Throughout history, the knife has proven itself to be one of the most valuable tools that man could possess. Today, there are many different types of knives on the market, and they all have specific uses. The throwing knife is specifically designed for, well, throwing. While it’s not the most utilitarian type out there, the throwing knife is very cool. Throwing knives are very suitable for sporting and combat. If you’re looking to buy throwing knives for the first time, here are some things that you should consider.
Length
Length is one of the most important factors to consider when shopping for a throwing knife. A knife that is too long can be very unwieldy and dangerous for the user and those standing close by. Knives that are too short can be difficult to throw because they are hard to hold onto. For a beginner, it’s probably best to start with something that falls in the 12″ and 16″ range from the tip to the end of the handle. In addition to total length, also pay attention to the ratio of blade to handle. Throwing knives that have a high blade to handle ratio should be easier to throw than those with low blade to handle ratios because the extra length will give the longer-bladed knife more momentum to swing and penetrate in the direction it’s thrown in. Stay away from knives with handles that are extremely short, even if their blade lengths are relatively long. Knives with balanced blade to handle ratios are more easily thrown from both ends.
Weight
Weight is just as important as height when selecting an appropriate throwing knife. Knives that are too heavy require more strength and technique to throw. They may not be suitable for weaker throwers or newbies who don’t have the technique to throw them properly. Extremely lightweight knives may be easier to throw, but they are harder to throw accurately, especially if they’re also very small. Wind and other outdoor variables can affect the travel path of a very lightweight knife greatly, but they won’t have much of an effect on heftier blades. You want something with some weight to it, but not so much that you can only send it flying a couple meters in front of you with a full swing. Another thing to remember is that lighter knives don’t have as much penetrating power and can bounce off of targets. This is important for competitive throwers.
Build Material
You can find throwing knives crafted out of just about any material these days. However, the more functional ones are usually made out of a strong and lightweight metal such as stainless steel or carbon steel. Carbon steel blades tend to be the most lightweight and durable. Stainless blades are a bit heavier and generally not as tough. Most throwing knives are cut from a solid slab of metal. Steer clear of any design that uses separate pieces for the blade and grip as they can snap at the weak points after prolonged use.
Ergonomics
The overall shape of the handle and blade will make a huge difference in how well the knife can be thrown. An ergonomic handle is one that fits very comfortably in your hand. Most throwing knives are designed with fairly straight and thin handles. Handles that are too thin and smooth can be harder to grasp and may fly out of the hand unintentionally. It’s better to find something that has a textured grip or holes in the grip. Thicker handles are usually better for throwing. Knives that have curved grips may be easier to throw with certain holds. Blade shape matters too, and straight ones tend to be better than curved ones for throwing. In the end, your personal style of throwing can determine how ergonomic a knife is to you. Even if one initially feels great or horrible, you won’t really know how well it can be thrown until you spend some time practicing with it.
Pointed Tip
When it comes to knife throwing, a sharpened tip is very important because it has a lot to do with how well the knife sticks in a hard target. Always buy knives that have sharpened tips if you don’t want it ricocheting off of the target and possibly back at you or a bystander. The strength of the tip depends on its thickness and the material choice. A very pointy throwing knife can still be a bad choice if the tip breaks due to being too thin or because it was made out of a bad material. However, a strong, pointy knife may still fail to penetrate and stick to the target if your throwing technique is off.
Spine
If you’re into spin throws and other tricks, you might want to look for a throwing knife that has a nice spine. Without a flat surface present on the spine, it can be hard to create a good spin with the flick of the fingers. A good spine allows you to grip the knife in a variety of ways with extended fingers for better control and greater throw manipulation.
WHAT ARE SOME AWESOME THROWING KNIVES TO LOOK OUT FOR?
There are a multitude of throwing knife varieties out there. Many of the commonly available ones are inexpensive and poorly made, even if they might look cool to you or seem like a bargain. Go for knives made by reputable makers, and always do your research before buying. You should check out other people’s reviews of throwing knives online to avoid sinking your money into something unworthy.
Some good and affordable throwing knives include the Cold Steel Perfect Balance Thrower, Cold Steel Pro Balance Thrower, and Cold Steel True Flight Thrower. All are made of 1055 carbon steel, are of ideal size and weight, and are priced around $30-$35 each. If you really want the best that money can buy, Branton Custom knives makes several models that are hard to beat. All cost about $85 a piece and feature spring steel and G10 handles.
