Hampshire

i recently bought a set and love it. I have a log set up for target practice. Any advice on long range throwing? Anyone else into throwing knives?
THanks in advance

R3d

what kind did you get?.. any links?

mkultra

I've always wanted to take them up (seem a lot more interesting than darts) but I've never gotten around to doing the necessary research on what type is for beginners, etc. I saw a demonstration on axe throwing once that was really impressive.

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Hampshire

i cant find a link but they look like little arrow heads, with a handle with holes in it. Seems to be the standard look and size of a throwing knife. It came with a little instructional book to, but it has bad pictures so it doesnt help much.

MSD

Here's a quick way to start. Make sure you have eye protection, especially if it's a wood target, since splinters can fly back pretty far. If the blade is long, you may want to start with leather gloves to avoid nasty cuts along the bases fo your fingers. Since I used a tree as my target to learn, I'll use that as an example. Just visualize your own target whenever I say "tree." It's a good way to start since nobody is going to give you crap about throwing a knife at a tree in your back yard, and there isn't much around to damage the knife when you miss. Make sure the area behind your target is clear for at least 50 feet and that the sides are clear for at least 20.


Stand 8 feet from your target. If you have a camera that you can set up perpendicular to the throw, do so now. If not, a friend standing back and watching can help.

Wrap your fingers loosely around the knife with the tip touching you palm just behind the base of the pinky finger and the handle protruding from your grip between the index finger and thumb. If it iis a single-bladed knife, the bladed side should be the leading edge in the spin.

Lift your arm up with your elbow bent completely, and your hand positioned just avobe and behind your shoulder. The handle of the knife should be pointed straight down. If it falls out of your hand, your grip is too loose.

Practice this next motion slowly several times without the knife, and have either the camera or the friend watch to make sure your arm moves in a flat plane parallel to the flat edge of the knife, and doesn't flail around at all.

Swing your arm forward. Make sure you're throwing When your upper arm is parallel to the ground, keep it in that position. Snap your wrist forward to impart spin to the knife. When your forearm is perpendicular to your upper arm, release the knife by opening your hand and allowing it to continue the motion unimpeded. The blade will most likely brush against your thumb and palm as it leaves your hand. If you do it right, you won't get cut. Since you're just starting, you should be using leather gloves and knives that with edges that aren't razor-sharp. Follow through the motion until your arm is fully extended. The knife should spin as it flies forward, and moments later, bounce off the tree with a resounding clang. Mark the spot where your fron foot was, and the spot directly under your hand. If a friend is watching, have them mark the spot under where the knife was released.

At this point, you should ask your friend who was watching, or review footage on the camera, and check the trajectory of the knife. If it goes up, release it later in the swing. If it goes down, release it earlier. The other thing that you need to check is the angle of the knife to the target as it hit. The tip should ocntact the target with an angle of about 15° blade-up (this means that the blade is pointing up, with an angle of 15° off perpendicular to the ground.) This will allow the rotation of the knife to cut deeper into the target, and increase the chance of getting it stuck in whatever you're throwing at. When you throw at different targets, you'll learn to adjust this angle, but for now, just go for a little bit less than head-on. Your friend, or the camera, will be able to tell you if the knife was too far blade-up or blade-down. If it's too far blade-down, step forward a foot at a time until you get it. If it's too far blade-up, step back.

Once you find the distance at which you can hit reliably, try tripling it. If you can maintain a straight line over that distance, the knife should hit and stick. WHy triple it, you ask? The knife should be leaving your hand with the blade facing you. It has to rotate 1/2 turn to stick in the target. If you double the distance, you're hitting the target wtih the handle. If you triple it, you give the knife time for another full rotation.


Let me know how this works out for you, and I can give you some more pointers.

assilem

MrSelfDestruct I just happened upon this thread by pure dumb luck and coincidence. I have never tried throwing knives yet I own five. I am starting tomorrow. This was a great inspiration as well as thorough instruction. One question though, should I use a throwing knife or will any knife work (excluding the butter and/or steak variety)?

