Throwing knives have a long history; originally used in hunting and warfare, they have, of course, now taken on a recreational role, with knife throwing as a sport and spectacle solidifying itself in many hobbyist communities.
Hitting a target with a sleek knife or throwing axe can be incredibly rewarding, especially as you build up your skills with trick shots and greater distances.
If you’re looking to get into the knife-throwing game, here’s what you need to know to get started.
How to Throw Knives
The first step is choosing your knife. There are endless options to choose from, and it may take a bit of trial and error before finding a style and weighting that suits you.
Technically, any knife with a sharp point could be thrown at a target, but dedicated throwing knives and blades are particularly well suited for this pursuit as they have the correct grips and the right distribution of weight.
Select Your Target
Before you get to the throwing, you’ll need something to aim at. For beginners, a large, soft target works best as this means you don’t have to focus on accuracy and power and can instead get your basic technique down.
If you’re setting your knife throwing range up in your garden or other private land rather than going to a licensed site, you’ll need to take special care when putting up your target.
Make sure you have some kind of backstop that stops rogue knives that might miss the target. You need to have a good idea of what is around and behind the target to reduce the risk of any nasty accidents.
Get the Right Grip
When it comes to holding your knife, there are two widely used grips.
- Hammer grip
- Pinch grip
Most beginners will start with the hammer grip, which involves holding the handle of the knife like a hammer, with fingers wrapped around it. Your thumb can offer additional support.
Make sure to keep your wrist firm as you throw, as this gives you more control over the knife’s rotations. Another helpful tip for good form and increased control is to keep your elbow tucked in as you line up for your throw, drawing the blade up over your shoulder and beside your head.
Throwing Stance
A good throwing posture and the right stance are the foundations upon which you’ll build your accuracy skills.
Stand in front of your target with square shoulders and assume the throwing stance with one foot in front of the other and knees slightly bent. Power and accuracy will come from being able to make controlled, repeatable throws while properly transferring momentum.
Start by standing 10ft away from your target to ensure your knife can get good rotation. If you find you can’t get the rotation quite right at this distance, try 15ft.
Different Kinds of Throws
As you practise, you’ll come to know the various throws used in the sport. You’ll likely start with half-spin (6-8ft) and full-spin throws (12-15ft), experimenting with different distances and levels of force until you find the right flow.
Once you have mastered the most basic throws and got a couple of bullseyes under your belt, there are plenty of other more advanced techniques to explore.
Knife Throwing Safety
Throwing knives is a lot of fun, but don’t forget that you’re still dealing with sharp, potentially harmful implements. Whenever you want to practise, always remain vigilant of your surroundings and warn anyone in the vicinity that you’ll be throwing around sharp objects.
If practising at home, keep well away and ensure you have plenty of space surrounding the path of your throw in case anything goes awry.
Also wear appropriate, hard-toed shoes.
Are Throwing Knives Legal in the UK
Many throwing knives don’t have sharpened edges but obviously do have a sharp point that can be dangerous if not handled with the proper safety precautions in place.
It is legal to buy throwing knives in the UK as long as you are at least 18 years old.
However, if buying throwing knives or other recreational blades, you must familiarise yourself with the rules on carrying/using knives in public. You must have a ‘good reason’ to carry a weapon like this in public, such as for work or religious reasons.
Where Can I Buy Throwing Knives in the UK
We have a great range of throwing knives for sale right here at Surplus Store, including throwing knife sets and throwing axes.
We stock quality products from leading industry brands, so you can be sure you’re investing in some quality kit.
Among our selection of knives and blades, you’ll also find a range of knife accessories to help keep your blades in top condition, so you can keep throwing and honing your skills.
Remember, like with any skill, knife throwing will require practice and then some more practice! Much of it will come down to creating the right habits and forming muscle memory.
