I got my chakram in the mail today. It was actually a little bigger and sharper than I'd imagined when I bought it. The thing came with a pretty sharp edge which impressed me. I quickly realized how careful I'd have to be while throwing it, and I decided to do just what everyone recommended and throw it like a knife to begin with.
I warmed up with one of my Cold Steel's, and then I pounced on the Chakram. I started at 12 feet thinking that would be a good starting distance. The first throw landed exactly where I was aiming, but the circle of steel just bounced off. I took a look at where it hit, and there was a "line" in the wood, but it didn't stick. Harder, I thought, so I pulled back and threw it with more force. It bounced again. Harder, I thought, and I pulled back and threw it harder, and it stuck. However, as I walked to the board, it fell to the ground. Now, for a knife thrower, I throw pretty hard sometimes. It's nothing for my Cold Steel to penetrate the 1.25" treated board about 2-3" in the back when I want it to.
I kept throwing it hard, but I could never get it to stick. Always, it left a gash in the wood but no stick! I then started experimenting and threw it like a frisbee, then across my body, and then finger-twirled it overhead and slung it at the wood (that's pretty darn effective too, mind you).
Here's what I found out:
1. You can be very accurate with this thing;
2. It is razor sharp -- so sharp that I don't think it can "dig" deep into the wood;
3. My heavy target (perfect for knives) has too much "bounce" for the chakram. I think it would stick better were my target mounted solidly against something instead of leaning a bit against a wall. I think it would also stick well in a stump target too.
4. I have no doubt this thing could cut fruit with ease on a throw. I also have no doubt that it could slice up an enemy pretty bad if it makes skin contact. I'm not thinking it would do so well against armor, though, even leather armor;
5. The edge is so thin that it had a lot of burs and divots in it. I'm gong to have to grind it to a thicker edge for more hardcore throwing.
Sorry I don't have pics yet. I'm still trying to figure out my wife's new camera.