Learning the art of throwing knives is a challenge that’s plenty of fun to try and master at home. All you need is some space, a target, and a few knives. Throwing knives are dangerous objects, and learning to use them effectively could save your life in plenty of situations.
The origin of the throwing knife trace back to the ancient civilizations of Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Europe. The throwing knife is one of the most primitive weapons made by humanity, remaining a popular choice throughout history. The throwing knife was supposedly the weapon of choice for the pharaoh Tutankhamun in Ancient Egypt, around 1300 B.C.
However, some people don’t need to learn to use a throwing knife for hunting or self-defense purposes. Learning to throw a knife accurately is plenty of fun for anyone. Set up a target in your backyard and start throwing knives!
However, a word of caution, make sure you check out our safety tips for using throwing knives later in this review. We answer frequently asked questions about owning and using throwing knives to help you find a set of knives that are the right fit for you.
Our buyer’s guide will help you refine your choice, giving you everything you need to know about selecting the right style, brand, and budget for your new set of throwing knives. Let’s unpack the best throwing knives and review them in detail.
Top Picks
Contents
- 1 Top Picks
- 2 Throwing Knives Reviews
- 2.1 SOG Throwing Knives
- 2.2 Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK G.I. Tanto Throwing Knife
- 2.3 Smith & Wesson Bullseye Throwing Knife
- 2.4 Perfect Point PAK-712-12 Throwing Knife
- 2.5 Perfect Point PP-028-3BK Throwing Knife
- 2.6 Cold Steel Sure Flight Throwing Knife
- 2.7 Perfect Point TK-114-3 Throwing Knife
- 2.8 United Cutlery UC2772 Expendables Kunai Throwing Knife
- 2.9 Kershaw Ion Throwing Knives
- 2.10 SOG Throwing Tomahawks
- 3 Other Best Selling Options
- 4 Throwing Knives Buyer’s Guide
- 5 What are the Characteristics of a Good Throwing Knife?
- 6 What are the Effects of Weight and Length on Your Throwing Knife?
- 7 What are Indicators of Good Throwing Posture?
- 8 Safety Tips for Using Throwing Knives
- 9 Throwing Knives FAQs
- Best Pick: SOG throwing knives
We recommend you go for the SOG throwing knife with paracord handles. This throwing knife set comes with three blades, making it a versatile, professional combat solution for self-defense. - Premium Pick: The Cold Steel Qeonix GI Tanto
The Cold Steel Qeonix GI Tanto is the best choice for the hunt. The heavyweight blade, sharp dual-point, and carbon steel blade make it the ideal choice for long-distance throws that need more impact on landing. - Budget Pick: The Smith & Wesson Bullseye
The best throwing knife for beginners – The Smith & Wesson Bullseye is throwing knife set. This set is everything beginners need to master the art of knife throwing. They have excellent balance, good weight, and no additional fills – just a sturdy and accurate throwing knife that offers exceptional performance in competition and self-defense situations.
Throwing Knives Reviews
SOG Throwing Knives
The SOG F041TN is a great cross-performer knife. The blade design in this model allows for regular knife use or throwing. With this set from SOG, you get a set of three knives. The blades all feature manufacture with jet-black 420 stainless steel.
- 3-PACK CLASSIC KNIFE THROWING SET: Perfect practice throwing knives for professional throwing knives or competition throwing knives users; target any bullseye with balance and precision
- 10 INCH FULL-TANG 420 STAINLESS STEEL KNIVES: These balanced throwing blades measure 4.4 inches and are crafted in 420 hardcased black stainless steel; more durable than generic martial arts knives
- REMOVABLE PARACORD FOR A MORE BALANCED THROWING KNIFE: Throw with this small throwing knives crafted for many professional throwing knife styles; combative rotation, recreational freestyle and more
- MULTI NYLON SHEATH THROWING KNIVES CARRY: Ballistic throwing knife sheath; whether your training, practicing or competing, secure all 3 knives with the Velcro strap and attach via belt loop
- SOG KNIVES FOR LIFE: Take care of these traditional throwing knives and we’ll take care of you; we consider all repairs and replacement requests for properly maintained SOG gear
The handles of the knives feature cutouts for lighter throwing weights and carry weights. Around the cutouts, you get a paracord wrap for additional grip and use in survival situations where paracord comes in handy.
