Following feedback from the community, we very recently committed to enhancing and clarifying the language and the imagery for rulesets 4.1 - Axe Specifications. We are pleased to now share these enhancements.

While these rules have not gone through any additional changes, the layout, formatting, and accompanying images have been re-designed to provide more clarity on what is and what is not a legal competition throwing axe. Hatchet and Big Axe specifications have also been combined into one page of the rulebook.

These axe specifications are designed to be comprehensive and to provide everybody with the confidence to customize to best suit their needs while maintaining the integrity and entertainment value of this sport. We strongly encourage all throwers, modifiers, and manufacturers to read this newly presented document from top to bottom in order to understand the rules in their entirety.

We here at the IATF are not looking to stifle creativity, nor prescribe that you must throw ours and only our axes for competition. However, we do need to ensure that axes are fair for unified competition and the entertainment value and integrity of the sport.

We are always thankful for the direct engagement of the axe-throwing community and appreciate and encourage all your feedback on these and other rules. Should you still have any questions or feedback, you can send them directly to info@iatf.com.

A REMINDER THAT:

HATCHET DIMENSIONS THAT HAVE NOT CHANGED:

• weight (1.5-2.5 lbs, total weight head and handle together)
• handle length (13"-17", from knob to eye)
• head length (5"- 7", entire length of the head from blade to butt)
• blade length (3"- 4", entire length of the blade from toe to heel)
• minimum head height (1.5", measured vertically, parallel to the handle)

HATCHET DIMENSIONS ADDED:

• maximum head height (4", measured vertically, parallel to the handle)

BIG AXE DIMENSIONS THAT HAVE NOT CHANGED:

• weight (2.75-3.75 lbs, total weight head and handle together)
• minimum handle length (25", from knob to eye)
• head length (6"-7.5", entire length of the head from blade to butt)
• blade length (3.5" - 4 5/8", entire length of the blade from toe to heel)
• minimum head height (2", measured vertically, parallel to the handle)

BIG AXE DIMENSIONS ADDED:

• maximum handle length (32”, from knob to eye)
• maximum head height (4 5/8", measured vertically, parallel to the handle)

We have also included clarity around what “Grossly Modified” means throughout the document.

IATF RULEBOOK CHANGES

Please click the following link to view the enhanced Rule 4.1 Axe Specifications and remember to read and understand these in their entirety. If you have any questions or require more clarity, please reach out directly via email to info@iatf.com.

We wish you all the best in your ongoing competitions!