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The International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF)

(4.1) Standard Axe (Hatchet) Specifications

1. Standard Throwing Axe (Hatchet) Requirements:  see image 2.1 below

  1. The handle must be made from wood;
  2. The axe must be a single bit blade, ie: no blade or sharpened spike may be protruding from the back of the axe head.
  3. Handle Length:
    1. The length must be a minimum of 13” long and cannot exceed a maximum of 17” long:
      1. ​This measurement begins from the bottom (butt) of the handle to the top of the axe head. See Image 2.1 (2.1.2);
      2. If any of the handle protrudes from the top of the axe head (eye) it does not count towards the minimum or maximum handle length. See Image 2.1 (2.1.1).
  4. ​​Weight:
    1. The axe must weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds of total weight (handle included).
  5. ​Blade Length:
    1. The face (blade) of the axe must be no longer than 4″ and no shorter than 3” and must be fixed to the handle of the axe with an eye-wedge or a pin (ie: no ‘floating’ axe heads where the head itself is wedged on a tapering handle and only held there through gravity.)
    2. The axe head must have a minimum height of 1.5” as measured parallel to the handle.
    3. The axe head may have a maximum length (from face to butt) of 6.5”

Image 2.1:

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