Art of Throwing Knives
Introduction
What makes us so much different and yet the same? Occupations in the dictionary range from Academician to Zoologist with considerable combinations in between. A craftsman of knives and one good at throwing them aren’t necessarily alike. We all want to play an instrument, write, sing, act and throw knives as well. Even better making a living doing them. Movies are great given they can be enjoyed vicariously and have never seen a knife thrown in them that didn’t miss. Otherwise, to get really good at any discipline requires desire, dedication and practice. Since there is not room to discuss countless aspirations, possible ways to throw knives will. Throwing knives can be done yourself for fun, possibly self-defense and to coordinate mental and physical abilities. Seems better to throw with dominate right or left hand and lead with left or right foot. To stand still becomes more difficult as it is to throw with the weaker arm. Not many can do well throwing those ways, but of course to master doing so would be devastating. Competition certainly steps the game up depending on the prize, and needless to say requires participation of others.
Throwing knives in many ways can be compared to playing golf since both require concentration or sometimes lack of it. Difference being golf clubs move quickly, hitting balls very fast toward a stationary cup. Likewise, in baseball but now ball and bat transfer simultaneously toward moving players running and catching. Probably throwing knives can be best compared to horseshoes thrown toward a stationary object since both when hurtled must point the right way upon arrival to score well. This requires motion of wrist with consideration to speed thrown and distance to target, sometimes best thrown from handle or opening, but knives relatively sharp required to stick at fast speeds from their blades might not be wise. Knives can also be used to cut and stab by their handles.
With not much practice any knife can be throw, some seem to stick better than others, but when done repeatedly it is recommended those made for throwing be used. Manufactured in several sizes and styles they generally have one thing in common. Made of durable metal instruments without bulky wooden, plastic or stone handles likely to get hit over and over again eventually breaking, have an advantage in competition able to slide next to each other without knocking others out. In “Leave In” those with large handles have a good chance of falling when hit by next rounds, advantage being bulky handles block their throws as well. Cords of many different fabrics, patterns and colors wrapped around thin metal handles make a pretty knife but not a better throw and if left in these decorations diminish in a hurry.
The Board
All required for the target board is it be permeable allowing knives to stick and of adequate substance stopping them before completely going through or breaking it. Trees cut horizontally work well in different thickness of slices depending on the sizes of knives thrown. Thicker the better for larger knives but become more difficult to hang with cut side facing. Greener is better since dryer logs inevitably crack and penetrations in wet wood seems to mend once sharp metals are pulled out. Aspen and cottonwood work well being softer compared to pine with knots and harder woods like oak make a tough game requiring sharper knives. Larger trees are difficult to come by but desirable since more concentric rings can be drawn on them, outer ring being lesser score increased by increments to the middle “bull”; however different patterns can be drawn similar to dart boards making games more complicated.
It is of interest to put a 4’X8’ piece of plywood behind this target since we inevitably miss occasionally called the “woods” at least three quarter inch to withstand errant blows even hit by handles. Should players stick one or more knives in the woods those are optional and can either be left in or pulled for the next throw depending on the game called such as “Knives” or “Pack High” where all one’s knives must be stuck to win. Because knives are generally purchased in sets of three, those, two sets or something in the middle can be used. Six knives work well for more experienced but disadvantages to lesser since those that don’t stick can be errant, bounce around and hard to find after concentrating on remaining throws. Knives missed, now somewhere on the ground could be better put aside before continuing the turn. Similarly, in games just mentioned, it could be favorable to knock opponent’s high knife out requiring it thrown again or beat it, causing havoc when several knives including your own are cluttered close to the bull and several drop out; hard on knives. Depending on how well everybody’s doing, it might be better to play with three.
History of Weapons
What possibly catapulted people from other species a long time ago was creation of weapons, at first using sticks and stones laying around which technically shouldn’t be defined as such until they began to be modified. Some rocks could be shattered into pieces with edges, those being used to sharpen ends of straight sticks to better defend from predators, hunt and prepare food easier to consume, and so the knife not only became the first weapon but also the earliest tool. As these sharp rocks became better refined and attached to end of spears began the advent of Stone Age civilization. Now advisories and prey could be confronted from further distances defining weapons ever since. Bows and arrows greatly increased this capacity and marked the end of technology for quite some time; until the Bronze Age to be exact.
