The name is self explanatory. Throwing knives are knives that are specifically shaped in a way that they can be thrown, whether this is done for target practice or just for fun and games. Throwing knives are a separate category amongst different types of knives.
Throwing knives make for interesting study because of the nature of their job. These target knives are designed with impeccable weight measurement and precision to make them effective throwing knives. Where did this idea of a throwing knife even come from?
History of Throwing Knives
The knives that were being used solely for throwing appeared first in central Africa, namely Sudan around the eleventh century. Throwing knives became popular and spread in influence down south and to the North African countries.
On their way further north towards Europe, throwing knives gained immense popularity and quickly became famous amongst European knife collectors.
The extensive collection of these throwing knives in Europe's museums today is the resyammt to the popularity of throwing knives. However due to lack of proper records, not much is known about the construction and building of throwing knives.
Modern Day Throwing Knives
Throwing knives are made from steel or other lighter metals. These types of knives don't have proper handles. A throwing knife constitutes two segments. First is the "blade" which is the sharpened half of the throwing knife and the other half is called "grip" which remains dull.
This design allows the user to hold throwing knives safely by the grip portion of the blade. Why is there no handle you may ask? Well, because the chief purpose of these knives is to be flung around, weight and balance matter a lot in the build of throwing knives. Hence a blade has been done away with entirely to maintain this balance.
Two Kinds of Throwing Knives
Traditionally, throwing knives can be classified into two types. A balanced throwing knife and an unbalanced throwing knife.
Balanced throwing knives are designed in a manner where their center of gravity lies in the dead center of the knife blade. This Centre would mostly be the geometric center of the throwing knife. This allows the throwing knives to have a full circle arc when thrown.
By contrast, unbalanced throwing knives have their center of gravity that lies outside the geometric center of the blade. What trajectory do unbalanced throwing knives have?
The answer lies whether the 'grip' section of the throwing knife is heavier than the blade section. If it is, then throwing knives will have an unpredictable trajectory because of varying concentric circles the two portions will make during the flight of the knife.
Most unbalanced throwing knives are flung across holding the lighter end of the blade. One does not have to be stuck with either or between these two types of throwing knives though..
Some throwing knives have weight that can be attached to adjust the overall balance of the throwing knife. These weights can be made to slide across the length of the blade for this purpose. This makes a throwing knife function as either a balanced or unbalanced knife.
Balanced throwing knives triumph over their unbalanced counterpart encase these can be converted into unbalanced knives easily on adjustment. These throwing knives are easier to throw from the grip portion of the knife as well as from the blade portion, making most throwing knife enthusiasts prefer balanced throwing knives more.
Lighter vs Heavier Throwing Knives
The trajectory and eventual target of throwing knives is determined by the speed with which it is thrown as well the weight of throwing knife
Lighter throwing knives are easier to throw as they take less force but end up low impact upon the target. Lighter throwing knives always have a bounce back, kind of like a rebound effect where the throwing knife bounces off the target.
On the other hand, heavier throwing knives land with a powerful impact and have more stable trajectories. They can wreck a greater damage on their target by penetrating it at times. But these throwing knives also require greater skill and force to be thrown with acuity.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the what's and ifs around throwing knives, you can venture out and take your pick. Practice crazy and cool throwing knife tricks if you want for target practice with them. Have fun!
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