Knife throwing: how to choose the best knife to practice

Knife throwing is considered a sport by many people around the world. However, this practice dates back much further, around 1350 BC, arising from the hunting needs of ancient peoples in Libya.

This practice requires constant training for those who want to improve their aim and learn how to safely handle this type of instrument.

If you admire knife throwers or intend to start practicing the sport, you can't miss the content of this post!

How to choose the ideal knife?

If you are not familiar with the anatomy of a throwing knife, know that they are generally the size of a butter knife, but the blade is more pointed and the edges do not have serrations.

In Eastern culture, they are widely known as "Kunai" and appear in several animations produced in Japan.

There are 3 main types of throwing knives:

• Heavy-blade knife: ideal for beginners, as the concentration of weight on one of the axes facilitates its rotation;

• Heavy-handle knife: also a great option for beginners, as it follows the same logic as the heavy blade. The difference is that this knife must be held by the blade itself;

• Balanced knives: used by more experienced knife throwers, as this type of knife requires more anatomical and physical knowledge from the practitioner.

As for the material, a throwing knife cannot be too soft, to penetrate a surface, nor too hard, to avoid the risk of the blade breaking.

It is possible to find throwing knives in pure steel, but also in other colors, with the manufacture of black throwing knives with colored markings being common.

How should I throw the knife?

Before throwing a knife directly at a fixed point, it is important to understand the components that are part of the sport's practice, such as positioning, applied force, and how you will handle the instrument.

1. Take into account how you will hold the knife

Start by holding the opposite side of where the knife's weight is concentrated. If it's the blade, hold the handle as if it were a hammer. Now, if the heaviest side is the handle, you should hold it by the blade, but check if the knife has an edge on one or both sides.

If it is a knife with only 1 edge, you should squeeze the blade between your thumb and the other fingers (except the pinky), with the edge facing out.

If the knife has 2 edges, the blade will also be between the thumb and the other fingers (except the pinky), but in a more pinched way to ensure the safety of your grip.

2. Maintain proper posture

Concentrate your weight on your dominant leg, and bring your other foot forward briefly, without putting force on it.

Then, raise your arm, bending your elbow so that the held knife is at head height. Maintain an adequate distance between the knife's position and your ear, to avoid accidental cuts.

3. Technique is more important than strength

The force used in the process will come from the impulse of weight transfer between the dominant leg and the front leg. When you shift your weight to the front leg, you will lean slightly forward, while swinging your torso, unfolding your elbow until your arm is straight towards the target.

You can practice this movement many times until you feel you've got the hang of it. When you feel ready, it's time to repeat the procedure, this time letting the knife slide from your hand in the pointed direction.

Who can practice knife throwing?

The practice can begin in adolescence, as long as supervised by an adult and following all safety procedures to avoid any inconvenience.

The more time you have to practice and perfect the techniques and angles involved in the sport, the more chances you will have to achieve your goals.

However, it is not necessary to become a professional to be part of the knife throwing community. Like any other sport, amateur practice is also very welcome.

Where to practice the sport?

Knife throwing is an outdoor sport, as it should be practiced outdoors, away from breakable objects and allowing the target to be supported on a surface - or for the target to be the surface itself, such as trees with soft trunks, for example, pines and willows.

For target assembly, cardboard and cereal boxes are a great option, as in addition to ensuring the accuracy of the knife's mark on the target, they are easily accessible materials and can be painted with a target for even more concise training, ensuring better precision and regulation of your practice.

What are the techniques for knife throwing?

Knife throwing techniques are abundant, as they have been developed in different ways in each region of the world.

Check out the 3 most used techniques by professional knife throwers:

Half spin

The first technique, the "half spin," is the most used because of its simplicity, precision, and also in terms of distance (usually 2 to 3 meters between the thrower and the target). This is when the knife, held by the blade, travels in a 180º spin, landing with its tip directly on the target's surface.

Full spin

The "full spin," as the name suggests, is when the knife is thrown and completes a 360º rotation around its own axis. This technique is mostly used for practicing at long distances (greater than 3 meters) and works best when the knife is held by the handle.

No spin

Another technique that has greater success with the knife held by the handle is the "no spin," where the knife travels directly to its target in a straight line. It can be practiced from 1.8 meters away, but also from a distance. This would be the most explored technique by the famous ninjas with their Kunai.

You might also be interested in: What is the best technique for sharpening a knife?

What precautions should be taken during practice?

Because it involves a cutting object, it is clear that this practice requires safety. The most important precautionary measure was discussed at the beginning of this content: the need to use an appropriate knife for the exercise.

Training with other types of knives can result in blade breakage, not to mention its ineffectiveness for the objective, which is to keep the knife tip stuck in a specific spot.

Another factor mentioned earlier is the importance of practicing knife throwing outdoors, isolated from the presence of animals, other people, and objects that can be damaged by the knife's cutting edge.

Finally, it is also recommended to wear protective eyewear, especially when practicing at short distances using trees or other types of wood as targets, as these can release splinters and fibers that can end up entering the eyes of those present.

For those who want to take the sport seriously

These were the tips for you who want to start practicing knife throwing and needed that initial push to get inspired by your most admired characters and professionals.

It is worth reinforcing that the accompaniment of someone who already has experience with the sport can make a difference when trying to hit your first targets. We hope you enjoyed this practical guide on how to become an aspiring knife thrower.

See you next time!