target?

[DANTHEMAN123]

whats the best way tobuild a target,i have tree in the garden but thyre gettin screwed. nothing too major in size just decent and easy.maybe a quick way and a diy(buy and build way) cheers dudes.

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

For wood targets, you want endgrain out for good sticking and durability. So cut up a tree into rounds maybe 6 inches thick. The larger diameter the tree the better. I don't know if there is one type of wood that is better than all others, but I would avoid anything with excessive sap.

Alternately, you could buy lumber and make targets from that.

You can use the foam rubber archery targets as well, but wide bladed knives make short work of them. If you go that route, wrap the entire thing in a couple layers of Duct Tape so it stays together and lasts longer. This type of target can be used indoors as well, provided you have adequate protection for surrounding areas.

 

[rlcanon]

whats the best way tobuild a target...

Funny you should ask. Just this weekend I built a long term stand and a less long term target. The stand is three 4x4s joined at the top with a large bolt. That's it. I plan to add a chain connecting the legs so they don't hyperextend, but so far it's working well without it. There is enough mass there that every thing from my Cold Steel throwing knife, to my 'hawks, and even my GB bearded axe land solidly. At them moment I'm using a couple of nails to hold the target but I plan on going to 1" holes spaced every 6" or so with dowles that stick in the holes to hold targets at different heights. I agree with Rat' that end grain is preferable, and I plan on maybe finding a cross section of a tree or gluing sections of 2x12 together eventually, but for the sake of expediency and low cost I just glued a 2x12 cut into 3 pieces edge to edge. It's less forgiving of less than perfect throws, so it keeps me honest!

The two outer legs have an angle cut on their face so they splay out the correct amount to act as a tripod. I cut one with a dull hand saw and then thought "I have all these meticulously sharpened blades around..." I did the second leg with a ATC Next Gen Ranger and a Busse Heavy Heart. I needed a 12" bolt to join the legs and the Home Depot only had 10" so I went with a piece of all thread and nuts on each end. It sort of works as a handle to drag the thing around travois fashion, but I don't want a wild throw to hit steel so I may still cut the ends down. A previous low budget version just had the target section with a foot taller middle section, and two cheap joist brackets with a couple of closet rods going from the brackets to the ground. Not as rock solid, but fine for knives and 'hawks and it lasted years out in the weather before I neglected it and the rot got it.

 

[AtomSphere]

sweet target you got there rlcanon!

 

[DANTHEMAN123]

thanks guys.
rat, with the tree method how do you mount them?

i just got my new hibben triple set and single bladed hibben axe.

i had the double bladed one taken by the police for throwing it at a tree outside my house during knife ammnesty.

i got the single headed cos it looked harder to throw and was nicer looking .

to be honest the things too heavy really and bigger.

its not as comfortable to throw as the double bladed one.
but the cord wrapped knives are good.....but one mis throw and the cords done for,,,snapped all the cords in five minuites.