This might be a little long and possibly boring for the seasoned throwers, so grab some snacks, coffee, beer, or whatever you like, and hopefully youll find this a little entertaining, and informative if youre new at this like I am.
So I thought Id post how I got started target wise just about 1-1/2 months ago when I didnt even really know how to hold and release knives correctly or consistently, but knew I wanted to stick them into something. As I posted in Renaissance-reborns thread on "a basic log round target", I started with a large irregular round log I got from a buddy, and kept modifying my target to suit my needs and functionality.
So here is the evolution of my (newbs) throwing target/s in all it's glory. (with obligatory pics of course)
Week 1-2:
I started with a irregular log round shape little less that 2 in dia. Just setting in my dilapidated fire wood shed structure. Seems like a bit on the large side for a log, but I cant afford to miss in a small city lot with nosey neighbors (all sides) all worked up as it is..lol Needless to say, I was happy as pie to start sticking consistently with the occasional CLANG. I learned the pitfalls of different lengths and weights being thrown at different distances pretty quickly.
Week 2-3:
During week 2, I was throwing more often having great success with 1/2 spins, and trying some full spins, 1-1/2 spins at greater distances, and found when I missed I was hitting the support boards of the dilapidated wood shed structure, and just the thudding of heavier knives like 1 lb. plus was shaking it apart. Thus it was time for a new target. I searched the internet for how-tos on building throwing knife targets and came up with a slightly modded version of a quick and easy one made up of 2 x 8s and 1 x 4s with finished dims of 29 across by 6 tall. Man this was the thing. Just lean it up against the fire wood thingy and no probs, or so I thought . Looks nice, but .
Week 3-4:
As mentioned the new board target looks nice, is bigger, and harder to miss (actually only missed one lob over the top) throwing at, but just after a week or so (slow throwing week at that) I realized the larger knives Im throwing (meaning I saw many vids with new folks throwing smaller less damaging blades) are really tearing up the pine boards.. . well seemed like a good idea at the time.. But wait, I could mount the oversized log round on the board target So I looked at multiple options, but needed to remove it for moving around, taking down at night etc.. so I made (2) 2 x 4 ledges that hold the log in place on the board, and the board angle and log weight hold it quite well Problem solved and target improved right Well not quite arrgh
Seems that the extra weight of the log along with the pounding thuds of 15-18 oz. Cold Steel knives was vibrating through the target and once again beating up my dilapidated wood shed structure. (It will be emptied this fall with some nice camp fires, and then torn down for rebuild.. yes stronger) Im getting closer to something better Hopefully.
Finally Week 5:
By now Im actually sore in the elbow forearm tendon area, so I take a couple days off throwing to figure this target thing out once and for all.. (ya right, I know) But humor me So realizing I need a back stand for my target board, and seeing my accuracy and consistency had improved a lot from when I started, I was going to make multiple improvements on my target. I posted on the forum asking about the use of lower (close to the ground targets), and Bobby B. replied about the additional skill and improvements throwing at different heights, so I was going to add lower points as well. I checked with my buddy who had supplied me with the original log round, and he said he had another nearly identical. I was all over that and had it home within an hour after we hung up.
Now I had decided to make a simple 2 x 4 frame, hinged to the back of the target board, and a light chain at the bottom to stop/adjust the board to the angle desired and not have it slide out. I also added another set of 2 x 4 ledges for the second log round (irregular shaped as it may be) and topped it off with spray painted 6 black bullseyes, 7 in total, so I can concentrate on accuracy at multiple heights and side to side. Also, as built, I can quickly take it down (to a degree) for yard work, moving it, etc..
So after a lot of trial and error, I think I have it the way its going to stay . at least for a while. I learned a lot about throwing different knives at different targets/surfaces, obviously improved my own accuracy and consistency in throwing different knives, and am actually glad my earlier target versions needed improvement.
