where to find steel knitting needles ?

Joined
Aug 26, 2005
Messages
4,106
I just made a long post that evaporated so I,m making this quick . I,m looking for tough steel knitting needles to throw . I want something tough and that I can sharpen and throw without it collapsing like a coathanger . Two points and heavy as possible .
 
I had an instructor who said why throw an expensive knife that can be identified to you when Rebar works great . I would really like knitting needles though .
 
Consider barbecue skewers--the shorter, the better. Have a sharpened tip, a convenient carrying ring, and generally don't bend unless you have a really bad throw. Longer skewers will bend from the throw itself, so avoid those 11-12" skewers.

Plus, they can be picked up at a grocery store for pennies each.
 
I,ve got some decent bbq skewers that llok like miniature swords . They are awesome and almost of a quality to use as a sword . Too nice to throw ! I would still like those needles though . I guess no-one has thought of this or its not a really viable idea . I,m gonna keep looking though .
 
It just may be that there isn't a big knitting crowd lurking in this particular forum... or willing to cop to it.
 
Watchful said:
It just may be that there isn't a big knitting crowd lurking in this particular forum... or willing to cop to it.

I,ve seen blunt flooring nails thrown sidearm that stuck into a pine board every time . I betcha there are not too many flooring guys still using them either .

I have to admit there are proabably not too many knitters on forum . If I went to a knitting forum and asked for needles strong enough to make throwers out of I might make some little old ladies faint . Maybe I,ll make some of my own out of drill rod . I was just hoping we had some resourceful guys on forum who might have an idea or two beyond copy and paste . Besides there is a no carry law where I live that doesn,t say nothing about knitting needles . L:O:L
 
Good luck! You might consider longer nails, and filing off the heads.

Of course, to your point about carrying them: knitting needles are also lighter to carry, as well as less... questionable than nails or skewers.

However, aren't most knitting needles hollow aluminum? It may be very tough indeed to find solid steel ones... we might be back to the rebar.
 
I have seen smaller seven inch solid steel needles . They were of course mild steel . If I don,t get an answer in the next few days I will get some drill rod and make my own . They will be a little heavier and in truth that will be as much of an advantage as a disadvantage . Knit one, pearl two ! L:O:L
 
I have only one of what you are looking for, they are long sharp steel needles that I got from a gun show way back when


The same gun show will be back here on the 19th and 20th, I can buy and ship them to you if u some how pay for shipping or something. I think they had various sizes, the one that i have and throw is 7 inches.
 

I don't know that they even make steel knitting needles
at least these days
I've seen plastic wood & aluminum needles

smaller than the commonest rebar
(many sizes available from local commercial/industrial suppliers
reference: http://www.sizes.com/materls/rebar.htm
looks like 3/8" would be the smallest rebar
[& 2.25" the largest ! ])
might try 'piano wire'
most hobby/building supply carry it
maybe heat harden the tip with propane torch + water quench


I've got some spike bayonets
(like these: http://www.throwzini.com/sks_bayonet.html
sks_bayonets.jpg
)

that i intend to trim down (removing the 'black' endpiece)
& try out one of these days
Found them for $2 each at a recent Arms show



<:eek:> THEY call me 'Dean' <>
dean-sp-sm.jpg

<:)> -fYI-fWiW-iIRC-JMO-M2C-YMMV-TiA-YW-GL-HH-HBd-
<:D> Noobee <> Tips <> Baha'i Prayers Links --A--T--H--D
 
Those look like sks 15 inch spike bayonets . I have some of the shorter ones which are great throwers . Aside from the fact that the cross hatched handle is only held on by spring load and a screw . I actually do not want to remove that handle as I find it removes the attactiveness of the bayonet . I think I will have them welded on .I would like some of the longer ones . I can,t find a dealer that will mail to Canada . I alredy have three of the shorter ones so that may have to do for now . Of course you may have the larger version where the length of the blade may be attreractive in its own right .
I will look into the piano wire angle as their is a very good repair shop in my city . Do you think I can get it stiff enough to take throwing without bending ? Thanks for the tips .
 

