If you’re interested in throwing knives, here is some information on the history and basic applications of knife throwing. As well we’ll go over the basic physics involved in hitting a target, what to look for in good throwing knives, an overview of different throwing styles, an introduction to some knife throwing groups and associations, and some basic safety tips to adhere to.
The concept of throwing weapons at targets goes far back into human history, and the concept of throwing knives is a natural extension of the ideas of spearing, and later, archery. You throw your weapon; if your aim is accurate your weapon hits your target. There are no official historical records indicating the actual beginning of knife throwing but one can easily assume that the practice extends back as far as knives themselves. Tribal peoples from the Americas and Africa incorporated the skill in hunting. Of course, they weren’t exactly using the sleek weapons of modern day; they often used sharpened flints tied to sticks that served as handles for their sharpened blades and they had to carry multiple weapons since the knife was often lost if the target was missed. Arrowheads, which can still be found in many areas of the U.S. serve to remind us of this ancient historical practice. Knife throwing is also found in Japan, utilized in some schools of martial arts; for obvious reasons, it is a very dangerous and even deadly form of combat. The skill as an art was popularized in America during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s by traveling acts such as the Barnum and Bailey Circus and other various traveling acts featuring sideshows, since it is a very visually exciting and seemingly dangerous act to watch.
There are special knives that are specifically designed for knife throwing. Throwing knives share the characteristics of being made of lightweight steel, and they have either a one-piece design so that there is only one piece of metal with no separate handle, or a two-piece design with a steel blade and separate steel handle. A well made knife designed specifically for throwing is going to make it easier to throw with accuracy. Bobby Branton of the American Knife Throwers Alliance recommends using a knife at least 12 inches long using legendary knife thrower Harry K. McEvoy’s formula (between one ounce and one and a quarter ounces per inch of length) to determine the right weight a good throwing knife should be. He also recommends finding a center balanced knife, that has a decent point, but not one that is extremely sharp.
Knife throwing is used in a variety of ways. It can be used for art and entertainment, as in cases of circus acts and knife throwing competitions. In the impalement arts, a human allows him or herself to serve as the target. Knife throwing is incorporated into combat for some martial artists, often involving not only knives but swords as well. Knife throwing also has military combat applications in certain branches of the Armed Forces of various countries. Some have called for the inclusion of the art as an Olympic Sport but to date, knife throwing is not included among the events.
Throwing Knives Styles
There are two basic throwing styles: underhand and overhand. Variations on the basic throwing styles include spear, mountain man, military ½ spin, military no spin, combat and arrow styles. The no spin, combat and arrow styles limit or avoid rotation and mimic the trajectory of a thrown spear or arrow.
Basic Physics: the Science of Throwing
Understanding the physics involved in throwing can get pretty tricky, and there are many variables that must be accounted for. For accuracy in knife throwing, the location of the initial launch point (generally speaking- your hand), the type of launch, the release angle, the movements of the wrist, the destination (your target), distance, rotation of the weapon, gravity, speed, wind (if outdoors) and trajectory all play important roles. If one is throwing knives at a moving target, or if the thrower is moving, these factors also must be considered for any amount of accuracy.
During the act of throwing a knife, it changes its angle to the ground. Once you’ve released a knife, it will fly forward, but continue rotating around its own center of gravity with the same angular velocity it had when you threw it. The angular velocity is simply the value of the angle changes over time. For more in depth information on the exact science of throwing, you can check search engines or your local library for more about physics. Each aspect involved can comprise entire books.
Throwing Knives Groups and Associations
There are many groups devoted to the art and science of knife throwing, and courses that you can take to give you hands on experience with different throwing styles and teach you correct methods for throwing so that you can enjoy the practice of throwing knives safely. You can find information on groups by search web forums, attending gun and knife shows to search for local groups. They exist all over the country. The Knife Throwers Alliance (AKTA) would be an good group to contact if you’re interesting in joining or starting a group in your area. There are also tournaments you can get involved in like the International Knife Throwers Hall of Fame.
Basic Safety
If you’re going to be holding your throwing knives by the blade for throwing, make sure the edges are dull, only the point needs to be sharp. A throwing knife isn’t designed for cutting, but for penetrating your target. Make sure you have a first aid kit available in case of an accident. Make sure you are aware of your target, and any possible interference between yourself and your target. Never practice throwing knives with a human target, impalement arts are for experts only.