Reviewed · POLAND
Kraków: Shurikens, Kunais, Knives, Tomahawks, Axes, Shooting
The unusual part comes first: at Kraków’s Axe Mate Club, you can move from lumberjack axe throwing to ninja stars, knives, darts, and target shooting in one 90-minute session. I like the mix because it gives you several chances to find your talent, and I like that the venue belongs to the World Axe Throwing League, rather than being just a casual bar game.
I also like the practical instruction. Guide Tomek has given one-on-one pointers that helped a struggling participant improve quickly, and the English and Polish instruction makes the session easy to follow. The main drawback is time: 90 minutes goes fast when you are learning so many weapons, so you may only get a taste of each one.
Key points to know before booking
- A full weapons sampler: Try lumberjack axes, tomahawks, sport knives, shuriken, kunai, darts, a pistol, and rifle shooting.
- A World Axe Throwing League venue: The axe area gives the activity a proper sporting setting, not just a holiday novelty.
- Personal coaching matters: The instructor watches your throws and can give individual corrections, including one-on-one help.
- The shooting section adds variety: Fire a P-07 Duty CZ 75 pistol, then try the rifle and full automatic option listed for the club.
- Allow for a quick pace: The 90-minute format is fun and energetic, but short if you want to master every weapon.
- Wear the right gear: Bring a passport or ID card and closed-toe shoes. Anyone under 18 needs a legal guardian.
Starting with Kraków axe throwing

The session begins with the lumberjack axe, a tool designed to shape and split wood. Here, you learn to send it into a target rather than swing it at a log, with the basic instruction included in the entrance price.
This is a good opening activity because the technique is simple to understand but not always simple to perform. You need a steady stance, a controlled release, and enough force to let the axe rotate into the target. If you throw too hard or alter the motion halfway through, the blade may miss the center.
I like that the venue is a member of the World Axe Throwing League. That detail gives the first part of the session a sporting edge. You are not merely tossing a novelty object for a photo. You are working with a format linked to an organized international competition.
Your instructor should explain how to hold the axe and where to aim before you begin. After your first attempts, pay attention to corrections rather than simply throwing harder. A small change in your release can matter more than extra muscle.
The best moment comes when the axe sticks cleanly in the center. You do not need previous experience, and the activity is suitable for beginners, but you should expect a little trial and error. The venue’s equipment and instruction make the task approachable, while the short session keeps the pace moving.
Other Poland visits people book on the same trip:
- From Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Hotel Pickup
★ 4.5 · 33,358 reviews - From Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Hotel Pickup
★ 4.5 · 29,340 reviews - Krakow: Auschwitz Guided Tour with Optional Hotel Pickup
★ 4.5 · 15,280 reviews
Switching to tomahawks and sport knives

Next comes the tomahawk, a smaller hatchet with a different feel from the lumberjack axe. Its shape changes the balance in your hand, so you cannot assume that the same throw will work twice.
This comparison is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You can feel how a different weapon changes your timing, grip, and release. If the larger axe does not suit you, the tomahawk may feel more manageable. If you prefer the weight of the larger axe, the tomahawk gives you a useful contrast.
The knife throwing section brings another change. The club uses a blade designed by WKTL for international knife throwing tournaments, which gives the activity a clear sporting connection. Knife throwing also demands patience. You are aiming for a consistent rotation and a clean landing, not simply flicking the blade toward the target.
I would listen closely during the first demonstration and keep your movements controlled. The point is to repeat one reliable motion. You may find that the knives reward accuracy more than strength, while the axes make you think about weight and rotation.
This part also shows why the session can feel rushed. The experience includes several types of equipment, and every one has its own learning curve. You will have time to try them, but you should not expect a full tournament-level lesson in each discipline.
Trying shuriken and kunai at Axe Mate Club

