Knife throwing is the stuff of action movies. It is also a really fun recreational activity that can be done almost anywhere! Knife throwing is a little of the beaten track for yard games, but is a lot of fun. It can also set your next barbeque apart! Knowing how to throw a knife can also be a functional skill.
When throwing knives, it is very important to use good technique and adhere to a set of safety protocols. Neglecting either of these could result in serious injury, which is sure to bring the fun to a screeching halt. First, you want to make sure you have a safe backstop. Next, make sure the lane between target and throwing position is secured. And of course, make sure no one is handling knives when anyone is downrange. We will go more in-depth with this shortly.
With safety out of the way, let’s talk about throwing knives and how they differ from other types of knives. We’ll also talk about technique, targets, advanced techniques, safety considerations, and the practical uses for throwing knives.
Understanding Throwing Knives
Throwing knives are different than other types of knives. A hunting knife, survival knife, dagger, and pocket knife all have specific features that optimize them for their intended task. The same goes for throwing knives. Throwing knives are designed to be throw an to stick into a target. You don’t need an expensive knife to start throwing knives, but there are some other factors that make the best throwing knife.
Throwing knives are generally optimized to have and maintain a sharp point and a sharp edge. This is sometimes at the expense of an edge, because throwing knives prioritize sticking over cutting. A throwing knife should be well balanced so that it performs well when thrown; the best throwing knife is a balanced knife. It and should be made of a durable material to prevent breakage when it strikes the target. Stainless steel is a good material for throwing knives.
While other styles of knives like fighting knives and survival knives prefer grips with a lot of traction, a throwing knife should also have a smooth handle for a clean release. A throwing knife or throwing dagger should also have some weight to it. An ultra-lightweight knife won’t stick into a target well and it will take more accuracy to throw well. A heavy knife makes a good throwing knife, as well as a melee weapon in close quarters. There are also other styles of throwing blades, e.g. throwing axes and tomahawks.
Basic Techniques for Throwing Knives
Now let’s talk about the basics of throwing a knife. There is a learning curve to throwing knives but this will help you get started. We’ll start with the grip, talk about stance and body positioning, and then the throwing motion and release.
Grips: There are a couple of grips that are common in knife throwing: the pinch grip and the hammer grip. The hammer grip is a lot like it sounds: you grasp the knife with your fist, as if you were holding a weapon. It is important to note that your thumb will remain straight long the handle and pointed toward the tip. This grip gives you excellent firmness and control. The pinch grip is a much lighter grasp. It involves holding the knife handle (not the knife blade) between the thumb and forefinger. The back of the handle will be against the pad of the palm. This grip sacrifices some control of the knife, but does lend itself to a clean, smooth release.
Body Position & Foot Placement: When throwing knives, the strong-side foot should be forward, toward the target. For right-handed throwers this means the right foot is forward and the body will be bladed (no pun intended) toward the target. For lefties the left foot and left arm will be closer to the target. Throwers should also stand up straight, and be as relaxed as possible.
Throwing Motion: The throwing motion should be a smooth arc, in straight alignment with the target. First, lock the wrist and allow all motion to come from your elbow and shoulder. The throwing arm should come straight back, keeping the elbow tucked in as closely as possible. The throwing hand should make a smooth arc up and forward toward the target. Again, it is important to keep the arm in alignment with the target. Any deviation to right or left can have a marked impact on your accuracy. When you release the knife, strive for a smooth, clean release.
Rotational versus Non-Rotational: Most knife-throwing is going to be rotational, meaning the knife will rotate on its way to the target. Non-rotational knife throwing (throwing the knife at target with the tip leading the entire time) is sometimes suitable for throwing inside of a few feet. For anything greater than ten feet, rotational throwing will yield much better results.
Rotation on the knife will give it better stability. This will result in better accuracy and a greater likelihood that the knife will actually stick in the target. At ten feet a knife can be expected to do one full rotation; at fifteen feet (about the max effective range of a knife) it will likely do two full rotations.
