Members of the WATL Craftsman Program are invited to participate in the second annual WATL Craftsman Awards.

The 2022 Craftsman Awards are being revisited now as we felt previously there was not enough time provided for craftsmen to put their very best ideas forward.

We want to give our craftsmen the opportunity to really showcase what they are capable of creating, given the time and space to do so.

The Awards Are:

  • Best Axe – Scored By A Panel of Judges
  • Community Choice: Axe – Voted By The WATL Community
  • Community Choice: Sheath – Voted By The WATL Community

BEST AXE

This competition will be scored by a panel of judges – each axe will be rated on a 10-point scale in each of the following five categories:

  1. Art/Style
  • Distinctive style and design, let your imagination run wild!
  1. Craftsmanship

How well is the axe finished – both head and handle – some of the criteria the judges are going to be looking for:

  • How finished is the sanding (do grind lines all match on the head and handle)
  • Are there any gaps in the glue up
  • Is there bubbles in the epoxy
  1. Quality of the Hang
  • How well is the head affixed to the handle
  • How centered is the wedge, are there any gaps
  • Is the blade true to the handle
  1. Functionality For Throwers
  • Is the axe durable
  • Is the handle designed to fit comfortably in someone’s hand
  • Is the blade modified to throw for maximum coverage
  1. Staying True To Original WATL Design
  • Are the customizations enhancing the stock axe’s original identity

COMMUNITY CHOICE AWARDS

These Awards will be judged by the WATL Community, each community member will get one vote.

The same axe CAN be submitted in both the ‘Best Axe’ and ‘Community Choice’ categories. (Updated for the 2022-2023 Award Season)

There are two (2) Community Choice Awards:

  1. Community Choice – Axe
  2. Community Choice – Sheath

Each submission must include at least four (4) pictures to be displayed with your entry.

These photos can be styled, but can not obscure the axe or sheath.

The community will vote for their favorites in an online poll.

Rules of the Craftsman Awards

  • All participants must be a member of the Certified Craftsman Program as of Dec. 31st, 2022
  • All Participants are allowed one (1) unique entry for each category
  • All Axes/Sheathes need to have been created between Jan. 1st 2022 and March 1st 2023
  • All Submitted Axes must be WATL Axe Heads
  • All designs must adhere to the WATL Code of Conduct
  • Judges for the Best Axe may not compete in that category

Participants must submit at least four (4) photos for each Axe Category:

  • Photo of the left and right profiles of each entry – totaling two (2) photos
  • Birds-eye view of the whole entry laid on a table
  • Close-up of the axe head detail
  • Close-up of the axe handle detail
  • Styled shot – displaying your axe how you would like
  • For a Best Axe submission, pay attention to the criteria and submit photos/video accordingly
  • Each Best Axe submission must include a video of the axe being thrown

Community Choice – Sheath, three (3) photos can be uploaded

  • 1 of each side profile
  • 1 highlighting a key design feature

  • All Entries Must Be Submitted by March 1st, 2023

Prizes

Each winner will receive a Craftsman Plaque

Best Axe: $500 Credit to the WATL Store

Community Choice Awards: $275 Credit to the WATL Store (per award).

Sign up for the Craftsman Program!

Sign up through the link below!

Sign Up Today!