IamA Competitive Knife Thrower! AMA!

Are there any competitive knife catchers?

Unfortunately, no. We retrieve our own knives :)

Would you say things got... out of hand?

That's a stupid joke I freaking love puns!

That sounds like it could be a thing if you wore chain mail.

depends how it hits the chainmail. those knives look like spear points, which chainmail is terrible at blocking. fantabulous for stopping slashes, really shitty for stopping thrusts.

Fantabulous

What are some tips?

Do you throw axes too?

Tips, get some practice knives to start out with, and practice a lot. You'll get cut a lot too. :3 I don't throw axes, unfortunately, but I'm looking into it

Hey there. I have been throwing knives for about a year now with friends and have finally gotten around to buying my own throwing knives from Amazon.com for about $10. They work great but I feel like they aren't "quality". I want something that is professional. Do you know where online I could buy "professional" throwing knives or the best you know of? Thanks.

I agree with clRaikou. Cold Steel Sure Flight Throwers are awesome and I need to go get some. :)

Have you ever thrown at a human target and messed up?

I was throwing near someone, and nicked their hand.

They had to get some stitches.. Nothing major though.

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Thats the worst I've ever seen personally.

Is there a certain brand of knives that you use for competition or training? Do you have a sponsor?

Currently, I don't have a sponser, and the brand for competition knives are actually replicas from a movie, but are still real knives.

Which movie?

Green Hornet. The set that Kato uses.

If this was real, what would have likely happened?

Weeeeeell, the force of the knives that went through the ping pong padles would push them back towards her, cutting her twice about the collarbone, and the ping pong ball in her mouth is full of air and would get pushed back with the knife, cutting her throat.

(ಥ ̯ ಥ)

So she would DIEEEEE a painful, bloody death.

Do you do this in addition to a "regular" job, or is this all you do for a living? What kind of money can be won in competitions?

I kinda feel like things like this should be Olympic events.. would certainly make me more interested in watching...

Well, its a hobby, and I'm a student still. And the money won is usually about 200$ to 500$. I agree with you, they have fencing, why not knives?

I could get behind Olympic knife fighting.

not knife fighting, throwing. :)

Why not both?

Why not Zoidberg?

Your username... Did you miss and hit a hedgehog?

No, XD I just REALLY love hedgehogs :3

very related

YUSSS

By the way, thats not a baby. Thats how big they get.

Is it true that larger throwing knives are easier than smaller?

What are your favorite brands?

I find that it depends on the thrower, but for me personally, it's easier throwing smaller knives. My favorite brands are MAXAM and UNITED CUTLERY

Well that's it. You have inspired my inner child to purchase some knives and start my ninja training.

I'm looking in to purchasing a bo staff and shuriken. (Throwing stars)

Side story, my dad has a wood shop and when I was 5 he made my brother and I, our very own bo staffs. I practiced by myself for 2 years, and eventually took classes which lead up to formal training. I encourage you to practicing with a bo. It is loads of fun. :)

I really want to try. :)

Is there any 'practical' application of that? I mean can you rely on your ability to throw knives as if it is some form of martial art?

I carry one around as a safety precaution. This chick doesn't need mace. :D Just in case.

i wish i could do this. however, Texas is really stupid about knife laws and double sided blades are illegal to carry :p also illegal: butterfly knives/switchblades (this one makes sense), possibly shirukens, and definitely any blade over 5" in length. no tanto carrying for me :(

Yeah..... :(

Are there any particular qualities you or other competitive knife throwers find preferable in a set of throwing knives?

I prefer black colored knives, just as a personal thing, but I also like my knives with little holes cut into the sides, if you can see in the pictures.

You can see that I circled the notches in the blade http://imgur.com/tNqyHvu

You kinda look like that knife-throwing girl in Hunger Games

Clove, and she inspired me to start throwing. In the book, she's described as small and petite, much like ME! <3

dude thats dope as fuck.

Well THAAAAAANK you!! :D

Do you have a preference on grip? I know some people hold it by the blade, and some by the handle when throwing.

It works best with the knives I use to throw by the blade.

