[clearcut]

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.

    http://www.nationalaxe.com/

Specs are at:

     http://www.nationalaxe.com/league-administration.html

[YellowHammer]

Esteadle,
That's interesting, I've been seeing some of the same thing, except they have been requests for knife and Ninja star targets.  Not many, but a few. 

[Chuck White]

It seems to me that BASSWOOD would make a good target for a throwing axe!

[drobertson]

I was thinking a big thick sweet gum cookie,

[Engineer]

I'm thinking that the hipsters should use each other for targets.

[WV Sawmiller]

I'm thinking that the hipsters should use each other for targets.

:D :D

   I can think of lots of other groups I could add but I digress.

[coalsmok]

I have always seen a big firewood round used at the black powers shoots and reenactments. Oak or whatever was handy.

[TKehl]

Doughty oak or elm that is slightly damp.  When I try to split it for firewood, it just buries the maul.  I have a hard time retrieving and it seems to have no impact whatsoever on the stick even after repeated thwacks.   ;D 

Would probably suck an axe in halfway up the handle.   :D

[Tam-i-am]

Alissa from the Axewomen uses pine or poplar.  It must be clear, no knots.

[Tam-i-am]

esteadle  axe throwing bars are turning up all over so someone has to source these things.  I can't imagine mixing axes and alcohol ;D

https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2017/06/26/drinking-and-throwing-mix-boston-might-soon-find-out/mlKiF9qIFSHbQHz34nAGLP/story.html

I love Engineer's idea for targets!

[tomsteve]

my neighbor gets  a lot of wood from the city. used to cut and sell firewood. an older gentleman stopped by about 2 months ago lookin for targets. showed us his throwing axes and talked about different competitions he goes to.
he was lookin for cottonwood, so neighbors been gettin into the cottonwood cookie cuttin business a bit.

[dnalley]

What is a "hipster"?  Just wondering why anybody would want them throwing axes at each other.

[logboy]

I'm a many time world champion lumberjack in the water events and have 30 years experience in the sport. We always throw at a huge cookie of white pine that has a chain and binder around it to prevent it from breaking apart over time. Going from memory they were always at least 6" thick, but many were thicker (a foot thick wasn't uncommon). The center is mounted 5' from the ground. You throw from 20' away. The bullseye is 5 points, the next ring 4, etc.

[Peter Drouin]

I have made them for customers before, Allways W Pine cut 6" thick x3' cookie. They want end grain to hit.

[Percy]

I think the best wood for this application would be a nice fat round cookie.......with a pic of your mother-in-law attached.....

[Wudman]

In college competition we used a yellow poplar round about 3 feet long.  It sat in an X-brace frame.  You threw at the end grain. 

Wudman

[RPowers]

Black Gum, soft enough and you cant split it.