At first I built various side grain targets out of4'x4' and 4'x6' lumber which wore out pretty quickly. Now I have come up with an 'end-grain' target thatworks really well, especially if I spray it with ahose each time before I use it, as suggested in The Great Throwzini's 101 knife throwing tips. I use 6'x6' posts cut to 5 1/2' lengths which areheld, pressure fit only, within a frame of 2'x6'pressure treated lumber. The side pieces, (legs), are 5'6' long. I arrangethe 6'x6' 'end-grain' blocks between the legs,leaving space for a 2'x6' cross piece at the top,and press them together with strong pipe clamps onthe outside of the legs. I cut top and bottom cross pieces out of the 2'x6'lumber just slightly shorter than the space betweenthe side pieces and place them between the legs. Next, I cinch the whole assembly up tight with sideto side and top to bottom clamps, then I drill guideholes and draw everything up tight with 2 - 3/8'x4'hex head screws and washers through the legs and intoeach end of the cross pieces. I also counter-sink the screw heads so they do notstick out where the knife could hit them. Finally, I screw a backing made of plywood or scrap1' x whatever lumber on the back of the target so theindividual end-grain blocks don't get forced out theback by heavy knife hits. I use the targets by leaning them against a tree,but I could also attach 6'6' angle pieces at the topof each side to make them free-standing. One target I made is a single target made up of 15end-grain blocks arranged three across and five down. The other is a double target with 18 blocks in twothree by three sets separated by a middle cross pieceof 2'x6' lumber. The middle cross piece puts the target centers alittle further apart and makes it safer to throw twoknives at a time without having them hit each other. The extra cross piece also helps to keep all theblocks tightly in place, since the top to bottom spanis 6' longer on the double target. Perhaps other people have figured out this samedesign. It provides a really nice end grain-targetfor a total cost of about $30 each. After I saw a video of the movie 'Still Breathing'I bought a set of Mini-Blazing Arrows and made anindoor target out of plain 2'x4' lumber, with15 - 6'x6' end-grain blocks cut only 3 1/4' thick. It costs even less and also works great! Steve Marion It's free, and there's no obligation. | Want to improve your accuracy? CLICK HERE FREE STUFF CLICK HERE for FREE 101 Knife Throwing Tips Info-Pak Want hundreds of great knife throwing tips, ideas, articles and interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport of knife throwing? Get our FREE, twice-a-month Great Throwzini Online Newsletter. Just click below and send. CLICK HERE for FREE Online Newsletter or send e-mail to: bigfishtips@gmail.com with SUBSCRIBE in the Subject Line. I respect your privacy and will never share or sell your e-mail address to anyone. |
DIY Axe Throwing Target. Follow along and make your own target quickly in a few simple steps. Cut the other 2x4s with a 45º angle on one end. Step 7: Cut the remaining 2x4s at the point where it is at the center of the 2×6. Attach so that they create a triangle. By using wet wood it we help our axes fit in the grain of the wood easier. One target I made is a single target made up of 15 end-grain blocks arranged three across and five down. The other is a double target with 18 blocks in two three. Digital PDF Plans This is an easy to follow set of plans on how to build an end grain throwing knife target. Included in these plans: Materials List Cut List Step by step directions and dimensions To support the building process I have a video tutorial HERE. The target should be 63 inches (5′3 ″) from the ground. Use a drill or nail to attach the target to a tree or other base (this requires more work, but some launchers can fix the target). Be sure to drop it in a safe place. Your neighbors don’t want your ax to take their grandmother’s hat off! End Grain Can't Take Axe Hits With hundreds of hours of experimentation, we designed a proprietory system for making end grain axe targets that makes them sturdy enough to take axe hits, yet in a matter of minutes they can be disassembled and you can replace.
Want to work on your axe throwing skills from home? Why not make your own backyard target to practice! Check out this video where Greg from Revolution Axe in Boston, MA will show you how to make your own axe throwing target from a single 2x10 inch board and a few household supplies.
1. Choosing The Wood You Will Use
We work with pine, but you can use any soft wood, including spruce. It’s really important to look for boards that don’t have too many knots, especially in the center - you don’t want axes bouncing off your bullseye. Also, keep an eye out for darker or heavier pieces of wood that might be denser and harder to stick with your axe. The board should be a 2x10 inch board, 4 feet in length. (Usually sold in lengths of 8 feet or longer).
2. Gathering The Other Supplies You’ll Need
You only need a few more supplies to make your axe throwing target:
Paint markers or Sharpies - We use paint markers with 15 millimeter tips in red, blue, black, and green, but at home you can use permanent markers.
Drill and one screw
Piece of string at least 15 inches in length
Soda or beer can
Diy End Grain Axe Throwing Target For Sale
3. Find the center of the board
Using a tape measure, measure out 2 feet from the length of the board from top to bottom (the height). Next find the center from left to right (the width), which should be about just over 4.5 inches in. Place your screw in the center, and screw it in so it sticks out but doesn’t move, about an inch or so in.
4. Preparing Your String
Your piece of string is the guide to placing your bullseye and rings in the correct space from the screw on your target. An axe throwing board has one bullseye and 2 larger rings around it. The diameters and radii for the rings are as follows:
Bullseye: 7 inches in diameter, 3.5 inch radius
Diy End Grain Axe Throwing Targets
First ring (red): 17 inches in diameter, 8.5 inch radius
Second ring (blue): 27 inches in diameter, 13.5 inch radius
We will use the radius lengths as a guide. Tie a small loop at the top of your string and stretch the length of the string (including the loop) along a ruler. Mark out on your string where 3.5 inches is for the bullseye, 8.5 inches is for the red ring, and 13.5 inches is for the blue ring, all from the end of the loop.
5. Drawing the bullseye and rings
Put your loop of string around the screw. Using your 3.5 inch mark as a guide on your string, hold the sharpie next to your string and “swing” your marker and string around the screw (check out the video for a visual on this!) This will create a full circle for your bullseye. Since we are using only one plank, this will be the only full circle. Repeat this step for the red ring at the 8.5 inch mark on your string, which will end up looking like two curved lines around your bullseye. You can repeat that for the blue ring (13.5 inch radius) after that. Note that in the video, we only made one ring around the bullseye.
6. Drawing the clutch
The clutch can be drawn using the base of a soda or beer can. Place the bottom of the can 15 inches above the center of the bullseye and just over 4.5 inches from the side. Trace around the bottom of the can to form your circle, and fill it in with green color if you wish! Be sure to use the outer diameter of the can, unless you want to go expert mode on your clutches, of course. (Pro-tip: you can draw multiple clutches on your board to help it last longer!)
7. Placing your target
The bullseye should be 63 inches (5’3’’) off the ground. Use a drill or nails to affix your target to a tree or other base (it’s a bit more work, but some throwers make a stand for their target). Please, make sure you’re throwing in a safe area. You neighbors don’t want your axe to knock the hat off their granny!
We hope you enjoyed this tutorial and we would love to see your homemade targets! Send us a picture of your creation using Instagram @revolutionaxe. If you’d like to learn more about the dimensions for real axe throwing boards or brush up on the official rules, check out the IATF rules and guidelines.