proper use of a throwing stick??

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Mar 22, 2006
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Been playing around with using throwing sticks..it's alot of fun, but my only tips on form I eeked out from a Tom Brown book. So I was wondering if anyone had any pointers or even video links would be great..I tried youtube but found nothing good.
 
There used to be a folding version of that star which gave you four double edged blades, it was sold to military folks. I can't remember what name it was marketed under.

The regular throwing stick works on a different principle by covering an area with it rotation helping to insure a hit, it uses shock from impact to do its damage. When I made mine I got really lucky finding a fire killed tree around 4 inches in diameter that was naturaly bent over. I cut the bend out and then thinned it down to around 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch thick out of the middle then put edges on it like a boomerang. It works well and if you can get a half decent shot at a rabbit or bird on the ground you've got a good chance at getting dinner.
 
IMO the best use of a throwing stick is to use it for starting a fire. Sorry if that is a sarcastic remark, but as a lifelong hunter, I just can't believe in a survival senario it would be in any way useful, to me at least. Now if it's just for fun, that's another story.
 
Throwing sticks just come down to practice. In a survival situation they are your first weapon. They are an efficient weapon for smaller game with practice. One thing to remember is that you probably stun the creature 60% of the time so another stick to give it a final blow would be useful. My favorite throwing style is just a simple side arm throw but it is pretty limited in its use in the environment. If you have small trees or shrubs around the prey its hard to reach it.
 
Look here http://www.flight-toys.com/boomerangs.htm

I have done a lot of research and experiment with primitive weapons. Although I am an archer for the most part. I have done a fare share of harvesting with other primitive/survival tools. Don't kid your self about a throwing stick being Ineffective. I killed a medium sized Coyote with a throwing stick. A good one will have some type of a wing on one side. The object is not to get them to return it is to get them to sail. A proper wing shape on one side will give you another 50 yards distance. That equates to less loss of energy at a normal thrown distance.
http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/reply/144452#reply-144452
 
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Great links guys, I'm still reading up on all of the primitive stuff and gear from the first link :thumbup:
 
Throwing sticks can work. For evidence, look no further than history. But, like all primitive hunting methods, it's going to take some practice. Recently, I've gotten into using slings, and trust me... if I were dropped into a survival situation at this moment with my sling, I'd have to be -extremely- lucky to bring down a rabbit or squirrel with it. I just need more practice. Like, maybe a couple more years... :o
 
Good responses, and I continue to learn from you all. For me, I still believe they would be ineffective. However, I wouldn't want to be a squirrel, rabbit, or even a coyote (bikermikearchery) with a hungry man hunting me who had practiced with one though. As a kid I killed a wharf rat at about 20 yards with a round rock, so anything is possible.
 
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