Throwing hammer is nice in melee mode if loomed. 30 bash, 100 (or is it 101? I forget) speed, and 6 weight (!!! that's huge for a 1h weapon). Unless it has a hidden second weight for 1H mode... Length must be pretty low, something like the warhammer. I haven't used it extensively, but in my meager experience I get a higher knockdown rate than using +3 spathovaklion or warhammer.
Are the hunting axes 1H in alt mode, or 2H? I haven't tried out the new throwing weapons beyond a few times goofing around. If hunting axe is 1H it would probably be great compared to the other 1H throwing weapons.
Joke thrower/shield/1H build: Snowflakes x2, steel buckler, sai. Ninja clothes. Hell if you wanna go full retard you can replace the sai with katana for 1H katana buckler "fun." The buckler is 0 slots so you can grab a 2 slot backup weapon.