'piano wire'
Actually thats not the proper term for common small diameter steel rod
my bad
".....music wire as a generic item is made throughout the steel industry, but that the manufacture of top-quality wire specifically intended for pianos is the province of just a few specialist firms (see Manufacturers of piano wire, below)."
"Piano wire is a difficult material to work with, owing to its stiffness and toughness. Special cutters are needed, since ordinary wire cutters are quickly ruined by piano wire. .......... Piano wire can also be unwieldy, and lead to eye damage and lacerations if proper safety equipment (such as goggles and gloves) is not used."

So -real- piano/music wire is very hard / shatterable
such that cutting it is hazardous without proper precautions

but also,
just what you're needing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_wire
"Piano wire is manufactured in many different diameters. Sizes can range from .022 inches (0.5 mm) to .192 inches (4.8 mm). "


..........................................
what i was thinking of before....

in construction supplies
look for weldable-steel rods for greater diameter than 'piano wire'
1/16" /...... / 1/4" / 5/16" / & greater

I do know it will bend fairly easily (in my hands with effort) at 1/8"
so softish
but stiff

bending ? ......
try various lengths
i'd guess 6" of 1/8" would bend on a hard throw / bad hit
4-5" likely not so much



<:eek:> THEY call me 'Dean' <>
dean-sp-sm.jpg

<:)> -fYI-fWiW-iIRC-JMO-M2C-YMMV-TiA-YW-GL-HH-HBd-
<:D> Noobee <> Tips <> Baha'i Prayers Links --A--T--H--D
 
Diameter in regard to bending is more affected by leverage length than width.

In other words, you could bend 1/4" threaded rod on a throw--all you need to do is make the rod about three feet long.

So you'll need to experiment with different lengths to find the optimum length for your throw. Too long, and it'll bend from the snap of the throw.
 
Kevin the grey said:
Those look like sks 15 inch spike bayonets . I have some of the shorter ones which are great throwers . Aside from the fact that the cross hatched handle is only held on by spring load and a screw . I actually do not want to remove that handle as I find it removes the attactiveness of the bayonet . I think I will have them welded on .I would like some of the longer ones . I can,t find a dealer that will mail to Canada . I alredy have three of the shorter ones so that may have to do for now . Of course you may have the larger version where the length of the blade may be attreractive in its own right .
I will look into the piano wire angle as their is a very good repair shop in my city . Do you think I can get it stiff enough to take throwing without bending ? Thanks for the tips .

The spike bayonets do not have handles. It is just a sping loaded device/clip to lock the bayonet in open and closed positions, not a functional handle. IMO they throw better without the added weight of these spring clips.
 
If I throw by the blade I generally like a weight forward feeling in the "handle"
I tried throwing the sks without trhe outer "clip" as you call it . They throw alright and actually stick very well . I like the look of them inclding the "clip" if the inner spring were taken off and the clip welded on . If I were to take off the outer clip I might just cut off the inner shaft and leave the bayonet as a true spike thrower . Personally I do like the idea of it at least looking like a handle for a finished look .

No matter what I wish they were the 15 inch just to see what they would be like to throw . There would just be more bayonet to like as well !
 
HPIM0705.jpg
kabar for comparison to size
HPIM0699.jpg

HPIM0709.jpg

13 ft away using non-rotation throw
 
I am so jealous of you guys who can throw without spinning . The best I could do is with a knife underhand for about a four foot throw . Just how do you do it ?

I just noticed . It was only a 13 foot throw and you are at least an inch and a half from center ! I wish I was that good with a normal throw .
 
I got lucky, don't worry, I'll be the first to admit I'm not that accurate even half the time.

I was the same way with non-rotation throws, confused.

Then fishmonger suggested heavier blades. I bought some large cold steel pro flight throwers 14" versions for tournament throwing, and I found I could throw them well using non-rotation (finally!!!) He was completely right. After throwing non-rotation with those blades, I was able to "feel" what I needed to do with smaller ones. I'm still not able to do it with those Gil Hibbin eagle eye knockoffs I have.
 
Don,t tell me that you use non-rotation as your everyday throw ? Please tell me it is only used when you at one with the cosmos ?
On a separate note I went to a hatpin factory to try and get some durable hatpins to throw . I couldn,t get them tough enough except to throw into cardboard . If I get some of those needles maybe I can plastisize an end and have my dream hatpin .
 
Back
Top