Throwing Knives and Tomahawks

I will admit it, I am not a clinical Psychologist and I have no doubt one would have a complex answer as to why we are fascinated with throwing knives and other sharp objects.

For me personally, It has been a fascination since I can remember. I have thrown butter knives, forks, nails, spikes, knives, axes, hatchets and tomahawks. Any object that looked like it might take flight and stick has always been fair game.

Perhaps it was my earliest memories of Western Movies and Robin Hood, the films of Knights and Sword Fighting.

I can not remember any of those films, that at some point in time somebody did not take out a knife or Tomahawk and throw it at someone. Was the fascination born there in the movie theater or is it a more primal inherited trait locked deep in my DNA that surfaced at birth?

Who Cares its fun! It was fun when I was a small boy with my first Barlow knife and its still fun today.

Perhaps we do not need to understand the Psychology of throwing knives and sharp objects, we just need to experience the thrill of taking aim, letting loose and hitting the center of the target. That in and of itself may be all the understanding we really need. The rush, the thrill that's the experience, could that be the real Psychology?

I would be amiss and in jeopardy of not using good sense if I did not begin with this.

If you are not 18 years or older you need Adult supervision before trying anything presented here.

Even if you are an Adult, there are clubs and groups all over and more than likely there is one located near you. Seek out instruction from a knowledgeable group on the proper techniques and safe handling before you begin.

Always be safety conscious and know your surroundings. Especially watch for Animals and Children.

Knives have a bad habit - they bounce back and they often fly away at strange angles. Create a safe area for people to watch from

If your knife is designed or you want to throw holding the blade, make sure it is dull.

Young People are fascinated with throwing knives and Tomahawks. Before you allow this or instruct them, check with their parents and make sure they do not mind.

Keep Safety Always foremost in you mind

In throwing competition there are a number of different throws. ½ turn, 1 turn, 2 turn and 3 turn are the most common. You need to know the distance your knife or Tomahawk travels.

The distance will vary depending on how you throw, the length of your blade (for a knife) and the weight. Good lord, now I need to be a physics major.

Ok, lets make it a little simpler begin at a distance between 6 and 8 feet and throw a ½ turn throw. Hold your knife by the blade and you should get a ½ turn.

If the handle is high you are to far away, move forward slightly, a couple inches.

If the handle is low on impact, you are too close move farther away.

If the knife sticks straight in, jump up and down, run in circles yelling (no do not do this) mark the place you threw from and then jump up and down and run in circles yelling.

You now have the correct distance for the ½ turn. Practice at this distance until you become consistent.

A little while back it was suggested that I should try the A.G. Russel Sting. Well I have to tell you that this is a great product for only around $34.95

It is a great thrower - easily concealed and would be awesome for a martial arts thrower as well.

Check it out at A.G.Russel

Complete Listing Of My Sports and Recreation Lenses

Sports and Recreation Lensography

Some of us, myself at the top of the list find it easier to throw the Hawk than the knife.

Throwing the Tomahawk brings up visions of Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett and reconnects with our childhood past.

Here is a very good article on throwing the Hawk.
Throwing the Tomahawk

Tomahawk Throwing
People familiar with tomahawks and their use often refer to them as "hawks". Similarly, terms like pipe-tomahawk have been shortened to pipe-hawk. Tomahawk targets frames are usually called hawk-boards or hawk-blocks.

Learn About:
Throwing
Stance
Grip and Release
Uses
Targets and much more
Basic Manuel Tomahawk Throwing

If you are looking for local people to learn from or just hang out with and throw Knives and Tomahawks, then this is the place for you. You never know, there could be another thrower that lives right down the street!

Currently there are 283 throwers listed in 46 states, and 22 different countries! And more people are signing up all the time! Soon you'll be able to throw with someone where ever you go!

Follow this link for more details or to see if there are any throwers that live in your neighborhood:


Local Throwers

I recently attended the Atlanta Blade Show and had the
pleasure of meeting up with Arlan D. Lothe, designer of
many fine edged items including the Miracle Blade III and
the Firestone Sport Axe.

I found Arlan at the Condor Knife and Tool booth. After
visiting for a bit he asked my thoughts on the New
Condor Throwing Axe's. I told him I'd have to throw it to
see... and he handed his prototype over and said to
check it out.