Oh, by the way, thanks for answering, and good luck on your next competition!

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

I'm also into throwing knives

XD

When/how did you start learning to throw knives? Where would you recommend learning to throw knives from? I feel like Youtube can't be the best source out there.

I started learning in 2011, and was self taught. Lots of cuts were acquired that day. XD And Youtube really isn't a good source, it looks a lot easier on there, I would recommend getting a teacher.

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This may sound really weird, but I read the book, The Hunger Games and really liked the character of Clove, and her abilities throughout the book, and was INSPIREDDDD

Damn, I actually started throwing for a similar reason. Characters in books make it sound so awesome. :D Of course it is though.

It is! I love it!

You even look like Clove!

Now I'm Worried Well thank you! :)

This is the exact same reason that I want to start throwing knives!

It's awesome. You should try it.

i wanna start throwing knives (preferably kunai) because of Naruto.

Kunai are difficult because of the hole at the bottom. It causes resistance.

Are there any videos of you throwing?

There aren't. :(

Do you use Cold Steel or Gil Hibben imitation throwers? Also, bigger knives are easier to throw... When you said you used movie replica knives is it the kunais from The Expendables? I use Cold Steel sure flight t-80 throwers.

I don't. I have the kunais, but they arent my main knives. My main knives are a replica of the ones Kato uses in Green Hornet. (Yes, I know the movie sucked. They were a gift.)

do you think you could hit an apple off my head?

.-. Wanna see me try No, it's too dangerous. :/

what about someone elses head?

Maybe later Nah....

i practiced for 2 years on a board in my room, here in the netherlands throwing knives are not legal on the same level as a fire arm. So i made my own "knives" Kinda dropped that hobby for some years know but i still remember the feeling i got when i hit the spot i was aiming for and with such force that the "knife" would audibly vibrate after for a few seconds.

IKR. Sorry for the cheesy text talk. I'm in a hurry.

How scared are the people you date of arguing with you in the kitchen?

Pretty scared I don't argue. XD

Farthest man-sized target you've hit?

60ft away, second circle.

Sorry I'm late. In the movie The Hunted the main character throws his knife in a dart like fashion. They don't spin at all and fly like an arrow, is there a technique or is this even possible?

It's incredibly difficult, and is only to be used on certain knives.

Where do you get your foot in the door to start competing?

I've been throwing since I was about 8 (I was a weird kid, what can I say). I have 2 old sets of Hibbens (the ones with the hooks on the back) 1 set of new Hibbens (the rounded ones), 4 KBARS, a Mark II, 4 Kukris and a handful of other odd ones.

I didn't think I'd ever see a chick who can sling blades. I am duly impressed. I'd love a response on how you got into competing, and maybe when the next ones are up?

You have to start at the bottom, and the competitions vary depending on where you live. LOOK IT UP. :D

Can I get some tag phrases to look for? Who runs the national competitions? Or the state ones? Is there an actual league or anything?

The leagues are different. Sorry. :/

Well, what do they normally call themselves? Associations, Leagues, Clubs?

I just want to know what to look for.

Usually they're called Leagues or Clubs, and are by the area you live in like Midwest League or Eastern Seaboard Club.

Where do you practise knife throwing?

Usually in my backyard where I have a piece of plywood set up, and at a sport club, where they have an archery range

Are you related to Emilia Clarke by any chance?

NOPE

How do you feel about the "Bullseye" character from the Dare Devil movie?

eh... never seen it.

How many hours per week dedicated to training?

about an hour a day. (Keeps the creepers away)

Am I doing it right?

.-.

My brother keeps throwing steak knives at our wall to be a knife thrower can I can you to verify that this is a terrible idea

Steak knives are unbalanced and you could seriously cut yourself because they are serrated. Tell him to stop. PLZ

He also cut his hand open on a draw knife. He needs to sTOP WITH THE KNIVES

Yesh. It's dangerous and stupid. Tell him some random pretty girl from the internet told him to stop being stupid.

I was gifted some kunais in a secret santa. any tips on getting the most out of them?

