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Throwing Knives. Guest Blog - Wildtide
Throwing Knives – Like Darts But Even Manlier
Why should Ninjas have all the fun?
That’s what I was thinking as I ordered these throwing knives over at the Knife Warehouse. I had never thrown a knife before, the closest I’d even come to it was dropping a butter knife when spreading delicious jam on my toast! So for just over a tenner, these sharp and pointy fellows seemed well worth it. The next weekend after their arrival, a friend and I met up to test out our Kung-Fu Ninja skills.
He had a tree which was soon to be felled so this became our unfortunate victim. (We definitely wouldn’t have done this unless the tree was about to be fire wood. You should not throw knives or hurt trees. They have feelings too, don’t harm them – hug them).
It turns out throwing knives isn’t as easy as the black clad stealth masters make it look. Well actually the throwing is a piece of cake, it’s the getting it to stick part which is a little tricky. You need to work out how much spin you need to put on the throw so they land pointy side first.
After not very long we had the technique down and lots of our throws were sticking. I will say that you’ve gotta be pretty careful, if the knife hits with the back end it can ricochet and fly back towards you (getting pretty close). The second danger we encountered was when the knife didn’t stick and dropped to the ground, because we were throwing the knifes in the woods some of them were quite difficult to spot and we nearly stood on a few of them. To be fair though, this was all because of our inexperience and due to throwing them in probably not the most sensible place.
I’m not sure if we would be particularly good ninjas but we definitely had a lot of fun. Towards the end we got quite competitive and started doing best of five style games. The knives I bought are really well designed, perfectly balanced and look really cool. Styled in black and with a protective sheath included, they are definitely a good buy.
These may tickle your fancy:
A Guide to a Couple of the Different Types of Knives
Airsoft Guns – Fun For All AgesWednesday, 13 March 2013
Pocket Knives, Essential Tools, 1000's of Uses
A pocket knife is a folding knife with one or more blades that fit inside the handle that can still fit in a pocket. Despite the bad publicity due to the level of knife crime, knives are truly essential pieces of kit. Only a tiny minority of people who own a knife have any intention of hurting anyone. Most knife crime is committed using common kitchen knives found in every home. Pocket knives are tools which can be used for hundreds of tasks & jobs. Knives in general have of course been used for thousands of years. The folding pocket knife was created by first century Romans.
For an outdoorsman, solider, camper or even a boy scout, their knife is their number one survival tool, the one thing they should not be without. In the great outdoors your knife enables you to build shelter, set traps, gut fish, prepare food, cut through foliage, ropes, hunt, and defend yourself. It is a tool providing you with all the basics needed for survival.
If you have a multi-tool knife then the functions, jobs & tasks you can perform become almost endless. Many knives come equipped with all manner of gadgets. Screwdrivers, tin openers, saws, scissors, magnifying glass, tweezers, file, wire cutter, pliers, corkscrew, torch, barometer, compass, you name it, they've put it on a knife! Where would Ray Mears be without a blade? Well he'd probably knock one up out of a branch, a bit of stone and some vines. A pocket knife does not need to have all these fancy tools to be effective. A simple strong blade should suffice for most tasks you undertake.
The uses of a quality knife are not limited to the outdoors though. I personally use a knife everyday for one thing or another and I am in town. A knife does the trick for hundreds of tricky little jobs around the house, the garden and on the car. A knife has helped me dismantle and break a wide range of household goods. Simple jobs like changing a fuse, stripping an electrical lead down, opening up letters, parcels and that horrible plastic blister packaging.
You never know when you'll need to turn MacGyver and knock up a life saving gadget using your trusted blade, so be prepared. Knives are of course weapons, but they are also essential tools. I was given a pocket knife from my Father when I was a young boy and I have never hurt anyone with a knife (other than myself). If you are lucky enough to be given a multi-tool pocket knife do not open out every tool in one go, you are bound to cut yourself!
It is illegal to carry a bladed instrument in public in the United Kingdom without a good reason (e.g. being a farmer, going hunting or fishing). An exception for pocket knives is in place however. If the blade is less than 3" in length and the blade does not lock it is legal. For more detailed information on the law surrounding knives, swords, crossbows, air soft weapons & offensive weapons please visit my website www.knifewarehouse.co.uk where you will find everything you need to know. There is also a wide range of pocket knives, hunting knives, & throwing knives.
For an outdoorsman, solider, camper or even a boy scout, their knife is their number one survival tool, the one thing they should not be without. In the great outdoors your knife enables you to build shelter, set traps, gut fish, prepare food, cut through foliage, ropes, hunt, and defend yourself. It is a tool providing you with all the basics needed for survival.
