How to Throw Knives
Don’t you just envy movies where the lead star throws a knife expertly to beat his opponents? Knife throwing is a very old art form used as a survival skill, but with a little practice and some important knowledge, you can also do this. Here’s how to properly throw a knife.
What You’ll Need:
A well-balanced fixed blade knife with a 1:1 blade: handle weight ratio. (Don’t use Swiss knives or Leathermans.)
Target that’s soft enough to let the blade stick but prevent the knife from going through the other side completely. A block of wood will suffice.
First-aid kit (just in case you get hurt)
Procedure:
Before you can throw a knife accurately and correctly, you must first find its “fulcrum” or center of gravity and grip it there. To find it, balance the knife sideways across the index finger. Adjust your finger’s position on the knife, until it can horizontally balance on your finger. This is the fulcrum.
knife throwing
Hold the knife at the fulcrum, gripping it with the side of the index finger and thumb. The blade should be facing you. With the index finger at the bottom, and the thumb on the top, make these two fingers cross at a 90 degree angle, allowing the knife to balance on the side of your finger, the thumb holding it in place.
Make your thumb face upwards, then raise your elbow above eye level. Bend your arm, until the knife is just a couple of inches above and at the side of your head.
Take a step out using the leg opposite to the hand holding the knife, then bring your arm down and out, with a fluid motion. Your wrist should be straight, but relaxed.
As your arm comes down in a fully extended position, look down on your wrist, then line up the handle of the knife, your thumb and the target.
When the hand reaches eye level, draw an imaginary line in your mind, that runs from the thumb’s tip, the handle’s center and through the target then the handle’s end. This is your release point.
Release the knife. It’s like throwing a baseball, but with a reversed grip. Let your thumb go first, so the knife will slightly roll off your index finger. This will give the knife the rotation it needs to fly well. Timing is very crucial too, since too much pressure from the finger will make the knife over-rotate then fly down at an angle. The horizontal flight of the knife will be slowed down.
Some Tips:
Finesse is more important than sheer strength when it comes to knife throwing.
Different knives have different handle ratios. If you’re a beginner, practicing with a knife with the fulcrum at the hilt is a good idea. Controlling them is easier.
If the target is hit with the end of the knife and not the point, you need to adjust a pace forward or backward, to adjust the distance for rotation.
Clean the blade of your knife after practicing with it. Oils from the hand can degrade the metal, causing it to rust.
Throwing knives is dangerous. Don’t practice with a very sharp knife. Never aim at other people or at property you can damage. Don’t grip it too hard too, or you might cut yourself.
Don’t take your eyes off the knife until it’s safely at rest. It might bounce back accidentally.
Knife-throwing like an expert is easy if you always practice. Follow these steps and you’ll master this impressive skill soon enough.