Agdor – The Hults Bruk Agdor 28 is likely the most popular axe used in IATF Big Axe competition
Ambidextrous – (Also “Ambi”) Skills competition where each competitor throws an axe in each hand at the same time
Around the World – Skills competition where each competitor throws an axe at each zone of the target in order
Axe – A tool typically thrown at a target comprised of a steel blade attached to a handle
Axe Gang – Model of hatchet made by Cold Steel, popularized because of its thin, flat profile and head weight within IATF specs
Axescores – Leaderboard website for IATF
BATL – Backyard Axe Throwing League, first urban axe throwing venue started in Toronto 2011 and currently has over 15 locations
Beard – Bottom of the axe head between the handle and heel
Big Axe – Full size axes (typically over 25 inches) used in IATF tiebreaks and a separate discipline in WATL
Bit – The sharp part of the axe head
Black Box – Starting line for IATF hatchet and foul line for big axe
Blue Line – Starting line for IATF big axe
Breaking Paint – (IATF) throws for clutch must break any paint. (WATL) throws must have paint visible on both sides to count.
Cheek – The flat side of the axe head
Clutch – Green circles in IATF measuring 2 ⅝”, 79” from the ground, worth 7 points when called on the fifth throw of the game
Dolly – WBL nickname for the corner bullseyes.
Doubles – Skills competition where two competitors on the same team throw at the same target at the same time
Estwing – Brand of axe with a single piece steel head and handle
Eye – hole in the axe head where the handle is attached
Fault – When a thrower crosses the foul line before they’re allowed and the throw is scored 0
Foul Line – (WBL) Youth line at 10′, adult hatchet at 12′, big axe at 15′ (IATF) line at 9’2” which cannot be crossed until both players have thrown. (WATL) line at 12’ which cannot be crossed until both axes are scored by a licensed WATL official judge.
Hatchet – A small axe, commonly used in competition measuring 13-18”
Head – The steel part of the axe
Heel – The bottom part of the bit
IATF – International Axe Throwing Federation, founded in 2016 to sanction axe throwing leagues
IKTHOF – International Knife Throwers Hall of Fame, founded in 2003 to sanction knife and tomahawk leagues
Killshot – Blue Circles in WATL measuring 1.5”, 71 ¼” from the ground, worth 8 points when called on the fifth and tenth throw of the game
Michigan Rules – Ideal hatchet format utilizing best of three matches, “break the paint” rules, and upper and lower bonuses
Philly-Out – Registering for a limited-field event with some of your friends, then withdrawing from the competition after plane ticket prices increase, guaranteeing that the field will not be filled.
Poll – (Also “Butt”) Back of the axe head
Shopro – The original house axe for indoor competition with a 1.5lb head and 14” handle
Skills Competition – (Also “Skillz”) tournaments thrown in a manner other than standard hatchet or big axe, typically containing ambidextrous, around the world, and several other formats
Toe – Top of the bit
Toe-in – term for altering the throw so that only the toe of the axe catches the target, allowing to stick more easily in hard boards
Tomahawk – A light axe, usually with the handle fixed to the head only by friction and no other means
Trail Boss – Once popular big axe in competition, has become illegal to throw due to currently being manufactured below minimum weight standards
UKAT – United Knife and Tomahawk, an online league for tomahawk, hatchet, double-bit axe, and knife throwing
WATL – World Axe Throwing League, founded in 2017 to sanction leagues, tournaments, and judges
WBL – World Blade League, established to create a sustainable, accessible, and exciting future for bladed sports.
Wedge – Piece of wood driven into the eye of the axe opposite to the handle to expand and hold the head in place
Who Sucks Less – Nickname for WATL overtime rule where if both opponents miss, the one who is closest to the killshot, wins
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