Troubleshooting: Again, there is a big learning curve when you first start throwing knives. Here are a few beginner tips. If your knife is hitting to the left or right, make sure your wrist is locked and your arm is in a straight up-and-down arc, not moving side-to-side. If your knife stick is high or low, adjust your range increment. A half-step or step closer will raise your impact, and slightly longer distance will generally lower it.
Target Selection and Setup for Knife Throwing
When throwing knives, you will want to have a suitable target board. The target board will protect you, your family, your pets, and your belongings. It will also protect your throwing knives from unnecessary damage. Some target principles are size and composition. First, the target should be large enough to protect the area behind the target. This protects your interior walls, windows, etc. from being struck by knives that go wide. It also protects your knives from striking unintended objects or being lost.
The target should also be soft enough to avoid damaging the knife, but hard enough to retain the knife blade when it is thrown accurately. This will prevent the knife from bouncing back, causing a danger to the thrower and others in the vicinity. Wood is generally the preferred medium. You can purchase targets or build them yourself. A large, round section of log is a good target, especially if it is softwood like pine. You can also make knife throwing targets from the end-grain sections of lumber, giving an awesome second life to leftover lumber scraps.
That’s the throwing knife backstop. But how does scoring work? Obviously your “intended target” within the overall target. That depends on what you want to throw at! You can spray-paint some simple scoring rings, or get professional with it, using the World Knife Throwing League’s system of scoring. You can also paste any paper target you desire over your target wood (we recommend using spray adhesive instead of staples).
Throwing Knives Safety Precautions & Best Practices
Throwing knives – sending a thrown weapon flying through the air – is an inherently dangerous activity. Some safety protocols and precautions are not only prudent, but necessary. First, you should ensure you have a safe backstop. If someone misses the target it cannot risk hitting another person. A thrown knife could injure, blind, or even kill someone – a totally unacceptable outcome from a recreational activity with the capacity to be incredibly safe.
Next your throwing lane – the area between the knife thrower and the target – should be secured. If you are throwing indoors, this may be as simple as closing the door to the room you are using. If you are outdoors this may require putting out some safety cones, flagging tape, or other cautionary obstructions, and briefing everyone present on the activities that are taking place.
There should also be a firm policy against handling knives while someone else is downrange. It is too easy to forget and throw a knife while someone else is down there looking for theirs. This could have disastrous consequences – it’s easy enough just to refrain from messing with the knives until everyone is safely back behind the knife thrower.
Knife Throwing as a Sport and Practical Skill
Throwing knives is a lot of fun! It’s a great backyard game for the recreational thrower when you’re having some friends over, or by yourself. There’s also a lot more to it, though. You can get into knife throwing as a competitive sport. There are local matches across the United States (and elsewhere), as well as larger groups like the World Knife Throwing League. One can progress from beginner to professional knife thrower will dedicated practice that can be done almost anywhere!
Throwing knives can also be a self-defense or survival tool. Though not the preferred tool for a combat situation, a knife stick from a thrown knife is certainly a deterrent to continued aggressive action. The throwing distance of a knife takes it from a contact-distance weapon to a ranged weapon. A throwing knife could also conceivably take small game in an emergency survival situation. This would require a tremendous degree of accuracy, which is up to the skill of the thrower, so you better get started practicing!
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Throwing knives is a very accessible activity for the recreational thrower. It is also a survival and self-defense tool requiring very minimal investment. You don’t need an expensive knife to start learning how to throw knives, just a durable, heavy knife with a sharp edge, and a good knife board target to throw at.
Learning to throw knives is fairly uncomplicated. What it really takes is some basic understanding of the skill involved, then plenty of practice. There are plenty of books, YouTube videos, and even live-training courses for those interested in learning more. Both the Perfect Point Two Tone Throwing Knife Set and the Perfect Point Spider Throwing Knife Set are a great way to get into the world of throwing knives!