Page 28 - Blade (January 2019)

AIR AXES |

hardness to avoid chipping from the
shock of impact. Therefore, choose your

cutting chores appropriately.
Lastly, the Fasthawk uses a synthetic

material for the haft. Unlike wood, syn-
thetics can store a lot of energy. On more
than one occasion a missed thrown axe
has made it all the way back to the start-
ing point just by hitting haft fi rst. Th e
reaction is almost like a spring-loaded
return. It does not happen oft en, though
be aware of the potential.
As far as bang for your buck, the Fast-
hawk is a good deal. If trekking or just
throwing it makes a good tool to have at
your side. Even better, it is a good looker.

FRENCH EGYPTIAN
Condor’s Francisca is very true to a
French design, which oddly enough is
somewhat reminiscent of Egyptian axes.

A long 18.6-inch haft coupled with an
arching goose-neck-like head gives it
distinctive lines. It is light and fast. Con-
dor provides a minimalist leather sheath
to cover the head and no carry attach-
ments, such as a belt loop, for instance.
The throwing-axe sheath systems range
from a large one heavy on design to the
minimalist edge-covering style.
3 SAFETY TIPS

f you’re throwing axes or knives for the
Ifi rst time and/or aren’t aware of the pur-
suit’s safety and learning-curve tips, there
are at least three you should know:
1) Stay alert, especially if you’re in a
group. It is not uncommon for a thrown axe
to bounce off in any direction, so everyone
around should have his or her eyes on the
tool being thrown.
2) Be sure of what is behind the target.
There is a viral video where a reporter at
an event is trying axe throwing. He misses
the target and ends up hitting a member
of a marching band. Thank goodness the
musician’s drum was all that was damaged.
Make sure everyone in the area is behind
the person throwing. If are practicing in your
backyard, throw toward your house and not
your neighbor’s fence.

3) Lastly, go slow. You won’t be throwing
with Hollywood ninja accuracy and speed
If you’re going to call a throwing axe the right off the bat. Take your time and build
Wasp you might as well put a wasp on the muscle memory needed. Speed will
it. As for the notch feature on the blade
spine, sorry, but no, it doesn’t work as a come with practice, and more practice.
bottle opener. —by Abe Elias

28 BLADE JANUARY 2019