What "Non-Throwing" knives throw well?

9

95Bravo

Joined
Apr 12, 2001
Messages
164
I've just started throwing knives but the other day after reading Gil Hibben's knife throwing book he mentioned a lot of regular knives also make good throwers. Out came my Cold Steel SRK and lo and behold it works pretty good as a thrower! It has a tough, heavy blade and it's balance is at the center of the knife, just forward of the hilt. I don't anticipate throwing my CS SRK too much but it's nice to know it can be easily done. Anybody else have a normal knife that's a good thrower?

:D
 
Go to the Balisong forum for some tips, 3.5" work well. We'll talk your ears off about balisong throwing.

Mabuhay ang Balisong
(Long live Balisong)
:D
 
Pretty much anything but a bread knife (serrated, with a round-tip) will find its way into a target, 'round here!

In fact, it's not unusual for me to buy two of a knife that I like the shape or heft of (one for the wife and the kitchen, another for me to throw without getting in trouble).

Pocketknives throw well, but generally won't last since they're either built to really exact tolerances or not built to take the stress.

Khukris throw satisfyingly (much like a 'Hawk), if you can find the spin.

I'm trying to grab a couple of cheap(-ish), full-tang swords to try throwing.

Another "non-throwing knife," I'm tinkering with are the 18" segments of rebar you can get for projects from Home Depot. We have about 20 of them laying about, cluttering up the garage. A few minutes on the grinder, and they vaguely resemble ballista bolts. Heavy, pointy, and from the look of it, downright nasty!

Other than these toys, pretty much any heavy fixed blade will work, although "camp knives" seem built especially ruggedly for it.

Have fun!!

:D
 
I'm all for throwin' anything! The "balance point" is different on every knife, but you can throw anything usin' the BP as a reference for where to grip it from... I've never tryed any axes, hatchets, or 'hawks though... I'm still tryin' to perfect my knife skills. My BM Nimravus seems to work pretty well and the factory sheath draws quick enough to just grab an throw!
 
Get yerself some cleavers. The bigger the better. Try grandma's chicken chopper. Hit the flea markets and garage sales for these cheap throwers. They are usually thick enough to take the abuse.
 
You can throw anything that is reasonably heavy. How well they stand up to the punishment of being thrown a lot is another matter. Also, you want to watch those rubber handles like the SRK. If you over-rotate and the knife bounces off the target, the rubber-handles can cause a really wicked and very high-velocity rebound!

Generally speaking real knife tips will not long withstand the torques applied on impact. Even the heavy duty ones (like the SRK) will break eventually, though that may encompass hundreds of throws. Much depends on your target material. If you are throwing into cardboard, then they may last forever. Soft woods like palm are very gentle on knife tips. Harder woods are not so easy going.
 
The only knife I can throw is my Cold Steel Mini Tanto. And that actually throws VERY well for me. I can hit handle or tip first. I have only practiced out to 20 feet however, and it was always into cardboard.

All other attempts at throwing a knife were NOT pretty.
 
As mentioned, the real problem with most "non-throwers" is the durability factor. Throwers are tempered so as to be rather flexible, with minimal or no handles. Knives built for other purposes will eventually break or even shatter due to the constant impact stress. Folding knives are an especially poor choice. I'd say if you really want to throw folders, use a "soft" target, such as cardboard or styrofoam.
I remember well my first so-called thrower, (circa 1965 ) a German-made Wurfmesser with a conventional layered-leather-washer grip.
I was having a fine time, throwing at pine trees out in the Army training area, when the whole thing literally blew up, leather washers flying everywhere!
( don't worry about the trees, guys, they were already full of bullet holes!)
 
SKS rifle spike bayonets.
I am just starting out, and these are my only throwers. I can stick about a third of the time.
 
I've been throwing ordinary hardware store spikes for several weeks now. Sold at Home Depot and other do-it-yourself suppliers, they come in lengths of 8, 10 and 12 inches. What I like best about them is they are cheap (99 cents per pound), so if you lose some or mess 'em up, just get a bunch more.
 
In his book, Blackie Collins says that his favorite thrower is the ninja, from Benchmark which he designed. It's not sold as a thrower, but he probably had intent for it to be, since it's guaranteed against damage from throwing. It's been discontinued though... been looking for one for awhile w/o luck.:( One of my favorites is a fake kabar next generation fighting/utility knife, only cost me $9 at a flea market.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top