These knives are lightweight and easy to throw. However, we think that the lightweight nature of the blade might also cause extra bounce if you miss the target.
- Length – 12.5-inches
- Materials – 420 stainless steel, glass-reinforced nylon hilt and handle with paracord wrap
- Accessories – Nylon material sheath featuring leg or belt wrap
- Weight – 4-oz each
- Versatile blade
- Good for hand-to-hand knife fighting
- Well-balanced
- Paracord for survival situations
- Ergonomic design
- Accurate
- Comes with accessory leg wrap sheath
- Lightweight
Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK G.I. Tanto Throwing Knife
Cold Steel is a premier brand producing some of the best knives in the world for those hunters and knife enthusiasts.
This G.I. Tanto throwing knife has plenty of weight, with a durable polycarbonate handle. This throwing knife gives you extra distance and stopping power, allowing you to take down bigger targets. The dual-point blade offers you versatility from this knife during the hunt, and it’s suitable for packing out and skinning and animal you takedown.
- TOUGH BLADE - The Cold Steel G.I. Tanto is a no-nonsense tactical knife, boasting a 7-inch, spring-tempered 1055 carbon steel blade; Lightweight yet durable, this knife offers practical versatility, making it a must-have for any outdoor enthusiast
- BUILT TO PERFORM - Transform the G.I. Tanto into a survival spear by removing its Polypropylene scales and lashing the blade to a wooden shaft; The knife's adaptability, combined with its strong build, makes it indispensable for survivalists of all kind
- VERSATILE USE - The G.I. Tanto knife is a perfectly balanced thrower and a dependable survival tool; Built for versatility, it excels in self-defense, hunting, or outdoor survival, making it a rugged, go-to companion for any challenging environment
- SECURE-EX SHEATH - Equipped with a military-grade Secure-Ex sheath, the G.I. Tanto hunting knife is protected and ready for action; This durable sheath provides wear resistance and convenient access, perfect for field operations or everyday carry
- SPECIFICATIONS - Weight: 12oz; Blade Thickness: 4mm; Blade Length: 7"; Blade Steel: 1055 Carbon; Handle Length/Material: 5" w/ Polypropylene Scales; Overall Length: 12"; Additional Features: Secure-Ex Sheath; Edge Type: Plain; Color: Black
The balance in this blade is fantastic, especially for its size. This knife allows you to throw it from the handle of the blade, making it a versatile choice for hunters.
- Length – 7-inches
- Materials – 1055 carbon steel with polypropylene handle
- Accessories – Secure-ex nylon sheath featuring secure Velcro pouch
- Weight – 8-oz
- Multi-use knife good for throwing and other duties
- Dual-point
- Good as a combination of survival and self-defense knife
- Good choice for hunters
- Robust and rugged polypropylene handle
- Slow to draw and throw
- Range limited due to extra size and weight
Smith & Wesson Bullseye Throwing Knife
This attractive knife set from one of the world’s leading knife and firearms manufacturers is a top choice in this review. The Smith & Wesson Bullseye set is a masterpiece of throwing knife technology. This set features six 2Cr13 stainless steel knives, featuring a polished fish.
The set is pretty to look at and comes in a handy belt sheath that holds all six knives in a stack design. The knife’s dual-edge points are sharp, and the aerodynamics of the blade and handle make it an accurate and effective throwing knife for competition, hunting, and self-defense.
- DIMENSIONS: 8 inch (20.3 centimeter) length with an individual weight of 4.7 ounces and an overall weight of 1 pounds 12.2 ounces
- DURABLE: Blade is made of reliable 2Cr13 S.S
- DEPENDABLE: Quick and easy access with the convenient black, nylon belt sheath that holds all 6 knives
- SECURE: Have confidence in your throw with these sturdy, well balanced knives
- COMFORTABLE: Knives Are Ergonomic And Ambidextrous
These are fast throwing knives, and with a little practice, you can master the fast-draw technique. This set from Smith & Wesson is a great choice for newbies or professionals.
