Recently, the International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF) announced an update regarding their app, Axe Scores. A new version is coming soon, but with a catch—certain features will now sit behind a $2.99/month paywall.
I have to be honest—this is a terrible idea. Based on the feedback I’ve seen, the community is divided, and it’s no surprise to me. On the surface, the Axe Throwing Community (ATC) appears supportive, wholesome, and ideal—where we all cheer for each other, and nothing could be better. But peel back the top layer, and you’ll find a dysfunctional family, no different from any other, where toxic behavior is ignored, justified, or even disguised as loyalty.
My Background in Axe Throwing
I started throwing in 2019 after tagging along to a coworker’s night out. I was hooked—not because I thought I could be good or compete, but because it was fun and a damn good stress reliever. Throwing something and hitting a target was a release after a shitty day at work, dealing with the fallout of my divorce, or resisting the urge to cuss out reckless drivers.
Since then, I’ve thrown in different cities, different venues, met throwers from all walks of life, and even thrown axes in another country. I can confidently say that no one in axe throwing is truly a bad person—not in the way I define “bad.” I’ve spent time in my youth around people who were actually dangerous. The worst people in axe throwing? They’re just playing characters. That doesn’t mean we don’t have shitty people—it just means there’s a difference between bad people and people who act like assholes.
The $2.99 Paywall: A Cash Grab That Misses the Point
How can a simple $2.99/month fee cause such a rift? Because it exposes what’s been wrong with the IATF for a while now. To me, this is nothing more than an organization trying to squeeze every last dollar out of throwers while expecting them to be grateful for the opportunity.
Let’s break it down:
- The IATF already charges $8 per thrower per league—where is that money going?
- The Axe Scores app still contains incorrect data (I have a match from 2019 that still isn’t complete).
- The user experience is clunky at best, and now we’re supposed to pay extra for features that should have been properly implemented from the start?
Why would anyone with a functioning brain pay for an app that doesn’t even display accurate stats?
The Divide Within the Community
The people defending this paywall tend to be those who have skin in the game—either they run a venue, want to stay in IATF’s good graces, or are just obsessed with maintaining their place in the “inner circle.” It’s all transactional.
The same people who keep pushing the “axe family” narrative are often the ones who look the other way when shitty behavior happens, because calling it out might hurt their status. It’s a cult-like mentality—where loyalty is expected, but accountability is nonexistent.
When the Writing Was on the Wall
The writing was on the wall for IATF when Chris Ross of Total Axe left. The fact that IATF didn’t fight harder to keep him involved is proof that they don’t truly care about the growth and sustainability of the sport.
Chris was someone who actually gave a damn about the community. Some people might have their issues with him, but if you think his decisions weren’t in the best interest of throwers, you’re just wrong. Full stop. No debate.
Winning vs. Enjoying the Sport
I love competition. I get the high of winning. But there’s something truly miserable about watching people who only feel joy when they win. If you’re only happy when you’re the last one standing, I genuinely feel bad for you.
And let’s talk about the mentality surrounding “losing” in this sport. If there was a top 32 tournament, and one of those throwers went 0-2, I guarantee you the others would look down on them. And that thrower? They’d feel like a failure.
That’s ridiculous.
If you think an 0-2 tournament outing makes you a failure, you need to get your head out of your own ass.
Final Thoughts: The $2.99 Paywall Is Just a Symptom
At the end of the day, the $2.99 paywall isn’t just about an app—it’s about everything that’s wrong with IATF and, frankly, the ATC in general.
- It’s about bad financial decisions that keep getting passed down to throwers.
- It’s about a community that preaches support but thrives on toxicity.
- It’s about a sport that started in someone’s backyard but now feels corporate, rigid, and miserable.
I still love throwing. I still love many of the people I’ve met through it. But I’m not blind to its flaws, and I refuse to pretend everything is fine just because the “axe family” demands loyalty.
If IATF wants to charge a paywall, they better be ready for real accountability—because throwers deserve better than being nickeled and dimed for a subpar product.