Help for a new guy?

Y

Yellowshaker

Joined
May 13, 2010
Messages
1
Hey everone, I have just recently discovered the no spin technique and would like to know anything helpful in the learning process. I already know that it takes practice, but I would be interested in any gripping techniques and releasing of the knives. I seem to be having trouble when I step further back than about 5 feet.
 
at first, you'll need a knife that is balanced, but heavier handle works best for me (based on my experience). if you bought some balanced throwing knives - as almost every throwing knives are made balanced, try knotting some thread on the handle.

when throwing with no spin technique, hammer grips works well on close range, but in middle range (3-5 meters) i prefer using ninja grip style as you can see here: MSR.

i used the exact techniques too (parabolic flight course), and since my blades are thin (more likely a bo-shurikens), there's no problem throwing it.
 
Search for "ralph thorn" on the Paladin Press website or "ralph thorn paladin" on youtube and you should find an 8 minute clip that shows some basics.
 
Well, Ralph, I watched the video and took my knives out to the yard to give it a shot. Out of maybe 200 throws I got three right. Most were quarter spins, but I think I squeezed out three actual no-spin throws.

If I bought all your videos at full retail, how much would that set me back?
 
Another day of disappointment. I'm having trouble not doing quarter spin. I feel like I'm putting backspin on the knife to straighten it out, but it almost never flies straight. It's just quarter spin.

I got about two or three throws right today. I'll probably take a break for a day or two, my shoulder's sore.
 
Some people call the no spin a quarter spin. The way that I do it I think it is probably closer to an eighth spin.

I think Paladin retails their dvd for 30 dollars; I sell the original self produced dvd myself for considerably less; and I imagine the big houses like amazon would discount the Paladin video.
 
Ralph , i also have tried the no spin method and could only get a few to do it. I also found them to be really weak. Assuming i can get it down..does it have the same penetration power i get from a regular throw?
 
I don't think there's any substitute for the hard, boring work of practice. THat's what it takes to be good. It sure ain't coming easy.

I'm gonna give it another go tomorrow, my shoulder seems to be recovering nicely. It's gonna be a good day tomorrow. I have an 18 mile bicycle ride, an hour of knife throwing, a couple hours with the new baby, maybe a dual sport ride, and fire up the grill for dinner.

The wife's baking fresh bread tomorrow, so maybe some grilled chicken sammies.

If I can squeeze it in, I might make a couple quarts of pickled eggs, too.
 
It took me a couple of weeks (maybe 20-30 hours total) and thousands of throws to really "master" Ralph's combat throwing technique. The video he referenced was how I learned and it provides a foundation for you to work from. I use the term "master" loosely; by "master", I mean to the point where I could consistantly stick knives from any distance up to about 20'.

A couple tips for those who are still working on it:
-Use a large knife, I started with a 7" knife, and while I learned to throw it, I should have started with a larger knife (12-13.5"). That would have cut quite a few hours off my learning time I'm sure.
-Use a relaxed grip to start. Its harder than it seems, your instinct is to hold onto the knife just a fraction too long for the technique to work. You have to develop a feeling for how early to release, but for me that point was much sooner than I was initially comfortable letting go of the knife.
-I like a smooth, flat handle spine for atleast 4", although I've been able to throw much smaller than that. A large heavy knife, with a good flat handle (no crazy bumps or designs) of about 4" is my sweet spot.
-When you are just starting, throw it slow. Someone mentioned penetration being dismal. Well that won't last once you get the hang of it... Once you get the technique down (wrist, arm, grip), you will be able to start throwing it harder and you will be able to drive a big heavy knife really deep (so deep its hard to remove...).

Don't give up on this technique, its so useful once you get the hang of it you will be hooked on it.

These are just a few suggestions, Ralph is the real master.
 
To the person who asked about power:

My technique gives much more power once it is learned, maybe even twice as much. There should be demonstrations somewhere on youtube that will show this.

To the person who had the tips for learning the no spin: every one of them is correct and something I have told people many times, but everyone has to figure things out for themselves as they go...

RT
 
I'm a shuriken guy and have been throwing smaller spikes using more traditional Japanese no spin methods for the past year or so. I recently made some larger Mumyou Ryu style spikes and a couple knives, now I'm using methods like Ralph Thorn's and Hozan Suzuki's (not the same but similar). I have to say I'm having a lot of trouble getting power in my throws. the knives and spikes I made are well balanced and I can get them to stick fairly consistently but it does seem like its going to take quite a bit of practice before I can really throw hard and maintain control of the tip. watching ralph throw is pretty awesome, he gets some serious power behind his blades.

I can throw hard with smaller darts using traditional no spin methods like Meifu-Shinkage ryu or Negeshi Ryu where you let the blade slide out of your hand and brush the end of the spike with your fingertips to slow the spin. but this method doesn't work well on knives or the larger mumyou ryu darts. I'm kinda having to re teach myself how to throw.

either way its a lot of fun, I'll get it down one of these days.
 
One thing to go along with grip; I usually begin to release the knife right when it is about the same height as my head. This will feel extremely unnatural especially if you play a sport that has thrown balls. the trick is to have a really loose grip while keeping a good pressure on the spine of the blade. That's where a good part of the power and accuracy is coming from (the rest being in the arm's motion)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top