I do have some stumps that are so hard that I threw a carbon steel knife and bent the very tip 90 degrees. (a pretty heavy duty knife I have literally bounced off of concrete, and the hardened poll of a hawk, with less damage than that wood did. It would also bounce a perfect bit first hit on a 2 lb throwing hawk, without marking at all. So it is way to hard). Some of the wood I have is so hard, it will bounce my maul 20 or so times before finally splitting.
Unless it is super hard, you will likely be fine.
Also, you might want to buy the book on no spin throwing or the video by Ralf E Thorn.
Very neat stuff, and really, you can learn the basics very quickly and start getting consistent sticks.
If you are just beginning just try to pay attention to what part of the knife is hitting the target. Lots of beginners think you need to try to control the spin. What you really do is throw consistantly. Just a natural throw, with a consistant movement and release. If you are not getting sticks, don't try to change your throw or spin. Just move back ward or forward in 1/2 step incriments until you start sticking. The distances where you will stick will be dependant on length and weight of the knife, and what the natural rotation is on your throw.
It is probably the most enjoyable hobby. Outside, exercise, etc.
You might also want to get a few Cold Steel hawks for throwing (inexpensive, will last a life time, just replace the handles when you break them ever once in a while).
For the record, throwing hawks is much easier. You can turn the bit either facing forward or backward and get 2x as many sticks. They rotate slower, so are much easier to figure out.
I still throw both, and even full sized axes (I have a 6 lb battle axe with a hammer and bit that I throw as well for real fun!)
The most important thing is to post pics and video's. As this sub forum tends to be a bit slow!
I will now practice what I preach (with the pics).
here is one of my targets. Those are 4x4's and the shorter boards are about 7' I think. This target lasted about 3 months. Now there are big holes through it. I think next time I will either actually mount one of my rounds or make the next target out of 6x8's.
That big axe is a CS poll axe mounted on a pick handle I whittled down to fit the socket. Hits like a beast. Those smaller hawks are full sized hawks wiht 19 inch handles.
Here is a vid with a knife and hawk throw. If I remember correctly this distance is about 20 or so feet out (according to the tape measure).
The knife is an old cold steel GI tanto (not the pervect thrower, but it sure has held up forever. I would like the same steel, about 2x as thick, with about an additional 8 inches of blade lenght ( think it is 6 or so inch blade).
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Here is another a bit further out. Bit forward this time (previous throw was bit reverse)
Here is a handle hold throw with a FBMLE (Busse Combat). The knife has a .32 thick 10 inch blade. So it hits hard.
Here the same knife further out, with a blade hold.
This one is about 50 feet with the rifleman hawk.
Unfortunately, I have not made any video's of no spin throwing, or throwing 4 or 5 in a row yet. Kind of have to talk the wife into filming. She thinks it is boring.
Also, to those who have seen these old vids before, sorry.
As for learning how to throw....i would offer that the release is your most important part. The release has to be the same everytime. I find that if you "TRY" to "spin" the knife you will not be able to did it consistantly (with different knives or distances), learning to let the knife slide out of your hand toward the target is the key. Happy to help if i can....