- Length – 8-inches
- Materials – 2Cr13 stainless steel
- Accessories – Black nylon material belt sheath
- Weight – 4.7-oz each
- S&W is a reputable brand for renowned quality
- Dual edge spear points
- Excellent throwing accuracy
- Nice weight and balance
- Nylon sheath included
- Good customer service
- Pricey Option
Perfect Point PAK-712-12 Throwing Knife
This set from Perfect Point is the ideal starting point for beginners. You get a set of 12 stainless steel throwing knives, with six in black, and six left raw. It’s a great competition set to test your skills against a friend or family member.
This model has a no-spin blade, meaning that the knife’s design makes it need to leave your hand without turning end-to-end in the air. This set comes at a competitive price, and you get the nylon carry bag included with your purchase.
- 12-piece throwing knife set provides a well balanced throw every time
- Six silver stainless steel throwers and six black stainless steel throwers
- Lanyard hole in the handle
- Includes black nylon sheath for easy and safe transport
- Each knife measures 8-1/2 inches overall
The no-spin style of knife throwing is more challenging than the end-to-end throws. However, it doesn’t take long to master this throwing knife if you put in the time on the practice range.
This set is excellent value, and it’s a good choice for a professional knife thrower that’s looking to broaden their range of throwing knife options.
- Length – 8.5-inches
- Materials – Silver and black stainless steel
- Accessories – Nylon material sheath bag
- Weight – 3.25-oz each
- Comes with a zipping sheath bag
- 12-piece set is good value
- Featuring six stainless steel knives and six matte black stainless steel knives
- Easy to throw
- Lightweight may bounce if you don’t hit the target
Perfect Point PP-028-3BK Throwing Knife
Perfect Point does it again with this set of lightweight throwing knives. You get three knives in the set, featuring a stealth sheath that allows you to take your knives with you wherever you go. These throwing knives are an excellent choice for both beginners and professional users.
- Three-piece throwing knife set provides a well balanced throw every time
- Three silver stainless steel throwers with an engraved bulls-eye decoration
- Cord-wrapped handles for a superior grip
- Includes black nylon sheath for easy and safe transport
- Each knife measures 6-1/2 inches overall
The balance of the blade allows you to throw from the blade or the handle, and the corded wrap on the handle provides additional grip when spin throwing.
- Length – 6.5-inches
- Materials – stainless steel featuring a paracord-wrapped handle
- Accessories – Black nylon material sheath
- Weight – 2.75-oz each
- Sleek aerodynamic design for a straight throw
- Paracord-wrapped handles for additional survival functionality
- Attractive design
- Comes with a nylon carry sheath
- Large loop ends can feel uncomfortable when throwing
Cold Steel Sure Flight Throwing Knife
Cold Steel has another entry into this review of the top ten throwing knives. The Sure Flight set consists of 3 stainless steel throwing knives with a matte black finish. These knives have a long, heavy handle, making them the perfect all-round throwing knife.
If you’re looking for the perfect throwing knife set for a beginner, then these knives have excellent balance, allowing you to throw them from the blade or handle. They may have a plain design and look, but they might be some of the most effective blades in this review.
The additional weight of this throwing knife also adds more stopping power to the blade when it impacts the target. The slow-turning spin makes it the ideal knife for beginners to learn to count the revolutions. It’s also an excellent choicer for professionals that want to make long-range shots.
Due to the weight and lengthy design of these knives, they’re effective at long-range shots that shorter blades wouldn’t manage.
- Length – 12.5-inches
- Materials – stainless steel
- Accessories – Black nylon material sheath
- Weight – 10-oz each
- Easy to use
- Aerodynamic
- Sharp tips
- Affordable
- Heavyweight and balanced design
- Accurate for throws
- Not the most attractive knives
Perfect Point TK-114-3 Throwing Knife
Perfect Point has one of the best ranges of throwing knives available. We already discussed the straight-throw 12-piece collection earlier in this review. This three-piece throwing knife set offers you a spin throw solution for your collection.
The TK -144 -3 set from Perfect Point is ideal for long-range knife throwing. The additional length and weight in the blade allow the user to reach further distances with each throw. The weight also adds more stopping power to the knife as it impacts the target.
- Package length: 27.177 cm
- Package width: 7.366 cm
- Package height: 1.524 cm
- Product Type:SPORTING GOODS
This throwing knife set from Perfect Point comes with three knives. Each of the knives comes in a different finish, and you get one brushed stainless steel blade, a matte black coated blade, and an oil-slick colored blade in the set.
