A throwing knife is generally a metal piece with a handle and a blade. Unlike traditional knives, throwing knives are made with one piece instead of a separate handle. The blade is not very sharp but rather the tip so it can penetrate a target.
The blade file may be grasped to throw the knife in a proper trajectory. Balanced knives are the best because the center of gravity is in the middle. So your geometric center will be easier to utilize. Unbalanced knives challenge the average knife thrower and can allow you to move the balances to affect knife equilibrium.
The throwing knife has a long history but has made its way into popular culture through war, theater, and movies. Read on to learn more about throwing knives in general and specific kinds.
How the Throwing Knife Came to Be
In prehistoric times throwing wood was one of the most basic forms of hunting for subsistence. Cultures such as the Australian Aborigines used boomerangs, and tribes in Africa utilized throwing sticks. Finally, there are throwing wood weapons in larger forms like the tomahawk of Native Americans in North America.
Finally, in 600 BC, the advent of iron changed foraging and fighting tactics considerably. Throwing wood became throwing metal, which brings us to the first type of knife-throwing.
What are the Traditional Throwing Knives?
The most basic form of throwing a knife imagined when one hears the phrase is something out of historical Japan. Before the decline of honorable Samurai warriors in the Meiji era, they used two main types of throwing knives. Shuriken is the title given to any small metal object that can fit in your hand (because that’s what the name means), and there are two types:
- Bo Shuriken: long and made of metal that could be constructed from ordinary everyday items.
- Hira Shuriken: more round with at least four blades.
It could be a great time-saver to draw a blade or evade an attack if necessary. Most throwing knives cannot kill because they are not heavy and sharp enough to pierce a body very far, but they can undoubtedly hurt and aid in a kill.
Most modern throwing knives come from one of these basic designs. It is an interesting failure of contemporary thinking that throwing stars and knives come from China because the origins go mainly to Japan.
What is a Modern Throwing Knife?
Throwing knives take many different forms and have developed through various means. Here is a brief history of the popularity of throwing knives. In the 1800s, James Bowie was a Confederate soldier in the United States and became somewhat of a legend for his throwing knife skills in battle. His throwing knives extended as a form of fun among the soldiers and gained much momentum. Shortly after, circuses such as the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey put on thrilling shows that captivated audiences, including throwing knives and live human targets. The act aimed to throw the knife as close to the target without hitting them as possible.
Due to the high demand for these kinds of knives among the average public, there are many throwing knives on the market, so here is a rundown of the types of throwing knives that exist for recreational use.
Different Kinds of Throwing Knives
The following is a list of throwing knives you can purchase through websites like amazon.com or knife-depot.com. Each kind is also an example of a throwing knife for sale and a basic review.
- Stainless Steel Weighted Knife. This is one of the most common types of throwing knife in modern times and usually has an average length of about 8 inches. It will fit comfortably in the palm of your hand and be heavy enough for a great throw. Great for long-distance throws and used in knife throwing competitions around the world.
- Example: United Cutlery GH2033 Gil Hibben Competition Triple Knife Throwing Set with Sheath
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- Not very sharp out of the box (but they don’t need to be)
- Heavy and sturdy
- The sheath holds up to 2 knives at once
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- Weighted Knife Sample Set. This throwing knife will have a few stylistic changes for variety. The sets may include some knives with serrated edges and others that are shorter with no serration. There will most likely be a traditional stainless steel throwing knife, some without a perfect center of gravity or just one side with a blade.
- Example: Ridge Runner Bullseye Throwing Knives 24 pc Set
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- It comes with an excellent quality case.
- 24 different pieces with unique styles
- Small so must be thrown with force to stick.
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- They are throwing Star. This throwing knife resembles the Japanese Hira Shuriken and is commonly referred to as Chinese. It can have any number of points but most commonly 4 to 5. More lightweight than the throwing knife, they are popular and fun for recreational use.
- Example: Fury Thrower Stainless with Pouch, 3mm Thick, 4″ Diameter
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- $8.95
- Good center balance throwing
- It can’t pierce much, but great with cardboard.
- The nylon sheath was flimsy.
- Heavier than expected
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- Double-Bladed Axe. This is not a pretty throwing knife but a throwing ax in the metal form that resembles the tomahawk of Native American tribes.
- Example: Timber Wolf Gen 2 Throwing Axe With Sheath
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- $15.88
- 10 inches overall, a small ax
- Nicely balanced
- Rubber handle and blade crack after ten good throws, better as a showpiece
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How to Find the Right Throwing Knife for You
With so many choices, it may be challenging to decide upon the right throwing knife for you, but that means they’re probably one that is just perfect for your needs. It may have been explained a bit earlier, but some knives are better for use in sports, recreational use, and display. Sets of blades can come in 3-24 knives, so you don’t want to shell out some big bucks without knowing what you need.
If your purpose is to compete in knife-throwing competitions, then you probably need something close to the modern throwing knife, a one-piece tool made of stainless steel. Although the average length is about 8 inches, you can get longer from 12-14 inches. These can last many years if handled properly, and you can discover better quality after practicing your knife-throwing skills. Abusive throwing can damage knife blades and tips.
If you want something fun to use around the house or as a gift for a child, then the throwing Star is probably best. The throwing star cannot pierce much more than just that, and it’s a great tool to increase fine motor skills and boost confidence in yourself. You can easily find brands that come unsharpened if you have a fear of being cut. Even if the throwing star does come sharpened, it will not be hazardous and, with proper instruction, can be a lot of fun for kids to hit cardboard targets.
Perhaps you want something that looks awesome and has an excellent presence. The throwing axe is probably your best bet because it is superb metalwork that can come in fancy versions. These are for people who never intend on participating in sport or for those who want to give a fun gift. The axe point is usually dull and can’t stick into anything unless sharpened by the owner. Don’t forget that limitations do exist due to strict state and city regulations. Check out your zip code to be confident throwing knives are legal in your area.
So now you have a complete brief history, adequate description, and manual on throwing knives. Knowing what a throwing knife is helps to decide which throwing knife is right for you, and once you have narrowed it down, you can make your first purchase. From ancient throwing knives to modern throwing knives, their popularity has done nothing but dwindle, and I’m sure they will keep popping up in contemporary culture.