The ninja section adds the most visual variety. You try shuriken, the familiar throwing stars shaped like an asterisk, followed by kunai, traditional Japanese tools that could also serve as climbing hooks.
The shuriken are likely to feel the most immediately accessible. One participant found them the easiest weapon to throw, and that matches the appeal of the design: the object feels balanced and offers several points that can meet the target. Even so, follow the instructor’s method and do not treat them like darts.
Kunai require a different approach. Their shape and history make them interesting, but the key value here is the chance to compare them with the shuriken and knives. You are not studying ninja history in depth. You are learning basic handling and testing how each item travels.
I like this section because it keeps the experience from becoming a standard axe-only outing. The Japanese weapons give you a fresh problem after the heavier axes and tomahawks. They also make the session a good fit for a group with different interests, since one person may prefer the ninja weapons while another enjoys the axes.
Safety and attention matter here. You should wait for instructions before picking up or throwing any item, and you should keep the pace set by the instructor. The supplied rules prohibit smoking, alcohol, and drugs, and you cannot enter under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Practicing darts before the shooting range

Darts are included as part of the session, giving you a familiar target sport between the heavier weapons and firearms. If you already play darts, this is a chance to work on your aim in a different setting. If you are new to it, the activity provides a lighter break from axe and knife throwing.
I see the dart section as a small but useful addition rather than the main event. It helps round out the mix and lets you compare a standard precision game with weapons that rely on rotation, weight, or blade placement.
You may find darts easier to control than the axes, but that does not guarantee a high score. The basic challenge remains the same: repeat the same motion and aim carefully. With only 90 minutes, darts will probably be a short part of the visit, so treat it as a quick extra rather than a full lesson.
A different kind of day in Poland:
- Krakow–Zakopane: Cable Car, Chocholow Baths, Cheese & Vodka
★ 5.0 · 10,720 reviews - Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour with Pickup & Lunch
★ 4.5 · 9,800 reviews - From Krakow: Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour
★ 4.6 · 9,393 reviews - Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour Pickup/Lunch Options
★ 4.5 · 9,057 reviews
Firing the CZ 75 P-07 pistol

The final major section takes you to the shooting range. The experience includes firing a P-07 Duty CZ 75 pistol, described with a Blow Back system and a muzzle velocity of 110 meters per second. Those technical details tell you that this is a target-shooting activity with emphasis on controlled aiming and precision.
If you have never shot before, the instructor’s guidance becomes especially important. The basic instruction is included, and you should follow every range command exactly. Do not worry about trying to look experienced. A steady stance and careful aim are more useful than rushing through shots.
This can be a memorable part of the session because it is so different from the throwing stations. You move from a physical release to a more measured task. The pistol also gives the visit a stronger sense of variety, especially for someone who has tried axe throwing before.
The description uses firearm terminology, while one earlier account refers to pneumatic guns. For that reason, you should confirm the current shooting setup with Axe Mate Club if the exact equipment matters to you. The supplied activity details specifically include the P-07 Duty CZ 75 pistol, rifle shooting, and a full automatic rifle option, but they do not provide a complete breakdown of the range equipment or ammunition.
Adding rifle and full automatic shooting

The club also includes rifle shooting, with a full automatic option listed among the activities. This is likely to be the part that many people remember most, but it should not overshadow the instruction and safety rules.
A first-time shooter may need extra help with stance, aiming, and managing the pace. The experience is not presented as advanced firearms training. It is a supervised introduction within a mixed activity session, so keep your expectations realistic.
If you already have military or range experience, you may find the shooting section more familiar than the throwing weapons. One participant with military shooting experience performed particularly well with the automatic rifle, while a first-time shooter found the pistol and rifle surprisingly enjoyable. That contrast gives you a useful idea of the session: it can work for both beginners and people who already have some skill, but they may get different things from it.
Ask the instructor for help if you need it. Tomek has provided individual advice during the session, and that kind of correction can make a clear difference when your first attempts are inconsistent.
Why 90 minutes can feel short

The timetable is the biggest issue to consider. In an hour and a half, you may try eight or more activities, including large axes, tomahawks, knives, ninja weapons, darts, a pistol, and rifle shooting.
That variety is also the appeal. You never spend too long on one station, and the session suits a group that wants an active outing rather than a long technical course. You can quickly learn which activity feels natural and which one needs more practice.
Still, if your main aim is to become good at axe throwing, this format may leave you wanting more. You might only just begin to understand the release before moving to another weapon. One participant found the 90 minutes too short to get fully comfortable with every type, while another person in the same group picked things up quickly.
I would book this as an introduction and a memorable night out, not as a specialist lesson. If you want focused practice, ask whether the club offers a longer or single-discipline session. If you want to sample as much as possible, the mixed format gives you good value for the time.
Price, location, and what to bring

