Targets

Target Material and Layout

Targets may be constructed in multiple ways. 

  • Traditional IKTHOF end grain targets. Dimensional lumber cut to 5.5 inches and arranged into 2’X2’ squares framed by 2X6 lumber

  • SPF kiln dried or green boards 4’ in length hung tightly together to eliminate gaps in a vertical orientation.

  • An end grain “wall” measuring 4’X4’  made of an approved lumber species. Blocks should be no less than 4 inches thick and packed tightly together, eliminating gaps.

  • Log rounds of a minimum 24 inch diameter and 5 inch thickness made of an approved species. 

Approved Lumber Species

As different species have different hardness, some do not make good end grain targets. Here is a list of those that make good ones. This is by no means a final list.

  • Pine

  • Spruce

  • Poplar

  • Cottonwood

  • Palm

  • Soft maple

  • The limit on whether the species is acceptable is based on whether axes can stick into them reliably without excessive force.

  • Knives can stick into lumber that axes cannot so we will go with the axe limit.

Acceptable Boards/Blocks

While avoiding knots entirely is not possible, no target will have a visible knot in or around the bullseye to a distance of 4.5 inches from the edge.

Subframe for Board/Plank Targets

  • The minimum subframe specifications are laid out in numbered layers, the first layer being in contact with the wall. 

  • Pre existing subframes built to WATL or IATF specifications are also acceptable.

Layer 1

  • A single piece of OSB (7/16” minimum thickness) measuring 48”X 96”  will be anchored to the wall vertically with appropriate anchors given the wall material,  reaching a height of 8 feet.

Layer 2 

  • A layer of SPF lumber of 1-½” thickness will cover Layer 1 in its entirety with little to no excess coverage, in a vertical orientation. 

  • The specific width dimensions of this layer can vary. 

    • Using 2X10 SPF lumber is recommended.

  •  This layer will also be securely anchored to the wall, not only to the OSB layer. 

Layer 3

  • A horizontal layer of 6- 2x10 SPF boards will be anchored to layer 2. 

  • This layer will cover Layer 2 from the 7 foot mark down 55.5 inches, covering just over a 4’x4’ area on Layer 2, and leaving an exposed 48’x28.5’” area below and a 48”x12” area above. 

  •  This layer will be anchored with 3 inch wood screws. 

Layer 4

The target surface

  • This layer will be made of 7-2x8 boards vertically oriented and cut to 4’ in length.

  •  Layer 4 will run even with the top of Layer 3 and cover 48 inches down, leaving the lowest 2x10 of Layer 3 partially exposed for the footer.

  • The centre of the centre board will match a line running vertically through the centre of Layer 3. 

  • The remaining 2X8’s will fill out the rest of the target surface.

Header

  • Two 2x12, 2X10 or 2x8 boards cut to 4’ will be used to fill the exposed area of layer 2.

    • The first  board will lay horizontally and cover the top section of layer 2 and anchored with 3 inch screws. 

    • The second board will be anchored to the first , covering the first board completely. This will bring the header even with the  target surface.

Footer

  • One 2X10 board will be cut to 4’ and placed horizontally across the exposed section of Layer 3.

    •  This will result in an overhang from the footer to Layer 3. 

    • This overhang can be used to install a hanging bumper below the footer. 

    • If an overhang is not desired, a 2x8 board can be used for the footer. 

Board Target Layout

In the interest of keeping all 3 bullseyes to the centre of a board League Of Edges recommends the following dimensional lumber layout starting from the outside left edge and hung vertically:

2x8,2x8,2x8,2x8,2x8,2x8,2x8

         L           C R

  • This layout will ensure each bullseye is toward the centre of its board, yielding the best lifespan for an individual board while still remaining in the 4’X4’ area (+/- 1/2”)

Subframes for Traditional IKTHOF Targets, Log Rounds and End Grain Walls

Due to the excessive weight of these target types it is the responsibility of range owners/builders to assess their anchoring needs based on the area being used. League Of Edges strongly recommends significant anchoring into concrete/block walls with Tapcon style concrete lag bolts, in order to meet weight requirements. Subframes into wooden walls need to lag across several studs and into the floor/ceiling where available. If you are unfamiliar with these processes League Of Edges insists you have a skilled contractor or architect examine the job and create a plan that will ensure the safety of anyone coming in contact with these setups. League Of Edges can also be contacted for guidance with this phase of the process. 

