I don't know if it would work but I've just bought some more of these electromagnets.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2711813511...84.m1439.l2649

They're the ones to hold fire doors open (rather than ones to keep doors closed which have roughly 1/2 the pull) they'll pull 40kg's at 24V drawing minimal amps (2-3) I was wondering if you could wire it up with the weapon motor such that as soon as you fire the axe the magnet engages sticking the front edge to the floor, then releasing as soon as the axe was down?

Just an idea. Splinter was pants this year but I was really please with how the electromagnets worked, with a little tweaking I think they could be used effectively in a number of machines.

The magnet comes out of the housing and is 50mm dia, about 30mm deep has a large threaded hole in the back (M10 - 12ish) weighs very little and requires nothing more complicated than a 24V supply to generate the magnetism.