how-to-throw-a-knife-learn-throwing-knives-sport

Knife throwing has grown at a rapid pace around the world. It is a different type of sport that gained attention not long ago. 

Though there are plenty of throwing sports today, knife throwing is the most popular. Otherwise, we have axe throwing as well. 

This unique sport includes throwing knives at a wooden target. Similarly, in the case of axe throwing, an axe is thrown on that wooden target. The idea is that these weapons need to stick into the target. To get the scoring point, knife or axe must stick into the target. 


Today, we are here to talk about throwing knives, not axe. So, we shall stick to that. 


Throwing knives is not an easy task. There is a lot of practice needed to become a capable knife thrower. Also, you need to learn the techniques of throwing the knives perfectly. 


If you are looking to engage in this fantastic sport, we help you!


In this article, we shall be determined to teach you techniques that will make you a good thrower. 

We are here to tell you how to throw a throwing knife perfectly. Don’t worry, there are easy techniques and steps you need to take. After you finish reading the article, you’ll be an expert thrower. 


So, here we go with the start of your journey to become a good knife thrower! Do you have your knife? 


Take a Good Throwing Knife

The first thing or the most obvious thing you need to do is get a good throwing knife. Not every knife is great for throwing. 


Throwing knives are specially made knives that provide accuracy and speed. There are certain features of these knives.

If you head to the market to buy a knife for throwing purposes, make sure to check it for features like dull edge, rounded corners and sharp point etc. Ensure that your knife has a very dull edge, but has a sharp point to make it stick into the target. 


Also, ensure that your knife is thick enough so that the tip does not bend on impact. Avoid choosing fancy handles or grips, rather, take a simple one. 

There must be minimum cut-outs and perforations in the design. Also, it must not weigh less than 10 ounces. A length more than 12 inches is good though!

Because you are a beginner, make sure to get a simpler throwing knife. Make sure there is no fancy design or embellishments. After all, your aim is to learn how to precisely throw a knife, and hence, a simple knife is better and easier to learn! 


How to Grip a Throwing Knife?

The next thing to learn is how to grip a throwing knife. Gripping or holding knife is pretty significant in getting accuracy in throwing. 

And even before learning the grips, it is essential to correct your stance. If your posture or stance is not right, you may end up losing accuracy. 


In all types of sports and games, every position of the player matters. So, getting your positions right is key to becoming a good thrower as well. 

In the case of throwing knives, practice your stance by becoming aware of your posture and footing. This is key to understanding techniques of throwing a knife. 

A good throwing stance is achieved by keeping your body relaxed. You must not take it as a stress for your brain. Be relaxed and focused. Stand straight because it is key to throwing more accurately. 


Keep your left foot slightly behind with your right foot a little forward. This is for those who throw with their right hand. For left hand throwers, the position is the other way around. 

Practice your stance more often to get comfortable with it. It is just like throwing a baseball. If you are a baseball player already, things will be easier for you. 

When it comes to throwing knives, there are two ways to do it, either by the blade or by the handle. This is where we are leading to ways of gripping a knife while throwing. 


Hold the knife and try to figure out which side is heavier. You must throw the knife from the heavier end to get more power behind your throw. 

When you identify the end from where you would grip the knife, it is time to hold the knife with your fingers (ring finger, middle finger and index finger). Thumb should be at the opposite side. 

Position your fingers and thumb in the middle of the knife and closer to the end. This will make your pinky finger hang off and curl with the hand. This is the easiest grip, but if it does not feel comfortable, there are other grips you can try. 


  • Hammer Grip: 

Hold the knife in a horizontal position. Use all your fingers for holding knife like you do for holding a hammer. However, your thumb must be rested in the middle. 


  • Pinch Grip: 

In this grip, you need to pinch the tip of your knife between your second knuckle of the index finger and thumb. Curl the remaining hand into a fist. 


  • McEvoy Grip: 

This grip position requires you to hold the knife in a vertical position. Hold the knife with the hand in a way you hold a hammer but keep your thumb at the top edge. 


  • Slider Grip: 

Place the knife in a position that is parallel with your hand’s palm like it is en extension of the middle finger. Now lay the thumb across it in a way that it makes number 4 with the hand. 


Throwing the Knife

Now we get to the most important part, “how to throw a throwing knife?


So, before you start, make sure to find the right throwing line. Whether you are throwing a knife or throwing axes, the distance between the thrower and the target is key. To determine the right distance at the beginning, walk at least five steps from the target. 

Now, at that distance, draw a small line and this is your throwing point. Such a distance is enough for beginners. It allows the knife to rotate in the air before it sticks into the target. 

Now take a complete step back from your throwing line. This must be a 45 degree step back as well as to the left. This is exactly what a goal kicker does. For the left handed throwers, take that step to the right. 


At this point, you will know that the throwing line is two steps away from you. And this is actually what it should be. 

You can’t throw a knife well if you stand still. You need to take a step ahead. This space for a couple of steps lets you gain maximum power behind the throw. You will step to the throwing line to throw. 

Stand in a way that your weaker shoulder faces the target. For the right handed throwers, the left shoulder must be facing the target. For the left handed throwers, the right shoulder must be facing the target. 


Now, take one step ahead with the back foot. Step towards the throwing line with the front foot. This exactly how you wind up for a baseball pitch. 

Try to throw your throwing knife using maximum force. To throw a knife successfully, there must be a maximum pace behind it. You must throw the knife hard so that it ends up sticking into the wooden target. 


Try to keep your knife in a horizontal orientation towards the target while throwing it. As you release the knife, the knife would rotate. 

When the throwing arm is completely extended towards that wooden target, release the knife. But, make sure to follow through even when you are throwing a knife or an axe. Yes, that’ what a baseball thrower does! 


Safety is Important!

Now that you have learned the techniques of throwing knives, it is time to pay attention to some safety rules. Remember safety is important and you must take the safety rules seriously and more important, comply with them. 

As we all know that the fundamental goal of throwing a knife is accuracy and knife’s stick into the target. For achieving these goals, you must learn all the techniques described above. 


However, once you learn all those techniques, you must practice to gain consistency. Here, consistency means that you hit the target more often than missing it. 

You can give yourself a chance by trying different cool knives and different techniques. This is good in diversifying your skills. 

But there is something very important that you need to learn apart from learning throwing techniques. You can’t just start throwing blindly. 


To make things easier for you, we have come up with the most important safety rules for throwing knives. Learn these rules and comply with them to make sure you stay safe and keep your surroundings safe as well. Following are those rules:

    • Practice away from the reach of people and animals
    • Set the targets or place your wooden target away from cars, houses and gas grills etc. 
    • Keep an eye on your surroundings to make sure no one interferes. To avoid such situations, head to a safe spot away from the population
    • Use safety equipment 
    • Remain focused
    • Keep your throwing knives protected by covering them with sheaths.

Make sure to learn all the safety instructions before you get on with your career in knife throwing sport.