- Length – 9 inches
- Material – Stainless steel
- Accessories – Nylon material sheath
- Weight – 3-oz each
- Aerodynamic and accurate
- Dual-edge with sharp Point and sides
- Three colors included in the set
- Material carry sheath included
- Heavyweight and accurate for throws
- A bit heavy towards the front of the knife
United Cutlery UC2772 Expendables Kunai Throwing Knife
Learn the throw knives like action superstar Jason Statham.This set from United Cutlery is the official throwing knife of the “Expendables” movies. The marketing material features Jason poised with a knife, ready to plunge it into the soul of his enemies.
This knife has an outstanding balance, allowing you to throw it from the hilt or the blade. The AUS-6 stainless steel blade is lightweight and durable, and the cord-wrapped handles provide grip for accuracy when throwing the knife.
- MOVIE REPLICA: Officially licensed replica of the throwing knives used by Lee Christmas in "The Expendables" movie.
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Constructed of black-coated AUS-6 stainless steel for strength and longevity.
- PRECISE BALANCE: Perfectly balanced for accuracy, ensuring consistent throwing performance.
- THREE-PIECE SET: Set includes three throwing knives, providing ample ammunition for practice or competition.
- INCLUDES SHEATH: Comes with a durable nylon sheath for safe storage and convenient transport.
This set of three knives comes in a military-style nylon sheath featuring a leg strap for easy access. This model is an excellent choice for professional use and self-defense.
- Length – 12-inches
- Material –AUS-6 stainless steel blade featuring cord wrapped handle
- Extras – Nylon material belt sheath featuring leg strap with belt loop
- Weight – 3-oz each
- The official knife of the “Expendables” movie
- Corded handle for better grip
- Remarkable accuracy
- Useful for hunting and self-defense
- Lightweight may bounce if you miss the target
Kershaw Ion Throwing Knives
This full-tang set from Kershaw feature design with 3Cr13 stainless steel for a lightweight and durable throwing knife.
- The Ion knives are double-edged, spear-point blades made from sturdy, high-performance, high chromium 3Cr13 stainless steel. 3Cr13 provides excellent strength, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. Each blade is finished with a black-oxide BlackWash
- The Ion’s handle is wrapped in durable, sure-grip paracord. An extra-large ring on the Ion’s rear adds balance and offers a convenient place for attaching a lanyard, making it easy to remove the Ion from a sheath or target. All three knives fit neatly in
- Set of three throwing knives made of sturdy, high-performance 3Cr13 stainless steel providing good strength, edge retention and corrosion resistance.
- Razor sharp 4.5” blade specifically engineered for safe throwing.
- Black-oxide BlackWash finish gives the Ion a rugged appearance and extra corrosion resistance while hiding fingerprints and scratches.
You get three knives in a set, with a nylon storage sheath that sits on your belt. These throwing knives are more for self-defense and hunting, and they provide accurate flights with a sharp point.
- Length – 4.5-inches
- Material – 3Cr13 stainless steel with camo cord-wrapped handle
- Extras – nylon material sheath
- Weight – 3-oz each
- Accurate
- Camouflage corded handle
- Nylon material carry case
- Double-edge spear point
- Good balance
- Blackwash finish
- Large loop at hilt may cause discomfort when throwing
SOG Throwing Tomahawks
SOG finishes off this review with something entirely different. These throwing tomahawks are remarkably accurate, and maker a nice change from throwing knives. If you’re already good with throwing, knives, then give these tomahawks a try.
- 3 Stainless Steel Throwing Tomahawks: Each hardcased black throwing hatchet in this throwing axe set features 1.75-inch full tang tactical hatchet blade; tomahawk pack
- 10.75 Inch Full-Tang Construction: Flimsy axes and hatchets are dangerous! This SOG tomahawk outdoor set is built to last and comes as sharp as any other SOG tactical tomahawk
- Throw and Stick Easy: 25.4 oz. survival axe set is perfectly balanced for beginners or pros with superior grip and full-on fun right out of the box; these 8.4 oz. throwing axes feature removable paracord handles for your preferred grip/wrap
- All-in-One Ballistic Nylon Hatchet Sheath: Carry your throwing hatchet set in one convenient 3-pocket throwing hatchet sheath; secure each tomahawk throwing axe in the camping axe sheath with Velcro straps
- SOG for Life: Take care of your axes and hatchets and we’ll take care of you; we gladly consider repairs and replacements for your properly maintained SOG tomahawk throwing hatchets
- Length – 10.75-inches
- Materials – 3Cr13 Hardened stainless with steel paracord-wrapped handles
- Extras – Tomahawk carry case
- Weight – 8.4-oz each
- Good for hunting and self-defense
- Handheld or throwing weapon
- Diverse combat functionality
- Well balanced
- Aerodynamic and accurate
- User-friendly
- Costly option
Other Best Selling Options
- 12-PACK KUNAI KNIVES - This ninja knives set includes 12 identical throwing knives, ensuring you have a complete set for practice or sport. Add this hunting knife set to your tactical knife, survival knife, or self-defense weapon collection.