The listed price is $106 per group up to one person. That wording is unusual, so check the final total and group conditions carefully before paying. Value depends on how many activities you want to try, but the package includes entrance, instruction, all the throwing stations, darts, pistol shooting, and rifle shooting.
For someone who would otherwise book separate axe throwing and shooting activities, the combined format can make sense. You are paying for access to a wide range of equipment and a guide who explains the basics. For a person interested only in one weapon, the price may feel less attractive than a focused session.
The meeting point is Axe Mate Club. It is a short walk from Galeria Kazimierz, which makes the venue practical if you are already in that part of Kraków. The activity takes place in Lesser Poland, Poland, and instruction is available in English or Polish.
Bring:
- A passport or ID card
- Closed-toe shoes
The footwear rule matters. You will be handling axes, knives, and other hard equipment, so sandals and open shoes are not suitable. Food is not included, so plan to eat before or after the session rather than expecting refreshments at the club.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before building the rest of your evening around it.
Who should book this Kraków experience

I would recommend it to you if you want an active and unusual break from museums, cafés, and old-town sightseeing. It works especially well for couples, friends, birthday groups, and anyone who likes trying several new skills in one outing.
It is also a good choice if your group has mixed interests. The axe fan can focus on the lumberjack axe and tomahawk, the ninja enthusiast can spend time with shuriken and kunai, and the target-shooting fan can look forward to the pistol and rifle stations.
First-time shooters should not feel out of place. Basic instruction is included, and the guide can offer individual help. At the same time, people with prior shooting experience may enjoy comparing that skill with the throwing activities.
I would be more cautious if you dislike fast sessions or want detailed coaching on one weapon. You may also want to choose another activity if anyone in your group is uncomfortable around weapons. All participants must follow the club’s rules, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
Should you book the Axe Mate Club session?

Book it if you want variety, direct instruction, and a memorable 90 minutes in Kraków. The strongest features are the mix of weapons, the proper axe-throwing venue, and the chance to receive useful individual corrections from an English or Polish-speaking instructor such as Tomek.
Skip it if you want a slow, detailed course in axe throwing, knife throwing, or shooting. The session moves quickly, and you will sample many activities rather than master one. For most people seeking something unusual to do near Galeria Kazimierz, though, the combination of axes, ninja weapons, darts, pistol shooting, and rifle shooting offers solid entertainment for the time.
FAQ
How long does the Axe Mate Club experience last?
The experience lasts 90 minutes.
What activities are included?
You can try axe throwing, tomahawk throwing, sport knife throwing, shuriken throwing, kunai throwing, darts, pistol shooting, and rifle shooting. A full automatic rifle option is also listed.
What pistol will I shoot?
The activity includes a P-07 Duty CZ 75 pistol. Its listed muzzle velocity is 110 meters per second, and it uses a Blow Back system.
Which languages does the instructor speak?
Instruction is available in English and Polish.
What should I bring?
Bring a passport or ID card and wear closed-toe shoes.
Can children take part?
Children under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
Can I cancel my booking?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.
Recently added in Poland
- Gdansk: Outdoor Paintball and Private Transfers★ 4.7 · 3 reviews
- Auschwitz-Birkenau and Krakow Private Car Trip from Katowice★ 4.3 · 3 reviews
- Warsaw Wolf’s Lair with St. Lipka and Mamerki Private Guided★ 4.2 · 3 reviews
- Wawel Castle, Old Town with St. Mary’s Church Guided Tour★ 5.0 · 3 reviews
- From Krakow: Chocholow Thermal Hot Springs (hotel pick up)★ 5.0 · 3 reviews
- Private tour to Zakopane and Thermal Baths from Krakow★ 5.0 · 3 reviews
- Wawel Castle, Cathedral, Rynek Underground Tour with Lunch★ 5.0 · 3 reviews
- Taste of Poland, food tour and guided walk with 12 tasting★ 5.0 · 3 reviews
