Knife throwing is an ancient sport with a history that can be traced back thousands of years. In contrast to more modern military customs, such as slapping challenge coins onto a bar, warriors of all types have been throwing knives through the air in combat, at backyard targets, and everywhere else, which further adds to the honor and tradition associated with the practice.
When most people hear the term “throwing knives,” their first thought is likely to be of throwing knives. However, there are actually several types of throwing knives, each of which has distinct characteristics and uses that set it apart from the others. This article introduces readers to the world of throwing knives and provides information on some of the best products available in this category. It is intended for readers who want to improve their hold on their knives or investigate new uses for them.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Throwing Knife
Before you go out and buy a new throwing knife, there are a few things you need to remember to keep in mind while you are on the hunt for one. The three most important factors to take into consideration are the item’s weight, its length, and its contour.
Weight
Because a good thrower needs to be able to move their arm quickly and smoothly, they will want to avoid carrying as much extra weight as they possibly can. When trying to execute a perfect throw, having a knife that is too heavy will make it difficult for them to do so. On the other hand, if the knife is too light, it won’t feel sturdy enough to use and it will be easy for it to slip in their hand or fall out of their grip if they are engaged in combat with another person.
Thankfully, the majority of knives made in modern times weigh between 8 and 12 ounces. This size range provides a good deal of strength while keeping the weight to a minimum that is necessary.
Length
Your forearm length is measured from the inside of your elbow to the very tip of your thumb when you make a fist with both hands. Longer forearms typically result in a more powerful swing when using a throwing knife or an axe; however, they are more taxing on the shoulders and can cause other injuries as well. Because, on average, men have longer arms than women do, products marketed toward men, such as hammers, typically have larger handles that are designed to better accommodate the size and shape of men’s hands.
However, women continue to reap the benefits of using these tools; one need only look at the number of female characters in popular fiction who wield an axe to see this.
Shape
Knife manufacturers typically offer their products with one of two fundamental profiles, either a straight or curved blade.
- The handles of knives with straight blades are typically rectangular in shape, and each of the four corners is molded with a firm plastic or rubber grip. Although they don’t offer much in the way of comfort, these handles do a good job of preventing slippage.
- Knives with curved blades typically have round handles and do not include any additional grip features. Even though they are designed in a way that is generally considered to be more ergonomic, this does not necessarily translate into improved usability.
Comfort Features
Some knives, in addition to coming in a variety of shapes, also include cushioned soft material within the handle, which serves to further protect the user’s fingers. The angle of the handle on some models can be adjusted by the user so that it is either parallel to the ground or angled upward toward the sky. This allows the user to find the position that is most comfortable for them.
Versatility
One of the advantages of investing in a throwing knife of good quality is that it can serve a variety of purposes. For example, you can use it as both a general-purpose tool for cutting and chopping and a hunting/fishing pole saw for striking through thick branches or slicing through thin tree trunks. It can also be used as a tool for general purpose cutting and chopping.
A good throwing knife may serve you well for decades, depending on how well it was made, but it will certainly serve you for years to come if it is of sufficient quality. Just keep in mind that it needs to be maintained properly by being cleaned and oiled on a regular basis.
Types Of Throwing Knives
There is a wide variety of each type of throwing knife, and it is essential that you know which one you need for your next throw in order to be successful. Here are a few illustrations:
Blade Throwing Knives
These are the most common type of throwing knife because they’re very light and easy to carry around. They also have a long history as military weapons, so there are many styles that can be traced back to ancient times. The blade is usually made out of steel with a high carbon content (for better toughness), although other metals such as titanium or aluminum exist too.
The design typically features a straight spine all the way through the blade until near the tip, where the sharp edge meets the cutting edge. This allows for more control over the flight path of the knife after release. In addition to this, the lack of any bulky locking mechanism makes these blades easier to conceal when not in use. A typical blade throwing knife has an overall length between 9 and 14 inches, though there are many exceptions that are both longer and shorter than this.
Bow Throwing Knives
These bow-style throwing knives look like a bow but instead of using arrows, you shoot them by pulling a trigger on the handle. Bow throwing knives tend to be much heavier due to the need for extra weight at the end of the shaft to provide enough force to launch the knife. These are great for beginners looking to develop their throwing skills because they require less precision and allow for more error. If you miss, you just have to get the next shot right.
Some people even choose to only use bow throwing knives when learning how to properly throw a knife. It takes a lot of practice to become proficient at throwing a knife and being able to rely on something else if you miss helps tremendously. Finally, we have spear throwing knives. This is another option for those who want to improve their accuracy while developing their throwing skills.
A spear throwing knife isn’t designed to travel far; instead, its primary function is to pierce whatever it comes into contact with. Since spears don’t normally break easily, these knives are relatively durable and will hold up well against heavy use. Spear throwing knives are legal in most places and are used in combat sports like karate, taekwondo, and jiu jitsu. However, keep in mind that since these are combat weapons, they are not suitable for children under 16 years old.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
To begin, we looked for throwing knives that met the requirements of having a fixed blade, being made of durable stainless steel, and having ergonomics that were satisfactory. After that, we limited our search to items that had some kind of locking mechanism.
From there, we looked for knives that could be folded up into a smaller size or had multiple folding mechanisms. This is because we are aware that many consumers prefer wallets that are not only thin and lightweight but also have sufficient space for identification cards and cash.
As a final step, we investigated which product others working in the hiking industry consider to be “the best” overall pick, based on the level of satisfaction reported by customers. We looked through over 30 different throwing knife sets to find the one that offered the best value overall.
Frequently Asked Questions About Throwing Knives
How do you throw a knife?
The best way to learn how to properly and safely throw a knife is by watching someone who knows what they’re doing. However, there are several methods for learning the proper technique.
What grip should I use when throwing a knife?
When picking up a thrown knife, your grip will determine whether it goes forward or back in your hand. If you can keep it at an angle of 45 degrees or less from your body while still able to make solid contact with the target, then you’ll be using a strong enough grip to avoid injury if you fall during training.
Are there any drawbacks to using a throwing knife as a weapon?
Using a throwing knife as a self-defense tool comes with many advantages. The main drawback is that they lack range, so you’ll need to get very close to your attacker before they can even begin to consider moving out of the way.