- EXCELLENT GRIPS - Cords wrapped around the handles of each implement in this knife set provide an excellent grip, improving accuracy during use. Looped ends provide options for hanging while adding to the precision balance of these kunai throwing knives.
- DURABLE DESIGN - Construction from stainless-steel makes this throwing knife set resistant to weathering and suitable for outdoor endeavors. Finely honed full-tang blades with sharp tips easily penetrate targets for precise, reliable performance.
- EASY CARRYING - An included nylon carrying case stores and protects your real kunai set when not in use, making it easy to take it with you while traveling. Individual slots and secure hook and loop closures ensure the set is held safely during transit.
- PRODUCT DETAILS: Materials: Stainless-Steel, Cord, and Nylon. Dimensions: Knives: (L) 6.5" x (W) 0.375" x (H) 1"; Blades: (L) 3.125"; Carrying Case: (L) 4.75" x (W) 8.125" x (H) 1.5". Color: Black and Green.
- DIMENSIONS: 8 inch (20.3 cm) length with an individual weight of 4.1 ounces and an overall weight of 12.3 ounces
- DURABLE: Blade is made of reliable 2Cr13 S.S.
- DEPENDABLE: Quick and easy access with the convenient black, nylon belt sheath that holds all 3 knives
- SECURE: Have confidence in your throw with these sturdy, well balanced knives
- COMFORTABLE: Knives Are Ergonomic And Ambidextrous
- 5" overall, 3pcs stainless steel throwing knife set with nylon sheath
- Two-tone black-and-silver stainless steel blades
- Laser cut-out at end of handle allows a ribbon to be tied on
- Includes black nylon sheath for easy and safe transport
- Each knife measures 5-1/2 inches overall
- HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS: Made from premium quality materials. 3CR13 black stainless steel blades provide an excellent balance of hardness and corrosion resistance.
- WELL BALANCED: Whether you are a beginner looking to improve your skills or a veteran hoping to master your craft, the full line of Perfect Point throwing knives, Perfect Point axes, and Perfect Point throwing stars, are well-balanced and great for beginners looking to improve their skills and veterans hoping to master a craft.
- DEPENDABLE: Provides consistent throwing performance and high durability. A thrower you can count on for those interested in martial arts and the sport of throwing.
- DIMENSIONS: 8-inch overall length.
- SPECIAL FEATURES: Black Stainless Steel Blades and Handles with Spider Design, Full Tang Construction. Includes Nylon Sheath for Easy and Safe Storage/Transport.
- 12-piece throwing knife set provides a well balanced throw every time
- Six silver stainless steel throwers and six black stainless steel throwers
- Lanyard hole in the handle
- Includes black nylon sheath for easy and safe transport
- Each knife measures 8-1/2 inches overall
Throwing Knives Buyer’s Guide
In this section, we’ll look over what you need to know when selecting a throwing knife. Different styles of throwing knives suit different situations in competition, combat, hunting, and self-defense. Let’s unpack everything you need to know about throwing knives.
What Makes Throwing Knives Different to Other Knives?
Throwing knives are quite different from standard blades. Throwing knives will often feature a sharp point, but dull sides. The purpose of a throwing knife is the penetrate the tip into a target, animal, or assailant. Therefore, the throwing knife does not need a sharp side on the blade.
There are throwing knives that provide more utility to the user, offering cross-functionality as a self-defense weapon for knife fighting. Similarly, some models might also serve to clean and skin the animals in the field while on a hunt.