USE THEM! Play with them! Make some cool holsters for them! :D You should try throwing them too. :D

I started knife throwing about a month ago. I have been trying none rotational throws. but I have trouble getting them stuck in plywood, but no problem in logs and trees. Any tips?

Throwing them harder and with more accuracy helps.

Have you thrown needles?

Nope, and I don't plan to.

Have you tried throwing tomahawks? I throw an SOG tomahawk and it's a blast.

For those interested http://www.sogknives.com/tactical-tomahawk-black.html

I'm not a big fan of throwing tomahawks or axes. :/

What's the worst thing you've ever seen happen at a competition? Missing Fingers? Missing Toes?

Someone jumped in front of the target, and got hit in the leg, and needed stitches. Everyone who attends the competitions are generally pretty smart and don't do stupid stuff like that.

Why did you choose to become a competitive knife thrower...er

It seemed like a really interesting hobby to try, because I also am into archery and fencing, ALL THE OBSCURE SPORTS!!

So obscure

:D

What got you into knife throwing? I picked up a cheapo set at a shop in Mackinac city Michigan and have sort of thrown them at trees in the yard a bit. have you ever won a competition? also, how do judges rate shows? thanks

In competitions, usually there are 2 sections, the accuracy, and the showmanship. I've won a couple in the accuracy competition, and one with the showmanship.

I'm an archer and saw spike in popularity in my sport due to the Hunger Games and Brave. Did you see a similar surge in popularity for knife throwing? Also, where did you first go to learn knife throwing? And where do you buy your supplies? I've been interested in knife throwing ever since I saw a My Name is Earl episode where Earl has to help atone for something he did to a competitive knife thrower, but haven't had much luck with that.

I'm an archer as well! I saw a slight increase with the Hunger Games too, due to the character of Clove. I self taught myself how to throw. I get my knives from knifecenter.com :D

What is your proudest moment as a competitive knife thrower? The most badass stunt you've ever done with a knife, or some time you came really close to losing a knife throwing competition and then won it, or.. whatever it is. Your absolute favorite moment relating to knife throwing.

getting first place in one of my first competitions.

If you were to throw the knifes in rapid succession (as much as possible) about how many could you throw over a period of time and how much would your accuracy suffer?

probably 20 in a minute, and the accuracy would be on the target, but on the very edge. (I've tried it. XD)

That is way more quickly and accurate than I expected

I would say pretty average for the group I'm in.

How did you get into it? What is the deepest cut you've ever had? What is the stupidest thing you ever saw someone do at a knife throwing competition? Do you easily pick up guys Are you also good in the stabbing department?

Deepest cut, I needed 12 stitches. Dumbest thing, someone ran in front of the target. I don't pick up guys.. I"M FUCKING CRAZY.

The girl who can throw knives crazy? Nah. :p

XD Yeaaaa she's awesome.

About how far away is your target and how large is it? Do you throw knifes outdoors; if so do you adjust to wind?

Usually the target is 40 feet away, and about 1.5 feet wide. We sometimes throw outside and adjust to the wind depending upon the size of the target.

If you were to need to fight crime using your skills, what would your superhero name be?

.-. I thought about this for a long time.... Black Onyx. 'Cause I throw black knives. Get it? LAUGH.

Hahahahahahah! Are they made out of onxy?

Would you be a dc hero or marvel?

DC all the way. And the knives area STEEL.

How do you learn to throw knives? Is there like a coach and a team or do you just teach yourself and then show up at a competition

There is an option to have a coach, but I don't have one. I just show up at a competition and sign up.

How does a competition looks like? Do you have multiple elements? Like hitting moving targets? Or is it all the same thing everytime?

Where do they judge you on in competitions? Accuracy/technique?

There are 2 competitions, the showmanship and then the accuracy. The grading gets harder when ever you progress to another level (Regional to State, etc.)

How do you cut yourself throwing knives? Do you throw from the blade side?

Would you honestly feel comfortable using them for self defense? I mean... unless you incapacitate them instantly... you just gave them a knife and a really pissed off demeanor.

I throw them by the blade which if thrown incorrectly can cut your hand.

I would say yes, I could, but I would need some therapy! XD