Axe-throwing has a long, mostly warlike tradition. Now non-violent, this totally original experience puts you in the shoes of a valiant Frankish warrior in battle, or an American settler having fun at a tournament!
The Franks, the first warriors to use the axe as a throwing weapon
The first axes were made over 1.5 million years ago. They were soon used as weapons of war, but it wasn't until the 5th century that the axe throwing developed as a warfare technique. It was the Frankish warriors (the elites, as the technique was not widespread among the rank and file) who first used the Francisque as a throwing weapon. Soldiers threw it from a distance of around ten to twelve meters. The axe's blade was heavy to produce a significant impact on the enemy. The weapon wasn't balanced like a javelin, so it didn't have a very regular trajectory, reducing range and accuracy. This required great dexterity. Soldiers had several axes at their disposal, requiring little armor to avoid being overloaded.
The Francisque, throwing axe
The francisque can be recognized by the characteristic S-shaped curvature of the top of the blade. The lower edge of the blade curves inwards and then forms a bend with the handle. Most francisques have a round or teardrop eye to accommodate a tapered handle. Francisque blades measure between eleven and twenty-two centimeters in length and weigh between 200 and 1,300 grams.
Forged from a single block, these axes were razor-sharp and inflicted serious damage. In particular, they could shatter a shield.
Invented by the Franks, the Francisque quickly spread to other European peoples: the Lombards, Goths, Burgundians and Teutons.
Axe throwing in the United States and Canada
The civilizations that emigrated to the United States imported their tools and traditions. Axes were first used as survival and construction tools. Later, once the frontiers were stable and their buildings completed, the settlers became farmers. They then competed in axe-throwing tournaments, a practice stemming from Celtic culture.
The Tomahawk as a battle axe
These small axes were originally made by Native Americans from wood and stone. The settlers then designed their own tomahawks, lighter and smaller, developing new techniques, notably through the use of steel.
Tomahawks were regularly used by American soldiers, from the American War of Independence (1775-1783) to the Battle of Little Bighorn (1876), better known to Americans as Custer's Last Stand.
The Cheyenne and Sioux, in a coalition led by Sitting Bull, defeated Lieutenant-Colonel George A. Custer's 7th Cavalry Regiment of the U.S. Army. Both sides made extensive use of Tomahawks. But, contrary to popular belief, Native Americans didn't throw their axes into battle. It was their preferred weapon for close combat.
Axes in modern warfare
Although the evolution of technology has made the use of axes obsolete, believe it or not, axes are still widely used in the military arsenal.
In 1966, former U.S. Marine and World War II veteran Peter LaGana founded the American Tomahawk Company and manufactured around 4,000 tomahawks between 1966 and 1970, mainly sold to U.S. forces in Vietnam. This model was very popular with soldiers for close combat in the jungle.
In 2000, Andy Prisco proposed that LaGana reopen the American Tomahawk Co and resume tomahawk production. Priscos marketed several models of antique tomahawks and several models of modern tomahawks with synthetic handles or made from a single piece of steel.
Today, many US Special Forces units regularly use the tomahawk in Iraq and Afghanistan. As well as being used in close combat, soldiers use them to dig trenches, break down doors, remove obstacles on the road or detonate landmines.
The axe and lumberjack's axes
The cognée - from which we derive our name - is a type of woodcutter's axe. There are various types of axe for lumberjacks: felling axes (for felling trees), pruning axes, splitting axes, merlins (for splitting logs) and hatchets.
The Cognée is a two-handed felling or splitting axe. Its long, fine cutting edge enables the woodcutter to strike deep into the trunk. Its large wooden handle, with its leverage effect, gives lumberjacks tenfold power.
Axe throwing at Les Cognées
It's an activity steeped in history, first as a warrior, then as a game. Come and join in this tradition and bring out the proud Canadian lumberjack at Les Cognées! Book your axe-throwing session at Les Cognées now!