You have reached your limit of 3 free stories. A story preview is shown instead.
To view more stories
(If your subscription is current,
click here to Login or Register.)
Barn Is Perfect Venue For Axe Throwing
When Jeremy Andrews and a few friends started throwing axes for fun in 2015, they had no idea it would lead to an official league, and throwers getting “nerdy” about axe types and learning heritage skills like forging, handle-making and precision axe sharpening.
Andrews set up targets against a barn o
..........
You must sign in, subscribe or renew to see the page.
You must sign in, subscribe or renew to see the flip-book
Barn Is Perfect Venue For Axe Throwing FARM HOME Miscellaneous When Jeremy Andrews and a few friends started throwing axes for fun in 2015 they had no idea it would lead to an official league and throwers getting “nerdy” about axe types and learning heritage skills like forging handle-making and precision axe sharpening
Andrews set up targets against a barn on his 10-acre property on the outskirts of Battle Creek Mich Appropriately the league is called BTL AXE named after the call letters for a former private airport in Battle Creek
“It’s an old barn that needs to be sided anyway ” Andrews says of the facility the league currently uses - on the outside in nice weather and on the inside during the winter
The league got started when Andrews gave his 12 groomsmen axes for gifts and threw a post wedding axe-throwing party in 2015 With encouragement from his wife Erin they joined the WATL World Axe Throwing League In the fall 22 members met once a week for 8 weeks and Andrews expects 44 members for the winter league
“It’s like bowling for the 21st century I think people flock to the new and unusual so I don’t know if it will be huge 10 years from now but I think it will grow ” he says
Axe throwing is an inexpensive sport to get into with hatchets costing as little as $8 Membership fees run $160 for 8 weeks with 40 throws each week The fee helps cover the costs of the targets made of 2 by 10 SPF wood Though targets are soaked with water to make them last longer the center target is usually replaced at least once each week Andrews also put in fencing between the throwing lanes Two throwers share the 12-ft wide spaces and simultaneously throw at targets 12 ft away
Points are given for hitting the 4-in bullseye 6 or rings 4 3 2 and 1 On the 10th throw of the 4 rounds throwers can opt to aim at a blue ball on the outer edge for 10 points
Axe styles vary to suit each thrower but must meet weight and length regulations set by WATL The league follows the organization’s safety requirements and adds on some of its own
“Safety is No 1 ” Andrews says and from the beginning he set up rules that include his right to remove throwers he deems unsafe
It has become so addictive for some that a couple members now forge their own axe heads and another makes handles using wood from trees on Andrews’ property
Already Andrews has booked bachelorette and birthday parties and hosted corporate axe-throwing events With a trailer and portable gates he will make axe throwing mobile taking it wherever customers are interested
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Jeremy Andrews BTL AXE 251 Waubascon Rd Battle Creek Mich 49037 ph 269 832-0777; www btlaxe com; gobtlaxe@gmail com
To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click
here to register with your account number.
