Throwing Knives
A crazily addictive sport
Once your first knife sticks in the bulls eye with this authoritative "whomp", you'll be hooked. A wooden target and a set of throwing knives is all you need to have fun in your backyard. A session of throwing knives is strangely relaxing - you start stressed, maybe even angry, and finish relaxed. Throwing knives gets elevated to a new level of fun when you meet up with other throwers, sticking your knives together in games like the ladder or knife snooker.
Throwing Knives: How-To
So, what's the deal in throwing knives?, you ask. Well, the physics of a throw mean that thrown knives will turn end-over-end in their flight. They will only stick in the target if they happen to get there tip first. The Big Secret to throwing knives hence is: Do train to get a consistent, almost clockwork -like throwing motion, then do find the distance where the knives stick.
Some pointers to get you throwing:
Grip the knife at the handle, like you would hold a hammer. The thumb is on the side. Now, loosen your grip. Stand at 3.2m (10.5 feet) from the target, and, coming from your back, make a motion as if you are cutting a branch in front of you - one for which you have to stretch. That is the basic motion for throwing knives! Now repeat 20 times.
Next time you make the motion, let the knife slip from your hand when it is pointing directly at the target, Now, repeat 50 times. By chance, some knives will stick, but remember that at the start, it's all about getting down a consistent motion for throwing knives. To find the right sticking distance then, read up on how to adjust your distance for knife throwing, which boils down to: "If the handle is up, move closer ½ foot."
Which Throwing Knives are Good?
Unfortunately, many throwing knives are designed to look cool, not to throw well. Here is what to look for in knives for fun and safe throwing:
Pure design, no fancy ornaments or cut-outs that will catch your palm. Straight handle for smooth release.
Dull edges - a pointy tip is all it takes for reliable sticks.
Weight at least 200g (7 ounces). Thrown knives with less heft tend to bounce back from the target erratically.
Memorise these recommendations, and then get more tips and knife selection help:
More Throwing
Websites
- Throwing.it
Blog with knife throwing news - The Great Throwzini
Huge site with throwing tips and lists of US throwers - Epic Blade Time
The fun of throwing knives shows in these videos - The Great Throwdini
The world's fastest knife thrower - Knife Throwing Worldwide
Throwing instructions in multiple languages - Blade Aces
US knife throwing association - EuroThrowers
European knife and axe throwing association
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Author
Dr. Christian Thiel is the vice-chairman of the European Knife Throwing Association (EuroThrowers), and author of special-interest articles on knife throwing (e.g. on the physics of the throw). He runs KnifeThrowing.info, a renowned website with throwing tips and knife reviews.
Spear Style
You know, those magic throwing knives that fly with the tip always facing the target? They do exist! It's just that they are not thrown in the standard fashion described above, but like a miniature spear. So, if you are eager for fast sticks, give the Gyro Dart knife a try.
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