Throwing a hatchet into a tree. Overhand or underhand?

[Phlosphr]

In my blissful summer boredom I have taken a keen interest in throwing my new Hatchet (http://www.ndsproducts.com/Al-70.jpg) at an old stump behind our barn. I've only made it stick once. It seems to lose trajectory and flop on it's side. Luckily I am 20 feet away and it can't bounce back and hit me, however, it does incite a yell from my wife..."Hey, your gonna hit yourself...STOP THAT!!" :)

Anyway...what am I doing wrong? Should I throw it side arm? Overhand? I have been throwing it over hand with mixed results?

Maybe this should be in MPSIMS?

[BrotherCadfael]

Just draw the life-size outline of a man on the target, and your axe will hit him in the crotch and stick.


It worked for Ed Ames...

[Big Tom]

Is your particular hatchet designed to be thrown? My son has specific hatchets for throwing, that pretty much stick everytime - provided he throws with the same velocity, at the same distance. I'm guessing one that is weighted to be thrown would be almost a necessity. BTW, he always throws overhand.

[Chairman Pow]

No axe-throwing expert here, but I've always seen it done overhand. I presume that where you hold it makes a big difference (like when throwing a knife, I've always been told to hold the blade).

Here's a link (http://student.plattsburgh.edu/wils1538/jpg/hatchet.html) with some photos that probably isn't too helpful.

And something with more information (http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/beard/throw_tomahawk.htm) than you'd ever want to know.

Good luck, I was never any good at this.

[Cluricaun]

Indeed, a normal work oriented hatchet makes a poor throwing weapon. Try something like here (http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/united/taxe.html) for one a little more sure fire.

[Demo]

Overhand: How to throw a tomahawk. (http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/beard/throw_tomahawk.htm)

[BMalion]

buy this (http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/united/taxe.html) .

or one of these (http://www.quine.home.sonic.net/africa.html), the Hunga-Munga (not the blonde).