Wanting to get started

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yocan

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Apr 18, 2007
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I have a lot of time to kill in California for the next 2 months. Want to pick up a good skill, after top shot on discovery channel I'm looking at throwing knives.

Good sport I'd hope.

I need a 101 book I know of gil hibben, DVD jack dagger. any more out there? Would that be a good place to start?

I need some knives. I've heard bigger and heavier are better but I think to start I"m going to need at least 3 maybe 6. And 6 from the discovery channel are 240 bucks on blades that are goign to get trashed seems extreme.

So yeah obviously I have no idea what I'm doing but I want to learn.

Oh if it makes a difference, I don't really have a good arm. I swam in college didn't really play throwing sports. I am 6'5" and 230 lbs and my arms are disproportionately long.

Oh yeah, if I have to keep my target in a wall locker... suggestions?
 
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In two months you'll be quite decent if you practice.

Those two sources are very good. I suggest you also look on YouTube for some throwers that have posted some tutorials. (here are some videos I find useful... http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=2EA0074AC22F108E

As for knives, if you are unsure about your longevity in the sport, I do suggest you get three (relatively) cheap knives. Let's face it, most of the time, you get what you pay for. Heavy knives are good, but, if you're not very good at throwing things, don't get too heavy an object. Coldsteel is your best bet right now.

Body type doesn't factor in that much (I've seen children throw), so don't sweat it.

For a target, you should probably go DIY. I suggest you take some inch and a half by about four inch boards, cut them into about a foot each and make a sort of small fence like structure to throw at. Or just get a log round, but that might be hard to fit in a locker.

Did I miss anything?
 
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Renaissance-reborn said:
In two months you'll be quite decent if you practice.

Those two sources are very good. I suggest you also look on YouTube for some throwers that have posted some tutorials. (here are some videos I find useful... http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=2EA0074AC22F108E

As for knives, if you are unsure about your longevity in the sport, I do suggest you get three (relatively) cheap knives. Let's face it, most of the time, you get what you pay for. Heavy knives are good, but, if you're not very good at throwing things, don't get too heavy an object. Coldsteel is your best bet right now.

Body type doesn't factor in that much (I've seen children throw), so don't sweat it.

For a target, you should probably go DIY. I suggest you take some inch and a half by about four inch boards, cut them into about a foot each and make a sort of small fence like structure to throw at. Or just get a log round, but that might be hard to fit in a locker.

Did I miss anything?
Click to expand...

Thanks, some more questions after reading more. What is the easiest throw to learn? no spin, half, full whatever. Whats easier to learn and long term what has the most power in it (conceptually I like the idea from a survival standpoint so learning a way I could take down a small animal would be awesome)

The reason I asked about my size was wasn't sure if it would change what size knives would be good to start with. would these work for a good start?http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=UCGH2034 and would you say go longer? there is a 8.5" version and a 12" version, the 12 I'd assume is easier to learn on right? is something with a flat edge or a curved edge going to penetrate better? and I assume the curved edge sticks easier correct?
 
Let me try my best:

The two ways to throw knives (in a nut shell) are Spin and No-Spin. From what I've seen, no-spin is more of a "situational response" type of throwing in that it COULD be used more aptly for survival. (However, I'd like to clarify that knife throwing as a whole is more of a sport/parlor tick. Using it in a defensive situation is entirely dependent on how comfortable you feel you are with your abilities) And if you start with no spin throwing, it should be FAIRLY easy to learn, no cake walk, but if you start from a short distance and work your way back, it should be fine.

Your body type doesn't necessarily dictate your knife. (I wish I could find the video, but there was a kid that must have been 11 years old throwing about 13in knives in a tournament. Whoff)

Now, if you choose to persue no spin throwing, you should try your best to find a knife with a generally uniform body to it; subtle curves and smooth lines. Avoid sharp points that look like choils, as this may impede your technique. Those should be fine in the 12in model.

Now, edges are a very funny question. Logical fallacies would suggest to you that you would need a really sharp knife to throw. You don't. All you need is a good tip on the knife. And even "good" isn't needle sharp. I'm talking a dull pencil sharp can still stick into wood. But a spear type tip is the most desireable because there is not "top" or "bottom." So if the knife rotates side to side or if you're drawing the knife, the orientation won't be a prevalent issue.