If you have a multi-tool knife then the functions, jobs & tasks you can perform become almost endless. Many knives come equipped with all manner of gadgets. Screwdrivers, tin openers, saws, scissors, magnifying glass, tweezers, file, wire cutter, pliers, corkscrew, torch, barometer, compass, you name it, they've put it on a knife! Where would Ray Mears be without a blade? Well he'd probably knock one up out of a branch, a bit of stone and some vines. A pocket knife does not need to have all these fancy tools to be effective. A simple strong blade should suffice for most tasks you undertake.
The uses of a quality knife are not limited to the outdoors though. I personally use a knife everyday for one thing or another and I am in town. A knife does the trick for hundreds of tricky little jobs around the house, the garden and on the car. A knife has helped me dismantle and break a wide range of household goods. Simple jobs like changing a fuse, stripping an electrical lead down, opening up letters, parcels and that horrible plastic blister packaging.
You never know when you'll need to turn MacGyver and knock up a life saving gadget using your trusted blade, so be prepared. Knives are of course weapons, but they are also essential tools. I was given a pocket knife from my Father when I was a young boy and I have never hurt anyone with a knife (other than myself). If you are lucky enough to be given a multi-tool pocket knife do not open out every tool in one go, you are bound to cut yourself!
It is illegal to carry a bladed instrument in public in the United Kingdom without a good reason (e.g. being a farmer, going hunting or fishing). An exception for pocket knives is in place however. If the blade is less than 3" in length and the blade does not lock it is legal. For more detailed information on the law surrounding knives, swords, crossbows, air soft weapons & offensive weapons please visit my website www.knifewarehouse.co.uk where you will find everything you need to know. There is also a wide range of pocket knives, hunting knives, & throwing knives.
Friday, 23 November 2012
Throwing Knife Techniques
Throwing knives is an art, it is a sport and it is also a combat skill. But for most people throwing knives is a fun past time and something very enjoyable to master. He's a basic guide to knife throwing.
The proper throwing grip is with the blunt edge toward the palm, the point lying near the base of the thumb, the thumb lying flat on the blade, pointing toward the helt. The fingertips grip in a row on the opposite flat of the blade. If this sounds confusing, consult illustrations # 1 and 2.
Holding the knife by its point with thumb and forefinger, a grip that is necessary with double-edged blades for obvious reasons (See illustration #3), results in a total lack of power for all but the heaviest knives. In a serious situation a light knife thrown like this might make an opponent mad enough to really hurt you!
We have all seen fantastic long-distance throws in scenes from films and on television. These, of course, are another myth. Around fifteen feet would be the maximum range for good control. Beyond this, point first impact is a matter of luck. Also, because of air resistance and the necessary adjustment in throwing force for control, much power is lost at the longer ranges.
Between you and the target, a knife should make exactly one half turn. This half-turn is controlled by two factors: Angle of release and force of throw. Balancing these two elements is the thing that will require the most practice. At maximum range the release angle should actually be no angle at all, the knife horizontal, handle pointed straight at the target. As the distance decreases, the angle should increase. At very close range, the handle at release point might be vertical or perhaps actually pointing toward the rear. See illustrations #4,5,& 6.
You might think that the horizontal release would give a quicker turn-over, since the elevated angle requires 1/4 to 1/2 more turn, but it doesn't work out that way for one good reason: Air resistance. With the horizontal release there is very little of it and the knife travels handle-first for a longer distance before starting to turn. With the angled release both the air resistance and the wrist action help to start the turn earlier.
Force of throw also has a direct effect on the turn-over, in an obvious manner. The shorter time a knife is in the air, the less time to turn. Therefore a powerful throw at very close range is difficult to achieve. I prefer to always throw with as much force as possible and to adjust the release angle to the distance.
Quite a bit of body action is necessary for a powerful throw. Assuming that you are right-handed, start with your weight on the right foot, arm drawn-back past the right ear, the knife vertical, handle pointed downward. While snapping the arm forward to a straight, extended position, take a long step with the left leg toward the target, leaning forward and transferring the weight to the left leg. Let the throwing arm "follow through", the hand lightly striking the left leg near the knee. See illustrations # 7 & 8.
My own pre-throw stance is fairly ridiculous-looking, as I balance for a moment on the right leg, the left foot slightly off the ground. Since artist Roy Pelz couldn't keep from laughing long enough to sketch it, we have omitted this illustration. Anyhow, perhaps it's better that you find your own most effective and comfortable position.