After the throwing event I gave it some testing and I was
very impressed with it's feel, weight and performance.
Even throwing it for the first time in front of a crowd of
people it had a natural feel to it.

The handle is smooth and sleek and just slides out of your
hand very nicely, with an almost effortless throw and
release it proceeded to elicit a deep and resounding THUNK
as it found it's way to the Bulls Eye effortlessly again
and again.

I am impressed with this new Axe! For it's size it has a
beautiful balance and I know I'll have to get one.

I tried to buy the one I was throwing from Arlan but he
couldn't part with it being a company prototype, so I
thanked him for allowing me the honor of being one of the
first to try out this wicked new thrower and grudgingly
handed it back!

All in all I'd have to say I gave it very high marks in
all areas - Form, Fit, Feel and Finish all far surpassed
all of the other items out there that are similar.

It threw with ease and seemed to find it's mark quickly as
well and when I heard what the cost on them was going to
be I was very surprised, I thought they would be much more
expensive.

I guess the bottom line is if you are looking for a neat
throwing axe to take into the wood's on a camping trip
that will be as at ease chopping wood and performing all
the other camp chores as it would be sending it off with
that young recruit heading into "Harms Way" across the
World, then I doubt if you could make a better choice than
the Condor Throwing Axe!

Review Contributed by:
Joe Darrah
Brokenfeather
Custom Knives
--------------------
Reprinted with permission from Scott Gracia's
The Great Throwzini Newsletter. You can subscribe to his
newsletter and receive his 101 Knife Throwing Tips
Info-Pak by visiting his Web site.
http://www.throwzini.com

Welcome! - to the Internet's premier English language resource for information on the history and training in Shuriken-do, the traditional Japanese martial art of blade throwing.

Here you can find accurate and up-to-date information on all aspects of Shuriken-do, including an historical analysis of the origins and development of the art, a list and description of most of the representative schools that taught the art, a reference section that discusses and demonstrates the technical aspects of throwing the shuriken, and a section on the design and manufacture of various types of shuriken for enthusiasts who wish to try making their own. I include the latest information on the important legal issues surrounding the use of shuriken, particularly in Australia, an attempt at a review of existing pubilcations; books, videos and DVD's, including other websites, available on the commercial market, as well as a question and answer forum where I help visitors with any questions related to the art that they may have. Finally, for the sake of completeness, there is an archival section where I keep miscellaneous snippets of information that is hard to place within the other pages of this site

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An Introduction To Throwing Knives As A Hobby
By Casey Miller

What makes throwing knives so interesting is that it is challenging yet simple. You are working with one of the most fundamental tools human kind has benefited from for thousands of years. Really, when it comes down to it, a knife is not a complex instrument. It is a piece of metal, or obsidian, or even wood, that is designed to cut. Sure, there are knives that are more advanced than that, but the fundamental concept is the same.

While the instrument is basic, the art of throwing is not. It is extremely difficult to throw a knife over a long distance and have it "stick" it's target. Depending on your individual talent, it could even take weeks before you are able to nail this down (no pun intended) on your own. But when you do, you will immediately feel the reward. There is something in us that naturally reacts positively to the success of sticking a blade. Maybe it is because this is the kind of thing we had to do to survive for thousands of years. Maybe it is just a more typical sense of accomplishment. I myself am not entirely sure, but I can tell you it is there.

The best way to get started with this fun and exciting hobby is to purchase some cheap / inexpensive throwing knives. Don't start out with the best, because you'll probably break quite a few of them when you are first earning. This is because it's easy to miss and when you do you could hit cement, rocks, or other hard objects that will dent, crack, or scratch your knife.

As you learn more and you begin to stick your blade to the target on a regular basis, you can start to purchase more expensive throwing knives. What you'll notice as you make the upgrade is that the blades are more balanced and aerodynamic. They will seem to float off your finger tips and into the target. Sometimes, but not always, the blades will even be more durable.

If you decide to give this hobby a try, please, please be careful. You should always follow the strictest safety precautions. Use protective eye gear, stay away from other people, do not throw at something that could cause the knife to ricochet and hit you, carry a first aid kit, etc. Be safe, and have fun learning this uniquely human hobby.

If you would like to purchase throwing knives, it is easy to do so online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Casey_Miller
http://EzineArticles.com/?An-Introduction-To-Throwing-Knives-As-A-Hobby&id=297396

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