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mazagmot

I'm guessing you should stick to throwing knives due to balance issues.

Hampshire

wow thanks for all the great information. I have been working crazy for the past week and i am working tonite also, im on a break right now. I am going to go outside and set up a tree. Ill get get back to you on my progress. Thanks ALOT!

=-visionz-=

that is good info. I had always been interested in throwing knives, but never really knew where to start. thanks!

MSD

To start, you definitely want some nice balanced throwing knives with the center of gravity exactly in the geometric center of the knife. Once you learn to control the spin of the knife (can hit a target at any distance, not just your starting distance and 3x that) you can start with butcher knives, steak knives, and anyhting else sharp and heavy enough to stick into a tree.

Also, od not use drywall, the edge of the knife will be dulled beyond repair in an hour.

Paq

i have made my own knives for this type thing for a long time and it is definitely addictive...

mrselfdestruct's instructions are great, but i gotta say, i and quite a fwe others had trouble with perfectly balanced knives and do much better with the handle having more weight than the blade, not extreme amounts, but just a bit, say move the balance point up an inch on a twelve inch knife.

I also found it MUUUCCCHHH easier to start off by changing the spin vs the distance, but that is just bc of how my mind works and varies for everyone. When teaching, i always stick to MSD's method.

couple other things that helped me tremendously:
1. don't forget that the knife should only spin 180 or 540 degrees, depending on distance. I and many others i have seen, started off with an uncontrollable amount of spin.

2. always always visualize the blade sticking into the exact area you want as your aim depends heavily on your focus and concentration. For me, it also helps for minor adjustments to the amount of spin.

3. for control excercises, you can use various household objects. I often use pens and cardboard when i am inside. If the pen doesn't stick, it leaves a mark telling me if i hit it with point or what. technique is about the same but on a smaller level.

4. don't be shocked if it feels like you are moving in slow motion through the throwing motion. it uis often necessary so you do not impart too much spin.


5. don't throw too hard at first bc it will probably spin too fast.. also, don't throw too hard with lighter objects.

be sure to look around online for other tips as this is really an addictive sport/pasttime

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MSD

Also, start with long knives. I know some people who won't throw anyhting less than 12" long becaue it's so much easier to control the spin.

Paq: why does it not surprise me that you make your own throwing knives?

Paq

hmmm...bc i am a cheap bastidge

seriously, why does that not surprise you. I didn't think i came across as a knife making freak

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MSD

You seem like the sort of creative guy who would customize his own knives so they work just right for you.

NoSoup

When I was younger, I used to practice using a tree in my backyard and this one specific chef's knife that my dad had let me use. I got pretty darn good with that one knife... I could stick it 9/10 times from anywhere in my back yard. After I could do that, I started throwing it harder - but alas, the practice had taken it's toll and the knife basically shattered.

After that, I bought some actual throwing knives, but it seems that I had picked up many terrible habits using that damn chef knife... I couldn't stick a thing. I've been thinking about picking it up again, though...

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Daknjak

I have been into knives and swords for some time, and collect both. Throwing knives are just plain fun. Axes are the most fun. Throwing stars are good practice as well. The throw is the same. Unlike the movies show you, the best way to throw a star is not sidearm, it is over the head like knife throwing. Sidearm gives you no power behind the throw. Great post by the way. I feel all manly now. Lets all go throw sharp heavy things!!

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cdwonderful

" I didn't think i came across as a knife making freak"

Dude, I gotta tell ya. I kinda like knife making freak.
It's got a ring........

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Paq

hehe, thanks

after 4 months, my hand is healed enough so that i can actually throw again. I'm thinking of making some nicer knives to see what i can come up with.

Anyone have any suggestions?

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Azrael

cool thread, I have some throwing knifes as well. But I have never really got very good with them. Perhaps now with this new found advise, I will have more luck. Thanks a million. !

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