The gymnastics of the throw may occasionally evince a snicker from some onlookers, but their derisive chuckles will likely cease when they see your knife quivering in the target. If not, you can always comment, as you work the blade loose from a two-inch penetration, that you haven't tried any live targets lately.
Unfortunately, there are no "tricks" that I can pass along which will make you an instant expert at knife throwing. That critical balance between release angle and throwing force can only be attained by persistent practice with a suitable knife. Once you have mastered a particular knife, don't assume that you can do as well with any other knife. Your basic skill will be an advantage, but you'll find that each knife has its own throwing characteristics. Well, good luck and do not be discouraged if your first few dozen throws land handle first! Keep trying.
The proper throwing grip is with the blunt edge toward the palm, the point lying near the base of the thumb, the thumb lying flat on the blade, pointing toward the helt. The fingertips grip in a row on the opposite flat of the blade. If this sounds confusing, consult illustrations # 1 and 2.
Holding the knife by its point with thumb and forefinger, a grip that is necessary with double-edged blades for obvious reasons (See illustration #3), results in a total lack of power for all but the heaviest knives. In a serious situation a light knife thrown like this might make an opponent mad enough to really hurt you!
We have all seen fantastic long-distance throws in scenes from films and on television. These, of course, are another myth. Around fifteen feet would be the maximum range for good control. Beyond this, point first impact is a matter of luck. Also, because of air resistance and the necessary adjustment in throwing force for control, much power is lost at the longer ranges.
Between you and the target, a knife should make exactly one half turn. This half-turn is controlled by two factors: Angle of release and force of throw. Balancing these two elements is the thing that will require the most practice. At maximum range the release angle should actually be no angle at all, the knife horizontal, handle pointed straight at the target. As the distance decreases, the angle should increase. At very close range, the handle at release point might be vertical or perhaps actually pointing toward the rear. See illustrations #4,5,& 6.
You might think that the horizontal release would give a quicker turn-over, since the elevated angle requires 1/4 to 1/2 more turn, but it doesn't work out that way for one good reason: Air resistance. With the horizontal release there is very little of it and the knife travels handle-first for a longer distance before starting to turn. With the angled release both the air resistance and the wrist action help to start the turn earlier.
Force of throw also has a direct effect on the turn-over, in an obvious manner. The shorter time a knife is in the air, the less time to turn. Therefore a powerful throw at very close range is difficult to achieve. I prefer to always throw with as much force as possible and to adjust the release angle to the distance.
Quite a bit of body action is necessary for a powerful throw. Assuming that you are right-handed, start with your weight on the right foot, arm drawn-back past the right ear, the knife vertical, handle pointed downward. While snapping the arm forward to a straight, extended position, take a long step with the left leg toward the target, leaning forward and transferring the weight to the left leg. Let the throwing arm "follow through", the hand lightly striking the left leg near the knee. See illustrations # 7 & 8.
My own pre-throw stance is fairly ridiculous-looking, as I balance for a moment on the right leg, the left foot slightly off the ground. Since artist Roy Pelz couldn't keep from laughing long enough to sketch it, we have omitted this illustration. Anyhow, perhaps it's better that you find your own most effective and comfortable position.
The gymnastics of the throw may occasionally evince a snicker from some onlookers, but their derisive chuckles will likely cease when they see your knife quivering in the target. If not, you can always comment, as you work the blade loose from a two-inch penetration, that you haven't tried any live targets lately.
Unfortunately, there are no "tricks" that I can pass along which will make you an instant expert at knife throwing. That critical balance between release angle and throwing force can only be attained by persistent practice with a suitable knife. Once you have mastered a particular knife, don't assume that you can do as well with any other knife. Your basic skill will be an advantage, but you'll find that each knife has its own throwing characteristics. Well, good luck and do not be discouraged if your first few dozen throws land handle first! Keep trying.
| Two views of the proper grip for throwing a single-edged knife: 1. the full length of the thumb, |  |
| 2. three fingers on the blade. |  |
| 3. The proper grip for throwing a double-edged knife. With this hold, not as much power can be delivered. | 
|
| The three release points- 4. is close range. Released from this angle, turn-over will occur more rapidly. |  |
| 5. is medium range. |  |
| 6. Long-range release point. With knife released horizontally, it will travel for some distance handle first before starting turn-over. This is also the maximum power throw. |  |
| 7. Body and arm position at moment of release.
8. Follow through. With a hard throw, hand should end by lightly striking the left knee. |
 |
A great range of throwing knives are available at Knifewarehouse
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