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
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