Weight balance

[gris91]

Surely a question debated furiously by idiots like me...but if I want a back-up knife that can be drawn fast and thrown with somewhat precision and still be wounding if not killing, what should the weight balance be then? If the blade is heavier than the handle, does that mean the blade will be the spearhead or what?

Please help me clear this fuzz up

 

[Briar_Wolf]

First: Throwing knives is a target sport, not a good means of self-defense (don't believe what you see in the movies!).
Second: Distance (and weight) are just as important as balance. When throwing a knife it acts like a propeller, not an arrow. The rule of thumb is: 8 feet for 1/2 turn by blade throw, 12 feet for 1 full turn by handle throw, 15 feet for 1 1/2 turn by blade throw (your distances may vary, but start from these).
Third: Learn to throw with inexpensive throwing knives (Hibben, Rigid, Cold Steel; all cost $20 U.S. or less). Start throwing, from the distances I mentioned ("draw" a line on the ground), at cardboard boxes (or better, get inexpensive archery targets).
Fourth: Search the web (Google search for: Throwing Knives) to learn the basic throwing techniques. (I think Bobby Branton's website has info on this).
Sixth: Practice and don't get discouraged! It is not easy, but it is fun to stick knives in a target (not a human being!).

 

[gris91]

Hi and thanks,

I understand what you mean - and I know life isn't Hollywood - but can knifethrowing be used as a defensive (or offensive) weapon, in theory? Can one get that kind of precision and strength...

 

[Redstripe_808]

i think you could manage to throw a knife accurately from a really close distance. During the process of getting better at distance throwing, I started out thowring close up. (cold steel true flight thrower)

I throw into a section of a tree trunk that's been cut out and i angle at 45 degrees or so.

I can reliably throw a quick half turn'er at this distance (throwing from hand on the blade)

It's easy to judge close distances how much rotation you need to put on it.

However, this is a last ditch effort, and your losing your knife after you throw it.

It's not a good idea to attempt this in a real life conflict. But if your attacker is that intimidating, and the threat is immense (i.e. they have a better weapon than you) Maybe you should THROW IT and Run!

 

[Ookami]

If you really want to use throwing knives for selfdefense, which I suggest you don't, be aware that it is only supplementary.
Thrown at the face it may distract, thrown at the feet or knees it may slow down, but as for me there are too many "may"s in there.

Also, you will need something to follow up, like a non-throwing knife or a baton...
you will need to practice everyday for at least 5 years to use throwing knives to a good effect in self defense situations.

Better go for pepperspray

Ookami

 

[lunumbra]

Try throwing for a little bit and you will see why trying it in a self defense situation is a bad idea.

You would have to be able to accurately judge the distant between you and the BG, this would probably be constantly changing as one or both of you move.

You would have to be able to hit a moving target. Not just changing distance between you, which would constantly change the spin that you would have to use, but the lateral movement of the BG would have to be taken into account.

You would have to carry a knife that had enough weight and edge to penetrate a human body far enough to do damage. Most throwers us wood targets, so their knives stick less then an inch into them when they stick one. Flesh is a easier, but bone isn't. Most targets are approxiamately 18 inches in diameter. The only part of the human body that is that big is the torso, lots of ribs in that torso. If you aim for it you had better hope you get lucky or go for the lower belly. If you want to go for more "Vernerable" area.....well, they are smaller, so now your trying to hit a small moving target.

Knives don't move very fast. Especially heavy ones. If your up against someone with an object in their hand, and this could be ANY object (a coat, purse, plastic restaurant menu, book...etc) they are just going to knock the knife out of the air. Trained martial artists with a little confidence could do it with their hands. Is it going to hurt? Yes, will it be enough to take them out of the fight? NO. Is it going to make them angry enough to want to beat you into a blood stain? YES!

You would have to take all that, and more, into account, in real time, under combat stress.



You would have better luck making a basket from half court, blind folded.

 

[ralph thorn]

I think it is entirely possible to effectively use knife throwing in self-defense, under certain circumstances. You might want to check out my posting on non-rotating throws, to get an idea why.

 

[Ferrous Wheel]

Hi, Johan:

What you want is a readily available, inexpensive, and time-proven projectile commonly known as a rock. They can be found for under 20 dollars, and are often just lying about. Rock throwing is still used by certain jungle tribes for hunting. If you miss, you might be able to scoop up another befor your attacker is on you. More importantly, he will not be armed by the 20 dollar knife you threw away trying to hit him. Also, the authorities may not be as lenient if they find a guy with a throwing knife instead of a guy with a rock.

Some european nations frown on the carrying of such objects, and it may suggest to them that you had some premeditated ideas for using the knife. a rock, however, is easily passed off as a "lucky rock" or "part of my geology project." Yet I would argue that the rock's effectiveness as a missile weapon is made evident by its history (40,000+ years and going strong.)

Keith