- Joined
- Jan 7, 2003
- Messages
- 2,373
I have a beat up 16 inch Tramontina machete that I was using to cut down weeds on my property. Just for fun I decided it was beat up enough to try to use as a throwing knife. My first few throws were quite dangerous, as I had no idea of the rotational distance. I was also throwing it from a conventional chopping grip. The curve of the blade would cause it to skip off the ground and cartwheel across the lawn. Do not do this!
Holding the machete in a reverse grip solved the problem. The proper grip is blade up as if you were going to strike with the back of the blade. This puts the point forward in the rotation making it stick much better. Place the lower rounded portion of the grip at the base of the palm indexing the pad of the thumb at the top rivet. The three fingers grip the back of the handle indexing on the center. The pinky is kept curled up into the palm.
I start my throw from the “low ready” position letting the machete hang by my side, left foot forward, body canted about 45 degrees to the target. I bring the blade up over my right shoulder in one fluid movement and throw. It is much like throwing a hatchet or tomahawk.
At a fixed distance of about 15 feet I’m hitting 95% of the time and I’ve only been at this for a few days.
Mistakes
Don’t twist your hand. The blade must slice cleanly through the air. If the wide blade catches wind it slows the rotation.
Don’t take your eye off the target until the blade strikes. Once I started consistently doing this my accuracy and hit percentage took a great leap forward.
Release consistently with follow-through but don’t drag the grip.
MISSES CAN BE UGLY! A machete has a very springy blade and it can bounce and cartwheel a long distance if you miss. A high brick wall behind the house above a grassy slope now backs my target. This has made it much safer to practice.
Other than fun I have no idea how useful this skill is. As acts of desperation go it is pretty satisfying to see seven inches of blade sunk into the target on a good throw.
Other than STOP the insanity, does anyone have any advice on my technique? Mac
Holding the machete in a reverse grip solved the problem. The proper grip is blade up as if you were going to strike with the back of the blade. This puts the point forward in the rotation making it stick much better. Place the lower rounded portion of the grip at the base of the palm indexing the pad of the thumb at the top rivet. The three fingers grip the back of the handle indexing on the center. The pinky is kept curled up into the palm.
I start my throw from the “low ready” position letting the machete hang by my side, left foot forward, body canted about 45 degrees to the target. I bring the blade up over my right shoulder in one fluid movement and throw. It is much like throwing a hatchet or tomahawk.
At a fixed distance of about 15 feet I’m hitting 95% of the time and I’ve only been at this for a few days.
Mistakes
Don’t twist your hand. The blade must slice cleanly through the air. If the wide blade catches wind it slows the rotation.
Don’t take your eye off the target until the blade strikes. Once I started consistently doing this my accuracy and hit percentage took a great leap forward.
Release consistently with follow-through but don’t drag the grip.
MISSES CAN BE UGLY! A machete has a very springy blade and it can bounce and cartwheel a long distance if you miss. A high brick wall behind the house above a grassy slope now backs my target. This has made it much safer to practice.
Other than fun I have no idea how useful this skill is. As acts of desperation go it is pretty satisfying to see seven inches of blade sunk into the target on a good throw.
Other than STOP the insanity, does anyone have any advice on my technique? Mac