Lane Design

A throwing lane that is safe and functional for both axe and knife throwing should provide the following elements:

Lane Dimensions

  • As single lane (1 target) should be no less than 5 feet wide, allowing for throwers to move freely in their lane while a neighbouring lane is being used. 

  • Ceilings should be 8 feet high for knives and 10 feet or higher for axes. 

  • Lanes should be no less than 4 meters long, allowing throwers to comfortably throw from the 3m line. Four meters is the shortest lane allowed in League Of Edges. 

  • For knives, lane length of 8 meters, and 10 meters for axes, is ideal to throw at all required distances, but this length is not required for League Of Edges affiliation (see Lane Designations)

Target bumpers

Bumpers are hanging rubber mats above and below the edges of the target surface, roughly even with or slightly behind the surface of the target.

  • Bumpers are designed to reduce or eliminate bounces occurring when implements hit the top or bottom edge of the target surface, and bounce back off the wall the target frame is anchored to. Without bumpers these bounces can be quite dangerous. 

  • League Of Edges recommends horse stall mats, or a similar material to be used as bumpers which run the entire length of the edge of the target. 

Lane partitions

  • It is recommended that if lane partitions are to be constructed they should be made of a material able to stop knives from passing through. It is for this reason that League Of Edges does not recommend using chain link fence as a partition alone, since all throwing knives are able to pass through. 

  • Recommended materials for partitions are chicken wire in conjunction with chain link or solid materials like plywood. 

Floor coverings

League Of Edges recommends that floors are completely covered to at least the 5 meter line. Exposed concrete, cement, or tiled floors facilitate bigger bounces, longer slides, significantly more noise and broken knives. Covering the floor to 5 meters or more will greatly reduce errant knives’ travel distance and increase safety. 

  • It is recommended that heavy rubber mats are used for covering the first 2 meters of floor in front of the target, and wood material such as plywood or OSB used from 2 meters to at least 5 meters. 

    • Floor coverings should be fixed flat and free of tripping hazards to throwers. 

Floor markings

League Of Edges requires meter markings to indicate throwing distances. A lane should have as many meter marks as allowable in the given space starting from 2 meters and going back. 

  • Half meter marks, while not required, are also encouraged to help throwers find their distances

    • Foot and inch marks are also acceptable in addition to meter marks, but not  without.

Target Style and Placement

  • The IKTHOF octagon layout will be used for all targets.

  • The lines can be (spray)painted or drawn on with a marker, whichever works best for the target material.

  • Stencil files will be provided by League Of Edges. It is the range owner’s responsibility to have the stencil made. 

  • IKTHOF standard bullseye heights have been deviated from in order to fit all three targets into a 4’X4’ space. 

  • The centres of the left and right bullseye will be placed between 60 and 70 inches from the ground.

  • The bottom, centre bullseye will be placed between 45-50 inches from the ground. 

ikthof target points.png

Scoring

Scoring is as follows.

Bulls are 5 points and then one less for each ring going outward from the bull making a  5,4,3,2,1 pattern.

Using the Killshot

loekillshot.png

  • In the Cup Leagues and Conventional League Season-Finals an additional target can be used.

  • The killshot is a 2.75 inch diameter circle and is worth 7 points. 

  • The height of the killshot will be determined by the host venue to fit best with their target set up. 

  • The killshot can be substituted for one and only one throw in any round. 

    • Instead of the left, bottom, right pattern the thrower can add the killshot making the pattern:

    • Left, bottom, kill,

Left, kill, right, or

Kill,  bottom, right

  • A thrower must turn to the scorekeeper and call killshot and be acknowledged by the scorekeeper before they begin their throw to be awarded points.

Drops

  • If a knife or axe drops from the target before the conclusion of the round and before the scorekeeper is able to definitively award points for the throw, a score of zero will be given.

  • Throwers may not touch any axe or knife to keep it from falling while it is being scored.

Determining a Score

  • Scores are determined based on where the blade touches the surface of the target.

  • Points cannot be awarded based on parts of the blade beneath or hovering above the surface of the target.

  • Axes and knives are scored to the better a.k.a. Just the Tip.

    • If the blade is touching more than one ring at the surface of the target, the thrower is awarded the higher valued point. 

  • For knives, the tip of the knife must touch or break the surface of the target to be a valid throw