Throwing axe

[Demoquin]

The throwing axe is a light weapon compared to the javalin/club. (Also, javalins take a penalty when used in melee).

If all you're going to do is throw it, the throwing axe isn't that great; But if used in melee, it can be finessed, or used offhand for lower TWF penalties. I think it makes a great offhand weapon for a TWF dwarf who, after downing his current opponent, throws it into the back of an enemy 15 ft away.

Alternatively, it works well if both your weapons are throwing axes, and you can spend feats on them that improve both your melee and ranged attacks (weapon focus, specilization, etc).

Throwing Weapons are doubled range. So a throwing axe is 20 ft not 15.

 

[Dross]

No, you have to make it a weapon that can be thrown before with the throwing enchantment, with the feat it's you which can throw anything not the weapon that can be thrown by anyone.
Returning: This special ability can only be placed on a weapon that can be thrown. A returning weapon flies through the air back to the creature that threw it. It returns to the thrower just before the creature’s next turn (and is therefore ready to use again in that turn).

Throwing: This ability can only be placed on a melee weapon. A melee weapon crafted with this ability gains a range increment of 10 feet and can be thrown by a wielder proficient in its normal use.

Although I personally see it as a waste of magic and $$. you could place the throwing ability on a weapon then the returning ability.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

But you have to admit it would be pretty surprising to turn and flee from the barbarian ... who then tosses his greatsword through you and calls it back the next round.

--fje

 

[Enamel_32]

I've seen it happen: A frenzying beserker supreme cleaves through 7 or so easy enemies, but then has nobody to hit. Realizing this, he launches his greatsword into another guy's head, and the sword flies back to his hand next round.