If you want a thrower that doubles as a "utility knife." The only time that would impede your throwing is if you threw rotation partially or mainly using the blade. But even an amateur thrower won't be cut by throwing their own knife. It's a lesson that becomes quickly learned with practice.

ALSO!!! If you want to learn no-spin look up a man named Ralph Thorn. He's a member here and also has a DVD on no-spin throwing (from what I hear, it is very informative. Though I cannot speak for it first hand)

Any more, my friend?
 
thank you very much. i'm aware its a parlor trick but being a Marine a theoretically useable parlor trick is more appreciated for instance, the last trick I learned was a muscle up. Now on to a throwing knife. It looks cool, would be fun, and I'd enjoy myself. Maybe kill a rabbit one day.
 
you dont need any speical book, just go out and start throwing. also you dont need super expensive knifes, just get a good set (I would say 6 but 3 is ok) of cold steel throwers. I suggest you not start off with the true flights cuz they are too sharp for a newbie although they are awesome throwing knifes. You'll hurt yourself with them. get a set of Sure Balance Thrower, All Black 1055 Carbon Steel, Plain $13.61
"Sure Balance Thrower, All Black 1055 Carbon Steel, Plain"

their cheap, effective, strong, and you'll be throwing in no time. What you also might want is a good backstop. if you can, get a chunk of tree trunk cut so that they will stick nicely and easily or some soft wood which is cut end on facing you. It helps when your first starting out. I used cardboard and that doesnt really work so well, espeically if you dont know weather or not its you or the backstop whcih is the reason the knifes are not sticking. get some good throwers and some good wood and you will be golden if you dont give up. Oh yeah, do not stand too close when starting out. Knifes rebound, some times just as fast and as hard as you throw them right back at you... this can and will happen to you and if your too close and/or are not fast enuf, you will get stabbed or hit at best with the knifes.

bottom line is that chicks dig scars and throwing is fun. dont puss out and you'll have a good time.
 
yocan said:
The reason I asked about my size was wasn't sure if it would change what size knives would be good to start with. would these work for a good start?http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=UCGH2034 and would you say go longer? there is a 8.5" version and a 12" version, the 12 I'd assume is easier to learn on right? is something with a flat edge or a curved edge going to penetrate better? and I assume the curved edge sticks easier correct?
Click to expand...

too short, too light weight for a newbie.
 
I know the thoughts on books and all, but I would still suggest Harry K Meckevoy's books on knife throwing, Throwdini's video as well, and knife wise. Well I'm just gotta plug my sponsor here and say Cold Steel for throwing knives.

(the volume of abuse they take make them alone worth it, when you consider how many of the cheap stainless ones break and bend to the point that they are unusable)

Also a good backstop in question would really depend on what you are into throwing as well. I would suggest the treetrunk crosssections if you are also going to throw axes, but you could whip up a nice throwing board with some 2X12s and have a nice wall to throw against.
 
Hey brother I'm glad to hear that other people have an intrest in this kind of activity. I started throwing at a young age. Infact I was 11 when I started. My advice on starting out is start with lighter knives. Heavier knives ur more focused on simply getting them to the target than u are actually hitting it. As for throwing try diffrent distances and pay attention to how the knife hits so u can adjust ur grip. I might also suggest usen knives with smooth handles avoid cord wrapped handles ull understand why after u throw a few times other than that practice makes perfect have fun and let me know how it goes also just use a board that fits in ur locker for a target u don't need anything fancy
 
I always tell people, start with long, heavy throwers.

The weight of the knife does all the work.

The bigger heavier Cold Steel throwers are a great place to start.

Longer heavier throwers are more consistent in spin speed, and ease of repeatability.

It will help with the learning curve.

I throw both spin and no spin, and find both very enjoyable.

You might also want to look at tomahawk throwing. Super fun as well.

Wear eye protection, pants, and heavy boots (if you have them......steel toe even better).
 
Just watch my video here. Gives you a little extra to add to your desire on throwing.
I run a business and am home all day every day when not dropping orders at the post office. So I throw knifes all day long at times and if I am not doing that. I am hand forging knifes. All about knifes :) I will be filming a rabbit hunt at chula vista ranch throwing a knife at rabbits. I hope I get lucky to even get a rabbit in target range!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXwaCZ-SpS0

I will make an HD video today to explain how to throw knifes just for you, and others who may later take interest! Give me about 4 hours because these darn HD vids take forever to upload!
 
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