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What kind of knife?
- Thread starter AIREY
- Start date
Why not try a spear? Seriously, Cold Steel has a couple models for a decent price...
I haven't posted much on this forum, and I'm not trying to offend. I've tried a couple "no spin" styles (literally two -- my own ad hoc experiments since I was a kid, & the "Combat Knife Throwing" style by Ralph Thorn). But the Thorn method requires modifying the knife handle, as I recall, so it really becomes almost a different weapon - really much more of a short spear.
Which is why I recommended just buying a spear -- less modifications.
I haven't posted much on this forum, and I'm not trying to offend. I've tried a couple "no spin" styles (literally two -- my own ad hoc experiments since I was a kid, & the "Combat Knife Throwing" style by Ralph Thorn). But the Thorn method requires modifying the knife handle, as I recall, so it really becomes almost a different weapon - really much more of a short spear.
Which is why I recommended just buying a spear -- less modifications.
Do you have a pic you can post. The hibben style throwers (even knockoffs if they're well balanced) should be fine, but you called yours a "custom design series." A quick google search turns up a rather varied array under that heading many of which might not be your best choice for a no-spin throw.
Keep in mind that "perfectly balanced" depends on your throwing style. Mid-point to slightly favoring the blade is best for a spin throw. A no-spin technique favors a knife balanced from the mid-point to slightly favoring the handle.
Keep in mind that "perfectly balanced" depends on your throwing style. Mid-point to slightly favoring the blade is best for a spin throw. A no-spin technique favors a knife balanced from the mid-point to slightly favoring the handle.
Really? When we throw a knife, we use an arc to pitch the blade. The spin of the knife is the natural residual effect of this arc, transferred to the knife. A spear uses a flexible haft to negate this residual effect, thus allowing the projectile to fly without a spin. We're talking about throwing knives without a spin -- spears are one way -- a very successful way -- of overcoming the spin.
But I really want to say that the old screwdriver suggestion is a practical & economical one -- it reminds me quite a bit of the Thorn technique.
I'm curious -- why are people so interested in the no-spin knife throw? I'm not asking to be critical, I really don't think I understand. I have spent time in the years I've thrown sharp objects into soft targets trying to figure out a way to throw them without spin, but that takes so much of the power out of the throw, not to mention so much of the fun & pretty much all of the reward from making a successful throw. Ultimately it just seems futile, at least to me, and that's the reason I ask.
Clearly others do not believe it to be futile, but I would posit that the reason there are so many questions about such techniques is because so few people are having much success...
I agree 100% I don't get it....
I kinda think it has something to do with the whole "ninja craze"
I think futile is in the mind of the practicioner. From what I gather, spin throwing offers more gratification up front. Once you learn your spin distances, it's just a matter of careful measuring and identical reiteration to be able to throw at increasingly greater distances. Paying attention and adjusting distances as needed brings the thrower a lot at once, but even then for the in-between distances, additional spin control and 'feel' are required in order to stick. By the time someone begins to try off-distances, they already feel successful and are thoroughly hooked.
With no spin it's a little different. It doesn't take that many paces out from the target before you're having to do a more and more subtly complex dance to stick the target with any power or accuracy. 6-9' just sort of works once you get the basic idea. 9-15' takes a little extra feel and a couple extra tricks to cancel the spin. 18-25' takes even more, and from there on you are using a very personalized rhythmic combination of movments specific to your own practice to cancel the spin (whether by Thorn, Fedin, or Mumyou Ryo method or combination thereof).
To bring this back to the original question, that's why 16 cheap 10" tent stakes were the best 'knives' for me to start out with. It maximized repetition with minimal downtime and identical weight, size and shape, so that I could get thousands of reps done each week during my time off. I was sticking anything up to 18-20' and about 50% from 20-25' when I got my Perfect Balance thrower. It was a very clean transition from nails to knife.
Is the PB thrower the best knife to start with? I don't think so. I just like it b/c it's big and heavy and knocks the log clean off the back of the stand when it sticks (I don't have power issues with no-spin). Which knife is better for you depends on which style you favor. Flying Steel has a Thorn inspired Shur-knife suited to his technique as well as a Mumyou Ryu knife. Yuri Fedin's videos all show him throwing what looks like small classic Hibben throwers or sometimes a handful of skinner type knives sans handle.
*Edited to note that the first several dozen times I checked the Flying Steel page, they seemed to be closely tied to some maker-members of BF. They've since changed some of their site, so that I'm not totally sure. In case it's an issue, I left the link off.
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I sorta started out asking the same kind of questions about spin throwing. Why would I ever want to have to measure distance in order to be able to throw and stick a knife? How could you ever hit a moving target with anything more than dumb luck?
Then as I read and watched more of both, I learned that spin throwers can learn to stick from off distances just as no-spinners can learn to throw with power and accuracy. From there I reckon it's just a matter of taste and maybe a little bit of why you're throwing. There's a reason that Thorn's method is called a combat method and there's a reason that stage performers tend to favor spin throwing.
I have no comments on crazed ninjas.
Specifically the steel 10" tent NAILS. They just look like ten penny nails only huge. I bought them in a 4 pack at the local sporting goods store (who had them for less than WalMart did). Coleman makes them, as do others. They come with a plastic hook attachment fitted to the head of the nail. A couple taps with a hammer and that pops right off.
Maybe, it's hard to say. The only DVD of his that I've seen any part of was strictly a demonstration video and that much was a sample. I don't know whether he has an instructional DVD. However, I got a lot of helpful insight just by watching him, Fedin, and others' free videos online.
If there's more of the same from more angles and at different speeds, then it might be useful. I've also gotten good tips for no spin from articles and websites about spin throwing. If something increases or reduces spin for someone wanting a spin throw, then it does the same for a no spin thrower, too.
If there's more of the same from more angles and at different speeds, then it might be useful. I've also gotten good tips for no spin from articles and websites about spin throwing. If something increases or reduces spin for someone wanting a spin throw, then it does the same for a no spin thrower, too.
DANG. Okay, clearly I have never achieved that with no-spin (I'll admit I still play around with it when the mood strikes & I happen to have knives in hand).
Regarding the PB, I cleaved a 2x8 in half last year with the PB (OK, I actually finished it with one blow the first throwing session of the year, sort of a "Spring Throwing Season Opener" -- Spring, in case y'all aren't from around here in Minnesota, pretty much started last week). Now that I think about it, I should take some pics. Anyway, it was gratifying. Unnaturally gratifying.