Designing fake throwing knives

[Joe12]

I am in the process of designing for a fake knife throwing act, and thought it would be wise to float some ideas about the knife itself here.

It will function roughly like the knife throwing act that Lucy accidentally volunteers for in the "I Love Lucy" show. I Love Lucy - Knife throwing act . The performer pretends to throw the knives at the target, where Lucy is standing. Then a mechanism behind the target pushes pushes a knife through. I even plan to incorporate a spinning target like Daniel Mink (Rhinestone Roper) does.

I think the following features are desirable;
1) It should be fairly flat so that it doesn't require much of an opening in the target to be pushed through. Most throwing acts tend to use low profile knives, though I don't know why.
2) Good grip. The most important thin is to NOT throw it.
3) The blade should be dull.
4) I would like it to be somewhat fancy.... this is all about showmanship.
a) But, also fairly cheap to make. I will have the metal laser cut, or waterjet cut.
b) The shape should not catch on clothing, such as puffy sleeves.
5) In spite of saying it won't be thrown, I am considering the possibility that the first 1 or 2 knives will be thrown at the target, before the assistant stands in front of it. Perhaps use aluminum for the non-thrown ones because it will be easier to handle while hiding it. Then stainless steel for the ones that are actually thrown to make it heavier, since that may make it easier to stick in the wood. Am I correct about that? Can both versions be polished to look the same?

Regarding how the thrower gets rid of the knife... Since the audience's eyes will be directed at the target once the knife is apparently thrown, the method of hiding and then getting rid of the knife is not that important. Though, here is one clip showing one method. Fake Knife Throwing Note that you can go frame-by-frame after you pause it, and using the , and . keys. In this case, the thrower simply holds onto the knife beyond the normal release point, and, and brings it down by his side. And in the video example, simply places the knife in the container. Though, I am wondering if there is anything I can do with the knife design, to improve on this.

I wonder if there is a knife design that would facilitate spinning the knife, while following through on the throw to take it into the position shown below. Oops... can't upload pictures here.
But, the goal is to change from a standard (or near-standard) grip, to where the knife is turned 180 deg, and the blade is close to the forearm. Note that the back of the hand would be towards the audience and a slightly puffy sleeve could hid the knife.

Any ideas on the above?

-Joe Dunfee

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I did a bit of magic many years ago. I believe you are overthinking this. It is the same principle as any hand magic - misdirection.
As the Lucy video shows, the trick is pretty simple. The misdirection of the observers attention is focused on the target as soon as the thrower reaches the fake throw. The girl screaming just as the fake throw is done really makes the attention shift. The thrower could probably stick it in his back pocket and no one would see.

1) I would suggest all of them be made from aluminum. The real throwers can be thicker for more weight. Something like 6061-T6 or 7075-T6 should work fine. However, stainless real throwers and an aluminum fake will work fine. Just brush finish them at a fine grit. The audience will not notice that the third knife used is slightly different.
2) Handles should be minimal in thickness ... just painted or anodized black. Throwing knives do not have big handles, if they have any at all.
3) No need for spinning the knife in the hand. As in the video, just complete the arm rotation and set the knife in the box you took it out of. It would look worse to turn the knife along the forearm as you dispose of it. That would also place the knife backwards in the box for the next pick-up.
4) The "box of knives" on the table is the easiest hide and reveal. Set the real throwing knives to the left so the thrower can throw them. Set the single fake thrower to the right for the rest of the fake throws.
5) If you wanted a simpler hide and reveal for the knives:
The thrower wears a long and loose coat. The coat should have very large and deep pockets with no flaps on both sides. The right side pocket is divided into two parts. The pockets should be fairly low to allow easily reaching into them. The pockets are where he pulls the knives from.
Put the real throwers in the forward pocket, the fake in the back one. Take them out one at a time and throw them for the demo. When ready for the fake throws, reach into the pocket and pull out the single fake throw knife. As you complete the fake throw, simply slide it back into the pocket. Take it out again each fake throw as many times as needed. The endless pocket full of knives is a great gag.
6) Continuity of the switching attention is what makes the viewer think something is real. Make the device that pushes the knives through the target also triggers a speaker in the target with a loud sound of a real knives hitting the target. The synchronized and possibly exaggerated "whack" will also help divert the viewers attention as the thrower returns the knife to his pocket or the box.

 

[DocJD]

5) In spite of saying it won't be thrown, I am considering the possibility that the first 1 or 2 knives will be thrown at the target, before the assistant stands in front of it. Perhaps use aluminum for the non-thrown ones because it will be easier to handle while hiding it. Then stainless steel for the ones that are actually thrown to make it heavier, since that may make it easier to stick in the wood. Am I correct about that? Can both versions be polished to look the same?

This part sounds a bit sketchy to me . Dangerous even .

I'd be very careful here .

I'm doubtful you can make a safe fake actual thrower , that will stick with authority .

It has to be somewhat sharp and have some weight . Not easy to make this a safe stage prop , IMO .