However, for most models, throwing knives have a simplistic design. They have a slimline body, hilt, and blade, and they often don’t feature any handle grip, just a bare hilt.
All throwing knives come in two categories: balanced and off-balance throwing knives. Balanced knives have an equal-weighted feel in the blade and the handle of the knife. Off-balanced throwing knives will be heavier in the hilt or the blade.
There is no performance difference between balanced and off-balanced throwing knives; it’s more about personal preference.
Can I Use a Throwing Knife for Self Defense?
Yes, throwing knives make an excellent alternative to a firearm for a distance weapon. In a self-defense situation, you want to keep your attacker as far away from you as possible.
Throwing knives offer you the opportunity to keep the attacker at length. The attacker might advance initially, but after receiving a hit with one of the blades, they’ll reconsider their attack on you.
Most throwing knives come in handy material pouches that act as a sheath or holster, allowing you to pull the blades from the sheath quickly in succession. If you experience and attack, it should be easy enough to draw all the knives in your set in a matter of seconds.
However, it’s essential to practice at home with your knives. During a pressure situation where you need to defend your life, you might find that the adrenaline overcomes your normal reactions. It’s for this reason that you need the training to tell your body what to do in this situation.
Training with your knives makes you more likely to perform appropriately in a pressure situation where your life is on the line.
What are the most Popular Throwing Knife Designs?
There are so many choices for your throwing knife set. Do you go with a quality brand? Do you need a top-heavy set? What about versatility and cross-functionality? Here are the most popular throwing knife designs.
- Heavy Blade Throwing Knives – This design focuses the weight in the blade of the knife. It’s a good choice for beginners as it makes practice easy.
- Heavy-Handle Throwing Knives – This off-balance knife has the weight focused on the handle. This design suits skilled throwers that want more power in the impact of the blade on the target. It’s a popular design for hunting throwing knives.
- Even Balance Throwing Knives – These knives have an even weight distribution across the blade and handle of the knife. Users can throw these knives using either the blade or the handle. However, they tend to be lighter models, and the knife bouncing potential is higher than as is with the others.
- Kunai Knives – These knives have more in common with samurai katanas than throwing knives. These models look like a small version of the Japanese sword. They have heavy blades that are longer than most throwing knives. This model is a good choice for hunters that need a heavy blade to penetrate the tough animal hide.
What are the Characteristics of a Good Throwing Knife?
So, what makes a good throwing knife? Here are the key features you need to watch out for when selecting your throwing knives.
Sharp Edge
When purchasing your knife, you need to decide what type of functionality you need from your knife. IF you want it to do other tasks, like cutting materials or knife fighting, you’ll need a model with an edge on the sides of the blade.
However, if you’re looking for a traditional throwing knife, then the best models have thick hilts and blades. They feature sharp, pointed tips that pierce targets on impact. Therefore, for throwing knife purists, the weight and sharpness of the Point are the most important characteristics of the throwing knife.
Length and Weight
The blade’s length and weight also play a significant role in deciding on your preferred throwing knife. Self-defense throwing knives built for use in close quarters are short and lightweight. These blades are easy to throw, with a design that makes them effective at distances of up to 15-feet.
Competition throwing knives are a bit longer and heavier. These throwing knives need the extra length and weight to cover distance, and they are effective at distances of up to 25-feet, depending on the user’s strength and experience.
Hunting throwing knives are heavy, with thick blades and hilts. It’s common for hunting blades to have dual functionality of cleaning and skinning animals taken down in the hunt. These knives require plenty of skill to throw, but they have decent accuracy at a distance, and enough weight to penetrate.
Design and Materials
Look for knives made with stainless steel. Stainless steel is tough and durable, and your knife will retain its edge for longer. Low-quality blades might snap or break when hitting targets.
Handle and Grip
The handle is a critical component of your throwing knife. If you get the wrong weighted handle, it can throw off your game when practicing with the knife.
The style of the handle with your knife can determine the functionality, accuracy, and distance of your throw. Here are the types of handles available for your throwing knife.
- Wood Handle – Wooden handles usually feature polished finishes. The polish finish makes them look attractive, but it also helps the handle slip through your palm and fingers as you throw. Some of the professional models with wooden handles include rivets. The rivets increase the weight of the handle, providing more penetrative power for hunting and self-defense situations.
