A knife which has a long narrow blade designed for throwing, sometimes called a "throwing knife." They are most associated with the history of hunting and combat archery, but they also appear in other cultures such as the Australian Aborigines.
The throwing knives were not just any old long blade; they were named by their form which resembled that of an arrow. All types of blades were created to this form, though not all blades were meant to be thrown.
Eventually, the term "knife" was used interchangeably to refer to both forms of blades because those that had supplanted them ended up being referred to as "throwing knives," regardless if they could throw or not. These knives may also be called throwing blades.
Which Material Is Used In Making Of Throwing Knives?
Because of their form, throwing knives are usually made from a single piece of steel. This blade is made either by folding the blade down on itself or by forging it into an elongated shape. When "forging" the knife, the blade is reheated and then hammered down upon anvils or other hard surfaces until it becomes thick enough to hold its shape.
Blades
Some knives were shaped after ancient Egyptian daggers by using a core of copper wrapped around some wire in order to achieve a specific curve as well as increase mass and density while preserving the straight edge. These were referred to as "kopis" style throwing knives.
Some were also forged in such a manner that they actually had two edges and points at each end of the blade, which are called "doubles". The knife would then be held by one of its points in the same way it would be if one was holding an arrow.
Handles
The handle on a throwing knife is usually carved from wood or wrapped in leather. Some handles were made from antler, bone, horn, or steel. The handle may be fixed or movable, depending on the purpose of the knife.
The fixed handle would provide maximum stabilisation and accuracy while the movable handle was used to aid in spin and rotation. A double bladed knife would have a wrap of braided sinew cord in between its blades to aid in securing it onto a thrower's finger, though it was not needed for single bladed throwing knives. The arrowhead type attachment point is known as a "frog".
History Of Throwing Knives
Throwing knives have been around since 6000 BC in China, when soldiers would throw their blades at enemy troops in order to kill them without getting close to them for fear of being injured themselves.
There were two basic types of throwers, the first being one that allowed the knife to be safely retrieved after it was thrown and the second, of course, was for war purposes and these throwing knives were much larger than those that were used for hunting.
It wasn't until the early 1900s when throwing knives were used in actual competitions though. This took place in France sometime around 1910 where different knives would be thrown at various items in a competition like trying to get as close as possible to a target without stabbing it or injuring yourself with your own knife. From these competitions came new techniques and ways of making some of these effective weapons even better than they already are.
Throwing Knives For Hunting
Imagine walking around town with a knife on your belt, or throwing knives in a vest. Throwing knives are an important part of camping, hunting, and military applications, but they also have practical purposes when used as tools.
These knives are useful in many situations; but they are especially used for hunting purposes:
Hunting
Throwing knives have become a very popular addition to the hunter's arsenal. Hunters are finding that they can approach a game animal while minimising the risk of detection by using these knives.
Hunting from a distance is becoming less and less successful as animals grow more and more cautious. The use of hunting with throwing knives allows hunters to stay at longer distances, which increases their chances for success. They can be utilised for both small and large game animals, because they can pierce even the toughest hides.
Make Knife Throwing Your Mastery
Projectile weapons such as throwing knives are among the oldest and most commonly used. Their superior power and quickness make them a favourite among martial artists. Knives are thrown to stick in targets. After you have practised these knives for years, you will be able to hit your target consistently without even looking at your target.