throwing knives - anyone have any experience?

[littlebeast]

have a few close contact knives, but have been researching throwing knives (and axes), but am thinking it would be fun to learn. knives first, then maybe axes. and yeah - would take a lot of practice and a lot of time, but i got plenty of that (and plenty of safe space to do it on our property).

have looked at some models - but not sure what to start with (rank beginner). anyone have experience / recommendations to share?

 

[Melissa]

Oh I wish I had experience with knives because if I did I'd love to show you the ins and outs.
But I don't.
glwk

 

[easy wind]

Can’t help either but am interested to learn too. Have an axe-throwing bar (that is a thing here) not too far away where I’d go for advice. Have fun learning.

 

[bcj]

The lady next door got enthused with knife throwing last year.
Got a handfull of fairly simple dart shaped flat steel ones.
They were painted flat black though and she lost one in the moss.

Get some fluorescent orange or yellow paint on them first.

 

[cheez]

Knife throwing is super easy. To start with, buy a simple thrower set- no scales, bare steel. If you want to try axes too, get one with axes included. Then set up a target and start throwing. Best target is going to be a layer of 2x4s, 2x6s, 2x8s, any 2" thick solid wood- not plywood or particle board. Stand ten feet away and be prepared for the weapon to bounce back in your direction; also be sure that your 'range' around the target is clear and safe of targets that could be hurt/damaged.

If you want training on the topic, throwing a knife and an axe are very similar, and the axe throwing venues are great places for a toe-in-water experience. Axe Ventures, Smash Room, and Bad Axe are all good spots for that.

But then so is buying some throwing knives and just chucking them at the target of your choice. It's hard to mess up unless you are standing too close to react to a bounce.

 

[berth]

Funny, I have not been there, but there's a place in Newport Beach that seems to offer Axe Throwing parties. And beer.

Not sure if this is a good mix, but, hey, what do I know.

 

[CDONA]

My month in Westwood, waiting for Quincy, last year, 4th of July lumberjack meet.
I got an education of the art of Axe throwing, wandered thru the crowd, personal displays of the tools needed, all sharp & polished up.
The visual treat for a bullseye, they had it drilled out to accept 12 oz soda cans. On the mark gets you a spritz, for all to see.

I do have this hatchet, , ,

 

[Climber]

When I was a kid I was pretty good with throwing knives, I got the all stainless steel ones and still put plenty of nicks along the blades, I used to stack them in the center of the target.

Don't get any with wood or even wraps, once you get good at it you'll start tearing up those additions.

One key is to keep your forearm vertical through the throw, that keeps your movement consistent. Your upper arm needs to come up vertical as well, good alignment is the key, you're better to have a consistent starting point, don't whip your arm back then forwards, that will make your timing inconsistent. Don't add too much wrist flip into it, again, that introduces too much inconsistency.

It's been years, but I've thought about doing it again, it was a fun way to pass the time and there is some satisfaction in placing three knives right against each other in the center.

I had knives similar to these, I had 6.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Yeah super fun, not like the movies, takes some practice, very cool.

Check out the Youtube videos and the guys who throw them kind of like darts so there is no tumbling/turning.

 

[GPzPop]

gonna get your James Coburn (Magnificent Seven) on ?
axe throwing - there is a venue / bar in pleasanton - is super fun

 

[HappyHighwayman]

In that movie he threw an automatic pocket knife pretty good...

 

[Bay Arean]

LB there is a store in Saint Helena that will let you throw axes. They are a knife seller and on the main drag right in the middle of town. They are primarily a custom knife seller but they have this large target, chain mail curtains that they pull back and you stand at a line and launch the axes.
I embarassed myself because I couldn’t make one stick and realized I am truly over the hill but they were super friendly and cool to let me try. Will edit in name if I can find it.

Here it is and you can see the pitch in the webpage photo.
https://www.newwestknifeworks.com/p...MIiZTE--z5hAMVF0h_AB0tkwFhEAAYASAAEgKVivD_BwE

 

[NorCalBusa]

Throwing knives is for sissies.

Catching them however, requires mad skilzz.

 

[Abacinator]

Brentwood Emporium has axe throwing lanes

 

[Pushrod]

Could not have guessed that this thread would grow legs. Someone needs to grab the 'Mingo' handle.

 

[Butch]

You folks are so diverse

 

[Ridley]

Hey LB, go to Auburn Ax in North Auburn they will teach you how to throw axes and knives. It’s a lot of fun.

https://auburnaxethrowing.com/

 

[Holeshot]

With Brett: threw lots as a kid. Only blades/ darts though; not axes. Recently gotten an axe and it's much easier. Start with the axe, IMO.

Gil Hibben makes great stuff. Youtube has plenty of vids to learn from. IME: start close and back up as you get them to stick consistently.

https://www.directknifesales.com/gil-hibben-knives/throwing-knives.html?page=all

Enjoy! Throwing into dead trees is also fine and easier to get the blades out over plywood. Have a blast! It's super fun when you get it.

 

[littlebeast]

gonna get your James Coburn (Magnificent Seven) on ?

yeah, no. had a recent project where i needed to describe an incident, and the mechanics of it. did a shit-ton of research to get it accurate, and got fascinated with the subject. fascination quickly led to obsession.

Hey LB, go to Auburn Ax in North Auburn they will teach you how to throw axes and knives. It’s a lot of fun.

https://auburnaxethrowing.com/

thanks babe. looked at their website and didn't see anything about knives. they are fairly close and convenient, but not sure about axes yet, and definitely not sure about the venue - have done a lot of target practice with various weapons, but never mixed alcohol and weapons before - not sure i'm up for that.

local dude hooked me up though. bought some target knives he recommended (various very logical reasons), plus an SRK i couldn't resist.

 

[Ridley]

LB, I get your apprehension about the alcohol and throwing sharp objects. We’ve gone as a family a few times and Sunday afternoon is a good time to go. Not busy and have never had issues with people consuming alcohol. Even though they don’t have knives on their website they certainly have them there and will teach you how to throw them.