What You Didn’t Know You Wanted to Know About Flooring
A dropped axe hitting a hard surface is not going to do it much good. Here are the main options for flooring under your axe throwing target.
So, let’s talk flooring. Not the sexiest of axe throwing subjects, but I want to cover all kinds of Cutting Edge topics. I’m not concerned about flooring generally (this isn’t an interior design piece). I’m talking about what goes under the target to cushion your prize axe when it drops (not that it happens often of course 😉 ).
Do you really need anything under the target? If you’re outside, then grass is is always an easy option, but, otherwise, a dropped axe hitting a hard surface is not going to do it much good. An axe bouncing around is also likely to be dangerous to your health (and others!).
No matter how good a thrower you are, everyone drops an axe sometimes, so what flooring options are there for under the target?
Rubber Matting
Rubber mats are commonly used. They won’t cut up too much when hit with a sharp edge as long as they are a good quality rubber. Horse mats, ie those usually used in stables, are ideal because they are very durable. They are made for horses hooves, so the odd axe landing is not a problem. They don’t last forever though and will need replacing when the gouges become too much.
As the mats are flat on the floor, it is easy to sweep up target splinters that fall on them. They are also accessible for people with mobility issues to retrieve their axes with ease, including wheelchair users.
The main issue with rubber mats is that, the better they cushion the dropped axe the more they increase the bounce of the axe. A thinner mat may be less springy, but won’t offer much protection for your axe. Most of the time a thicker mat won’t be an issue, but that’s no consolation if a freak throw catches the mat wrong and sends it flying through the air towards the thrower!
Pros
- Durable, long lasting
- Easy to clean
- Accessible to all
Cons
- Axes can bounce
Wooden Sheets
Putting wood flooring underneath the target, eg a sheet of chipboard, has similar benefits to rubber matting. The impact on the axe is less compared to a solid floor, eg concrete, and protects the existing subfloor. It is flat, so easy to sweep up and for people with mobility issues.
Wooden floors are not as springy as rubber mats, so the risk of axes bouncing is reduced (if not eliminated entirely).
However, wooden floors will get chewed up by axe drops and generally need to be replaced more often than rubber mats.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Accessible to all
- Less bounce than rubber
Cons
- Needs replacing regularly
Wood Chippings/Sawdust
If you want to go with that rustic barn look, then sawdust is a great flooring option. Very fine sawdust isn’t as easy to work with and you need a lot to stop an axe, but coarser wood chippings or mulch are ideal. As well as looking the part, chippings take the impact of a dropped axe well, with very little bounce.
Wood chippings are also good for absorbing the splinters from the target, so you can reduce your sweeping up chores. That said, the chippings do start to look a bit rough after a while, particularly if they are constantly soaked from wetting the targets. New chippings can be thrown on top, but it’s obviously better to swap them out for fresh chippings.
Sawdust can also be an issue for asthma sufferers, particularly in a small enclosed space. The uneven surface is also more difficult for people with mobility issues.
Pros
- Absorbs axe drop with no bounce
- Target chippings blend in
- Suits a rustic aesthetic
Cons
- Needs to be refreshed regularly
- Can affect asthma sufferers
- Uneven surface
Rubber Chippings
Rubber chippings absorb falling objects exceptionally well (which is why they are so common in kid’s playgrounds and the like). Unlike rubber matting, the axe buries into the chippings rather than bounces, but the rubber still reduces the impact on the axe.
Rubber chippings are often made from chopping up old vehicle tyres, so they are good for the environment. They can be dyed different colours, so you can get the colour to suit your particular look. They are very durable and essentially never need changing.
There are a few downsides though. Like wood chippings, they are no good for people with mobility issues wanting to retrieve their axe from the target. Also, splinters chipped off the target can’t be simply swept up (although they are easily seen and can be picked up by hand).
Rubber chippings can also be expensive initially. About twice the cost of wood chippings. However, the cost over time is much better as they never need replacing/refreshing.
Pros
- Long lasting, durable
- Absorbs axe drop with no bounce
- Variety of colours
Cons
- Uneven/less accessible surface
- Target splinters are harder to clean up