Oh yeah, Ill quit jawing or writing and just show you below
Thanks for reading, and I hope you found it entertaining and maybe helpful for some!
- Mark
So I thought Id post how I got started target wise just about 1-1/2 months ago when I didnt even really know how to hold and release knives correctly or consistently, but knew I wanted to stick them into something. As I posted in Renaissance-reborns thread on "a basic log round target", I started with a large irregular round log I got from a buddy, and kept modifying my target to suit my needs and functionality.
So here is the evolution of my (newbs) throwing target/s in all it's glory. (with obligatory pics of course)
Week 1-2:
I started with a irregular log round shape little less that 2 in dia. Just setting in my dilapidated fire wood shed structure. Seems like a bit on the large side for a log, but I cant afford to miss in a small city lot with nosey neighbors (all sides) all worked up as it is..lol Needless to say, I was happy as pie to start sticking consistently with the occasional CLANG. I learned the pitfalls of different lengths and weights being thrown at different distances pretty quickly.
Week 2-3:
During week 2, I was throwing more often having great success with 1/2 spins, and trying some full spins, 1-1/2 spins at greater distances, and found when I missed I was hitting the support boards of the dilapidated wood shed structure, and just the thudding of heavier knives like 1 lb. plus was shaking it apart. Thus it was time for a new target. I searched the internet for how-tos on building throwing knife targets and came up with a slightly modded version of a quick and easy one made up of 2 x 8s and 1 x 4s with finished dims of 29 across by 6 tall. Man this was the thing. Just lean it up against the fire wood thingy and no probs, or so I thought . Looks nice, but .
Week 3-4:
As mentioned the new board target looks nice, is bigger, and harder to miss (actually only missed one lob over the top) throwing at, but just after a week or so (slow throwing week at that) I realized the larger knives Im throwing (meaning I saw many vids with new folks throwing smaller less damaging blades) are really tearing up the pine boards.. . well seemed like a good idea at the time.. But wait, I could mount the oversized log round on the board target So I looked at multiple options, but needed to remove it for moving around, taking down at night etc.. so I made (2) 2 x 4 ledges that hold the log in place on the board, and the board angle and log weight hold it quite well Problem solved and target improved right Well not quite arrgh
Seems that the extra weight of the log along with the pounding thuds of 15-18 oz. Cold Steel knives was vibrating through the target and once again beating up my dilapidated wood shed structure. (It will be emptied this fall with some nice camp fires, and then torn down for rebuild.. yes stronger) Im getting closer to something better Hopefully.
Finally Week 5:
By now Im actually sore in the elbow forearm tendon area, so I take a couple days off throwing to figure this target thing out once and for all.. (ya right, I know) But humor me So realizing I need a back stand for my target board, and seeing my accuracy and consistency had improved a lot from when I started, I was going to make multiple improvements on my target. I posted on the forum asking about the use of lower (close to the ground targets), and Bobby B. replied about the additional skill and improvements throwing at different heights, so I was going to add lower points as well. I checked with my buddy who had supplied me with the original log round, and he said he had another nearly identical. I was all over that and had it home within an hour after we hung up.
Now I had decided to make a simple 2 x 4 frame, hinged to the back of the target board, and a light chain at the bottom to stop/adjust the board to the angle desired and not have it slide out. I also added another set of 2 x 4 ledges for the second log round (irregular shaped as it may be) and topped it off with spray painted 6 black bullseyes, 7 in total, so I can concentrate on accuracy at multiple heights and side to side. Also, as built, I can quickly take it down (to a degree) for yard work, moving it, etc..
So after a lot of trial and error, I think I have it the way its going to stay . at least for a while. I learned a lot about throwing different knives at different targets/surfaces, obviously improved my own accuracy and consistency in throwing different knives, and am actually glad my earlier target versions needed improvement.
Oh yeah, Ill quit jawing or writing and just show you below
Thanks for reading, and I hope you found it entertaining and maybe helpful for some!
- Mark
