Vikings of Bjornstad - Impalement Arts

The Vikings of Bjornstad have found that throwing axes and loosing arrows is a very physical way of connecting with the Viking Age. Our late friend John Labash called these The Impalement Arts and we've kept the name in his honor. In the following photos, we've set up our targets at the De Luna Ranch, and with their kind permission, have a lot of fun using our weapons to damage a few targets. It's always a fun day and one we try to repeat a few times a year, pandemics and inconsiderate rain aside.

Will, Jack, Henrik, Tory and Ed - well-armed with axes	Sticking the axes in the targets - at all - is not that easy
I can do this...	Will delivers with feeling
Jack and Tory watch as Will launches his axe	Henrik is firmly focused on the target
Decisions, decisions	Tory attacks the target
Ed doesn't look satisfied with the result	Ed and Will examine the task at hand
Ed instructs the axe where the target is	Ed, Will and Jack are enjoying the day
Will prepares for distance	Will and Jack attack from three-rotation range
Will with three axes stuck	We're not buying it, Ed
Will sticks axes in two targets	Jack considers adjustments for the next throws
Jack with an axe in flight	Tory and Ed working hard at it
Will throwing shade at the targets	Take this...
Will launches one as Tory looks on	Jack and Will watch as Ed switches to archery
Now if this were Sherwood Forest...	Take this, Guy of Gisborne!
Jack has his target sighted...	and releases the arrow
Jack and Ed discuss the results	It has been a good day all around
Yeah, it's us

In the past, Bjornstad has joined throwing masters John Labash and Andre LePage of Impalement Arts at the Diablo Rod & Gun Club in Concord, California to learn the fine of art of throwing knives, axes and spears - and sticking them in a target. John and Andre taught us the fundamentals and then we happily threw knives, axes and every other weapon we brought. We certainly weren't impalement experts, but we were all able to start sticking the target pretty consistently within a half-hour.

Andre Lepage (at left) joins the Bjornstad shield wall.	All ages can play.
Douglas, Ed and Andre concentrate on the task at hand.	Ready for the next round.
In the background, Jaime launches her axe.	Ed aims with his knife.
Jack considers this serious business.	With knives or axes.
Another knife away.	The one-rotation throw.
Jaime and Jack discuss the situation.	Jaime gets into it.
Will sticks three of the not-well-known Viking throwing stars.	Cheryl prepares to throw.
And it's on its way.	It's a nice warm day at the range.
Kay, Henrik and Jack wait for the signal to attack.	Henrik launches his axe.
John Labash's mission is to gain converts to competitive throwing. Here he tries on some Bjornstad gear.	Jack launches his third axe in this set. The trick is consistency of release, establishing a set distance from the target and controlling the number of rotations.
Kay retrieves her knives while Henrik concentrates on the next shot.	I can do this...
Bjornstad gets the axe ...
Some weapons made for better results than others. Heavier axes took much more effort.	Kay practices knife throwing.
That's half a rotation.	It's on its way.
Ray launches an axe...	... and sticks it.
The axe throwing is going well...	It's one of Henrik's old plywood shields, a test subject for the day.
Henrik uses the shield to test the penetration of thrown weapons. No, he wasn't holding it when they were thrown.	The shield provides unnerving, but effective, defense against missile weapons. The shield boss is clearly more than decoration.
Jack's having fun...	... and briefly considers throwing his sword. But doesn't.
Since it's a perfect opportunity, Henrik brought an atlatl to try out. Doesn't everyone have one?	The atlatl proves its effectiveness quickly. It definitely improves throwing accuracy and distance.
Ray decides to try out Henrik's atlatl.	The atlatl is not a Viking weapon as far as we know, but using it was an interesting experience. It gave us an oddly compelling connection to our ancestors from a far distant past. We kept imagining mammoths downrange...
The spear/arrow is on its way.	Jack demonstrates the flexing of the atlatl arrow - or perhaps just poor throwing technique.