Throwing knives and Sharpening

[cybrok]

I was wondering about what angle should I use when I sharpen throwing knives? Instinctively, I would use a more 45° like angle to hit harder on wood or other hard surfaces. Anyone tried different angles?

Other ideas/comments are welcome.

 

[cybrok]

http://www.reliks.com/merchant.ihtml?pid=307&step=4

shaped like these

 

[Cougar Allen]

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

From my experience, those cheap throwers arent worth trying to keep sharp, and often are not tempered at all. Best to just file or grind them until they are pointy, as the edge isnt useful.

 

[cybrok]

Sorry about that, where should I post it?

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

Sorry about that, where should I post it?

Cougar Moved the post into the appropriate forum for you. Unfortunately, it isnt a very well frequented forum. There isnt too much traffic in the throwing knives section.

Do you know if your knife is tempered?

My friend was throwing a similar looking cheapo thrower at a cardboard box. I told him he would ding the edge on a bottle or a ceramic pot which were nearby, but he said he wouldnt- bam! he throws it directly into the glass bottle, which doesnt break, but does manage to bend the tip 90 degrees in a very comical way. I was Laughing My butt off at that one. Needless to say, that knife wasnt tempered. I have a larger version as well which is totally untempered. But as long as it is somewhat pointy, it will stick in wood.

 

[Nixelplix]

I usually touch up my throwers with a file or a grinder. It's not like you're going to be shaving with them.

Edit-- A thick edge angle is desireable, as it can take more abuse and might deform less even if the metal isn't tempered.

 

[Jeff Clark]

If it ain't sharp it ain't a knife. I throw knives not blunt instruments. I set up a target area that avoids hitting stray nails. I adjust how thick that I leave the point area by the knife dimensions. A real narrow and thin point will tend to bend in wood (particularly if the knife is long or the handle is heavy). Even with a rather thick point I give it a sharp edge, it just has to be at a more obtuse angle. I try and avoid creating a convex edge. A convex edge pulls out easier and is a bit less inclined to stick in cross grain wood. Since it is most satisfying when the blade sticks in the target I use more of a wedge-shaped edge so that it wedges itself into the wood.

I sharpen my throwing knives frequently. I usually use a sanding belt. When I didn't have a sanding belt I used a file or disk sander chucked into an electric drill.