Cold Steel Competition Throwing Hatchet, 16"

Good balance, throws well

Solid axe. Nice weight. Works well for throwing in the garden. Why put a nasty sticker on the wooden handle that's hard to remove.

So this axe is really good quality and I am using it as my clutch axe. The weight is top heavy but has a good balance and doesn't require much force to get it in the wood. I did cut the handle as for me I found it too long ( I am 5'6") The width of the handle is perfect and has a nice finish. The blade was easy to sharpen. It came with a rubber covering, I wish it came with a more sturdy cover for the blade. But overall satisfied with my purchase. Side note: it doesn't come with the sticker. I put it on there to find my axe easy in a line up.

The handle broke on the third throw on the first day.

This axe is a pretty sturdy axe that throws nicely. Upon some intensive testing, we did find that the handle may be starting to crack but that is after deliberate and repeated attempts to throw it incorrectly to find out how durable it really is. Overall very happy with this axe for beginner throwers and we even ordered more.

Cold steel axes, (either the Axe Gang or the new competition model) are great for throwers who do not over rotate when they throw. Any Axe handle can break but I have been throwing mine almost daily at home and at Urban Axes without issue since I got it. In fact, I have thrown a Cold steel Axe throughout this past NATF league season 3 (Tuesday and Wednesday nights) and have had no problems. About half of the 24 players in past 2 sessions use the Cold Steel axes and no one has had any issues either. In total I have 5 of these axes of varying handle lengths 13 1/4" - 17" each one has performed well. There are 3 rule to axe throwing, 1. Don't be stupid 2. Drink More. 3. Just throw better.

This axe has completely transformed my game! It is plenty sturdy enough for the way I throw, but if you are one of those throwers that really whips it, I could see this handle possibly breaking on a mis-hit. That’s probably why some of the reviews say that it is too flimsy, if you are a softer ‘flick’ type thrower you’ll be fine. Needs to be shortened, but not everybody likes the same length, so there is plenty of extra to work with until you find the right size for you.