Originally published May 23, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
To mark the release of King Arthur, Neil Calloway threw some axes…
When you think of King Arthur, you don’t immediately think of axe throwing, but the fact is that sword fighting is difficult and trying to retrieve a sword from a stone is, frankly, boring.
Whistle Punks offer “Urban Axe Throwing” – the closest, safest thing you’ll want to get to sword fighting and the best way to let off steam after a hard day at work, or the perfect way to round off a trip to see King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
Of course, you don’t just turn up and start throwing axes – the instructors make you sign a waiver saying you’ll listen to what they say, and you’re not under the influence of drink and drugs. Quite why you’d want to do this while under the influence – it’s hard enough sober – I don’t know. It’s worth saying “don’t try this at home”, but frankly if you’ve got a load of axes and a plywood target lying around, I’m not sure you’d heed my warning.
When you’re being instructed you do wonder how exactly the guy telling you what to do learned their craft; is there an Association of Axe Throwers they have to gain accreditation with? Do they have to go off and study in the wilds of Canada before they can teach another man how to throw an axe?
It’s tremendous fun; you get taught two different throws while you’re there. First they teach you how to do it one handed, which frankly I was rubbish at, veering far too left and failing to hit the target at all more often than not. I certainly won’t be “Axe thrower Number 3” in any King Arthur sequel. I was slightly better with a two handed over the head throw – the key is letting go at the right moment – not too soon (it goes too high) or too late (it goes too low).
Seriously, go and see King Arthur, then get your mates down to Whistle Punks – they have branches in London and Manchester with another one popping up in Birmingham soon. You won’t be disappointed.
Neil Calloway is a pub quiz extraordinaire and Top Gun obsessive.
