How do i throw a tom and make it stick?

B

Backwoods_VT

Joined
Mar 27, 2006
Messages
142
Ive been playing with a tom for a few days now, but when i throw it at a tree, it doesnt always stick; sometimes the handle hits instead of the head. Are you suposed to throw them hard? Does anyone know of a good web site to go on to learn how to throw.
 
You throw the knife fairly close to determine how far it takes to hit on one revolution. You use this to figure out at what distances it will hit on more than one revolution. So for example if you hit on one revolution at 10 feet, then the two rotation distance is 2*(10-3)+3 = 17. The threes are to adjust for your arm length. The biggest challenge is getting the force and release consistent.

-Cliff
 
I'm sure not an expert on this but will give you my take. Cliff pretty much nailed it. When I think of throwing the hawk I tend to bounce it off the target......but when I think about 'tossing' it with a slight arc it almost sticks everytime. It is a matter of getting a 'feel' of your release at 15, 20, 50 paces. Don't try to throw too hard at first. Try to throw some daily till you get the feel at 15 paces, then slowly increase the distance. I am not a big fan of target throwing, I prefer to do it tactical like moving and throwing then throwing and moving. you might want to do this both up and down a slight slope to stimulate the interest. Try throwing with both hands for a change. That's about it the best way to throw a tomahawk is to get out and get with it. The 'Feel' is differerent for the individual.

Best
Dwight
 
Something else to remember is to not "flick" your wrist when throwing the tomahawk to add additional spin to the 'hawk. Keep your wrist "locked" and in-line with your forearm and just release the 'hawk with your fingers once it's at the proper aiming point (depending on how far away you are throwing it).
 
All good advice as far as i'm concerned.Especially the no wrist flicking.
Think of it like this, overhand chopping motion when your arm is level with the target lock your wrist and release the handle.You should feel the handle pulling itself out of your grip.Start off close too it helps and get some 2x10's or some tree stumps to throw at ,dont wreck a good tree for fun.
 
valimas said:
...get some 2x10's or some tree stumps to throw at ,dont wreck a good tree for fun.
Click to expand...
I concur. There isn't much better than a nice 2'+ diameter hunk of tree stump to hang up and throw at. However, I recommend 4x4s or 6x6s to screw together to throw at if you don't have a tree stump. That gives you plenty of wood to chip away at after hundreds of throws... wait... unless you meant to attach the 2x10's so the 2" sides are facing you... hmmm... that would take a lot of 2x10's though. haha
 
From my experience it's all about being consistent. Just throw until you figure how many revolutions you make, then can back it up or get closer just knowing how fast you throw, then can adjust speed and rotation. It's all about doing it, not sure any forumla is going to help you. Have fun.

:D
 
Although it's a primer on knife throwing, Knife and Tomahawk Throwing by Harry K. McEvoy is also a good introduction to throwing the tomahawk. It can usually be found for less than $10 on Amazon.com. One interesting note:
McEvoy considers learning how to throw a tomahawk to be a good way to introduce yourself to throwing the knife.

Best,

Steve Lamade
 
FSCJedi said:
I concur. There isn't much better than a nice 2'+ diameter hunk of tree stump to hang up and throw at. However, I recommend 4x4s or 6x6s to screw together to throw at if you don't have a tree stump. That gives you plenty of wood to chip away at after hundreds of throws... wait... unless you meant to attach the 2x10's so the 2" sides are facing you... hmmm... that would take a lot of 2x10's though. haha
Click to expand...

The 6x6's are better off :o I blurted out 2x10's because that's what i'm always throwing into,but they are replaceable panels on a big wall.Now that i think about it,they wouldnt last more than a couple of throws by them self.
 
Yes its practice with observation . Sticking being the primary goal is crucial .

Consistancy is just as important . I would be more impressed by a guy who can make the handle hit the same way every time than a guy who sticks one in every tenth throw .

The guy hitting the handle everytime only needs to adjust his distance slightly and he will be sticking them every time .

Have fun , vary your targets , No pictures of the ex-wife and away you go .
 
It's a simple case of finding your distance and then being consistent in your throw. You throw like a pitcher throws a baseball...start over your right shoulder, step into it with your left foot, let if fly and follow through. After a few tries, you will find your distance and it will start sticking.

The best targets, IMHO, are tree slabs. When you see a public works crew taking down a large tree, you will see that they have slabbed the trunk into large "cookie" round slabs, sometimes as wide as 3 feet. If you ask nice, they will often give you one or two or more for free because that means they don't have to pick them up and haul them to the dump. These are the best throwing targets because you are throwing into "end grain". They don't split and shatter. They will last for years.
If you can't find a crew taking down a tree, go find a local firewood cutter and ask if he can get you one.
 
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