- Cord-Cover Grip – The cord cover grip is popular with preppers and survival enthusiasts. In a survival situation, the cord can be a beneficial tool for a variety of survival tasks. Cord grip handles are a nice utility, but they might affect the knife trajectory as it leaves your hand during the throw.
- Rubber or Plastic Handle – Most low-quality knives feature plastic handles. However, a few leading models, such as the Cold Steel Kunai, have durable plastic handles designed for superior performance.
Aerodynamic Design
When selecting your throwing knives, look for models that have an aerodynamic design. The Cold Steel Sure Flight throwing knife is a prime example of a classic throwing knife shape. Most of the other models in this review are a variation of this basic design.
For this reason, we recommend a model like the Cold Steel Sure Flight to beginners who are getting familiar with the sport of knife throwing. The aerodynamic shape of these knives makes them easy to throw and provide you with accurate performance.
Other excellent models with superior aerodynamics include the Smith & Wesson Bullseye model. These knives have a sleek design, with outstanding balance and high-performance on the target range, and in self-defense situations.
What are the Effects of Weight and Length on Your Throwing Knife?
If you select a heavy throwing knife, it has more weight and can cover more distance – if you have the strength to throw it that far. A heavy knife in the hands of a teenager might not have the same power as when thrown by an adult.
A heavy throwing knife has more impact power, making it suitable for hunting, where you need a considerable amount of force behind the blade to piece animal hide. Heavy throwing knives are also good for combat situations where you need more versatility in the blade.
However, lightweight throwing knives are also a good choice for close-range combat, competition, and recreation. These throwing knives weight 4-oz or less, and they typically have much shorter lengths than hunting knives.
The shorter blades and lightweight materials make them fly faster, but they lack the stopping power of a heavy throwing knife. Still, these knives come in sets of three to 12-knives, depending on the manufacturer. Therefore, you can use volume instead of relying on overpowering an attacker in a self-defense situation.
What are Indicators of Good Throwing Posture?
- Relax your wrist and shoulder to get consistent throws.
- Stand upright with your shoulder pulled back.
- Right-hand throwers must keep the right foot facing outward, with the left foot slightly behind the right foot. Left-handed throwers can reverse this position.
- Hold the knife like a hammer – this is a good beginner technique.
- Note that the placement of your fingers will affect the trajectory of the throwing knife.
- Take a deep breath and throw on the exhale.
- Practice makes perfect!
Safety Tips for Using Throwing Knives
Throwing knives are not toys. Playing around with a knife could lead to someone sustaining a fatal injury. Always adhere to the following safety tips when using your throwing knives.
- Keep the tip of the blade sharp, not the edges.
- In knife throwing, everyone always needs to be aware of safety.
- If anyone walks into the knife-throwing area, stop throwing immediately.
- Unsuccessful throws sometimes cause a bounce, which may injure someone nearby.
- Always keep spectators 6 to 9-feet behind throwers.
- Draw a boundary line from the throw point where spectators cannot step over
- Always carry knives in a sheath when not in use.
- Never point a knife at anyone.
- Check your surroundings before throwing a knife.
Throwing Knives FAQs
By now, you should have a good idea of the difference between all the throwing knives in this review. In case you need some final information to push you into choosing your set, read through these frequently asked questions for more insight.
How is a throwing knife different from a standard knife?
A throwing knife is a unique knife design. It differs from traditional hunting knives and self-defense knives due to its shape and weight. Throwing knives are somewhat lightweight, and they have an aerodynamic design that lets them travel through the air with minimal resistance.
Can I use throwing knives for hunting?
Yes, there are several designs in this review for hunting. However, hunting with throwing knives is incredibly challenging. Getting close enough to an animal to use the knife is a feat. Still, throwing the knife hard enough to take down a wild animal is another challenge you’ll have to deal with in that situation.
Can I use throwing knives for self-defense?
Yes, throwing knives are good in a self-defense situation, provided you have plenty of space between you and your target. You should have at least 10-feet of throwing distance available, or else you should switch to a handheld combat knife.
How much can I expect to pay for throwing knives?
Throwing knives vary in price depending on the brand, style, design, and how many blades you get in the set. You can expect to pay anywhere from $9 to $99, depending on the type of knives you buy. Review the knives you have on offer in this review and choose the model that suits your budget.
