thought this would be something to bring the night life out downtown .”
Dean said the owners were clearly passionate about the sport and not just in it for the money . Dean said this business will attract diverse age groups and provide another reason for people to come downtown .
“ It ’ s something fun , something different coming to downtown ,” she said .
Dean said buying the building not only provides something positive for Claremore , but also creates an avenue for other peoples dreams – like Anvil Axe Co . and Oklahoma Pizza Co .
“ We ’ re big on legacy and leaving things for our kids ,” she said . “ This is our opportunity to help the City of Claremore .”
Ward said Anvil Axe Co . will offer services to the business community – like hosting Christmas parties – and also to individuals .
“ The World Axe Throwing League is new , growing and has a lot of momentum behind the sport right now ,” he said .
Ward used to own a military style leadership training company in Joplin . When participant Kasey Jennings came through she mentioned how it would be the perfect location for an axe house . Within three months , Ward had an axe house up and running and began his throwing career in 2019 .
Ward said axe throwing became a sport in 2017 .
“ It ’ s only been a sport for a few years and we were on the cutting edge of it ,” he said .
Ward and Rogers started participating in tournaments and created a traveling axe team .
“ We were traveling to places like Virginia Beach , Dallas , Houston , Columbus , DeMoines , St . Louis – doing these World Axe Throwing League tournaments , trying to qualify for the U . S . Open ,” he said .
Four members of the team qualified for the U . S . Open in their first year of participating in the sport .
Ward qualified for the World Axe Throwing Championship and placed
ninth in the competition . “ I ’ m considered 9th in the world ,” he said .
Ward said he ’ s always had a love for woodworking and began making custom axe handles out of exotic wood . People began noticing his work and requesting handles .
“ Now I have a business of doing that ,” he said . “ I ’ ve got five of the top 10 throwers in the world throwing with my handles .”
With precision , a correct weight signature and better center of gravity and balance in mind , Ward began making axe heads as well .
“ We design specific axe throwing heads that are custom specific to throwing ,” he said .
In the past a hatchet would be forged on an anvil – a metal working tool – and hammered into shape .
“ We figure our axes are so tough they could cut into an anvil ,” he said .
And that ’ s where the name Anvil Axe Co . originated .
April 2022 • Green Country Scene • Good Eats | Tahlequah Daily Press 19