The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Knife throwing-Who can do it?

Jody Hudson · August 19, 2001, 09:58 PM

The keys are of course practice, practice, practice. Larger, longer knives are easier to throw and the period of revolution is greater, thus the distance is longer. As a person learns to adjust the rpms of the throw he can change the distance with the same number of revolutions. With practice you can learn to throw past one revolution to two and three at least. Throwing by the handle is good because IF you decide to start thowing sharper knives you will have the handle throw skill. Throwing from both the blade or the handle will give versatility of revolutions which can be handy.

Learning to throw first larger and then smaller knives and then all those different sizes in between can develope a wonderful versatility. Plus, it's fun to throw tomahawks, axes, shovels, hatchets, and even just a piece of pointed heavy wood. Eventually, you can pick up almost anything of almost any length or weight, from at least 5 inches or so up to at least 4 feet long or so, and throw it to stick like a 'hawk, or knife. A couple of years ago at a Mountain Man re-enactment, we had so many knife and hawk throwers that we ended up with a face off with the top several throwers throwing at 4 and then 5 revolutions which turned out to be about 50 feet or so. We even had some fun with short shovels and hammers. One fellow ended up winning with a bush axe throw of three revolutions at about 70 feet. We all quit on that one. The bush axe blade was bent badly, and we broke a few handles on 'hawks and such. But the fun was great. Accuracy at three revolutions of knives, in order to win was to stick the knife in a playing card. The 'hawk contest was won at two revolutions with the same targets. After 2 revolutions some of the 'hawks and axes started to lose stability and not hit true on the blade. A couple of fellows were throwing double bit, full size, Hudson Bay axes with the four foot handle. Only one was able to stick his on the third revolution but two others could on the second with the big HBs.

I think most if not all of the Mountain Man rendevous re-enactments have weapon throwing of all sorts.

August 19, 2001, 09:58 PM	#8
Jody Hudson Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2000 Location: Near Rehoboth Beach Delaware Posts: 1,140	The keys are of course practice, practice, practice. Larger, longer knives are easier to throw and the period of revolution is greater, thus the distance is longer. As a person learns to adjust the rpms of the throw he can change the distance with the same number of revolutions. With practice you can learn to throw past one revolution to two and three at least. Throwing by the handle is good because IF you decide to start thowing sharper knives you will have the handle throw skill. Throwing from both the blade or the handle will give versatility of revolutions which can be handy. Learning to throw first larger and then smaller knives and then all those different sizes in between can develope a wonderful versatility. Plus, it's fun to throw tomahawks, axes, shovels, hatchets, and even just a piece of pointed heavy wood. Eventually, you can pick up almost anything of almost any length or weight, from at least 5 inches or so up to at least 4 feet long or so, and throw it to stick like a 'hawk, or knife. A couple of years ago at a Mountain Man re-enactment, we had so many knife and hawk throwers that we ended up with a face off with the top several throwers throwing at 4 and then 5 revolutions which turned out to be about 50 feet or so. We even had some fun with short shovels and hammers. One fellow ended up winning with a bush axe throw of three revolutions at about 70 feet. We all quit on that one. The bush axe blade was bent badly, and we broke a few handles on 'hawks and such. But the fun was great. Accuracy at three revolutions of knives, in order to win was to stick the knife in a playing card. The 'hawk contest was won at two revolutions with the same targets. After 2 revolutions some of the 'hawks and axes started to lose stability and not hit true on the blade. A couple of fellows were throwing double bit, full size, Hudson Bay axes with the four foot handle. Only one was able to stick his on the third revolution but two others could on the second with the big HBs. I think most if not all of the Mountain Man rendevous re-enactments have weapon throwing of all sorts. __________________ We help people relocate to Rehoboth Beach Delaware. Our Site: www.Kate-Jody.com