Rocks impregnated with copper heated high temperatures melt and now mold into blades maybe not as sharp as their predecessors of flint but far more durable and could be fabricated larger defined as swords. The race began to not only make these metals harder and sharper but also more effective by being lighter, beneficial to arrows and spears going farther, easier to carry and faster. Force is equivalent to mass times velocity making lighter swords more effective being faster provided they do not break upon impact with heavier ones. Iron becomes the preferred medium once temperatures could be significantly increased allowing this alloy to melt, refined into steel adding minerals and perfecting heating and cooling techniques. Samurai swords became renowned by being sharp, light and less brittle capable of giving upon impact opposed to breaking. The Samurai also became aware that long blades were of little help once an opponent approached within their reach and came up with a set of three ranging from a full sword to one not much more than a large knife convenient when sparing in close quarters, skills in karate required for hand to hand combat. French finally ended the evolution of swords with Foils. Being extremely thin they do not have blades but makes up for it being able to bend before possibly broken, so light their speeds defy competition and pointy tips able to completely penetrate soft objects.
Pretty much sums it up until the use of explosive chemicals. Not their invention since Alchemy is an ancient Greek word and expanding powers perfected by Chinese, but of little use as weapons until the advent of metals forged to confine charges in particular directions; and the end of honorable confrontation. Although guns greatly facilitate putting game on the table, they also made it possible to relinquish enemies without direct confrontation. This preference of competition continues to the computer era where it is now possible to diminish advisories with drones honed in on cell phones using GPS technologies. Already mentioned knives are the first weapons to evolve and out of others since the only not to be criminalized by modern society because mandatory to prepare family dining. Suppose throwing them can be construed that way, but hardly effective against baseball bats or golf clubs used in American past times. Like baseball, golf and horseshoes this skill requires much practice, dedication and can be done for fun.
Methods of Throwing
Numerous and diversified as occupations previously addressed are nationalities, each with controversial philosophies of and on life and how existence should be approached in perspective. Within geographies and religions everybody has their own interpretation within these boundaries which define overall population. Likewise, differences in types of food preferred range from combinations of vegetables, fruits, herbs, meats and fish and how they are prepared. Out of many utensils accustomed in cooking a knife is universal throughout being also of many types, sizes and methods of service which certainly pertain to throwing them as well.
Zen and Persian guiding principal of precision base on extensive practice until all knives are stuck in target consecutively. Interpretation of throwing according to Dharma might be knives are already stuck in the target and required throwing fulfills destiny. Participating by Tao possibly means you won’t know unless you throw. European and American principles border on throwing to win. Like some of us, it is great to have an Italian meal one day, Mexican food the next maybe followed by Oriental and roast, potatoes, onions with carrots on weekends. Some days might be better to throw with larger knives a little farther back, just as different clubs work better golfing one day to achieve proper distance and accuracy to the flag and others next for some unknown reason. Ideal throws would be for knives sliding out of hand without turning and strike the target by tip from any distance using different kinds and sizes of poniards since those that fall to the ground do not score. Most revolve at least once. Strategy is required for proper rotation. Don’t count on those that spin rapidly.
The Games
In this manner of throwing winner of one game calls the next and the loser decides amount bet on. Points work out nicely if one is having an off day and all can continue to play without relinquishing assets of significant consequence. As in any competitive encounter, keeping score is necessary to determine who wins and can vary widely depending on what’s called next. Although different games and combinations are plentiful allowed by imaginations, here are some to consider.
“Knives” is possibly the simplest, concentric circles drawn on the log assigned numbers with smallest ring in middle of the board called bull’s-eye being the highest score. Players take turns throwing determined amounts of knives counting values of circles stuck until a final amount is achieved. “Daggers” possibly speeds “Knives” up allowing each player to throw more than once each turn. Those stuck not to be pulled out the match quickly reverses if some are knocked out in continuing tosses and it is what it is after the second or third attempts allowed, sometimes making it advantages to relinquish remaining throws in a turn if some stick in the bull. Sitting down can happen by dropping those remaining on the ground but not necessary. “Daggers” can be played where thrown until all assigned knives are stuck and counted but this rule sometimes takes longer. Needless to say, the one who throws first in either game has advantage with one more try to grand total. Making it fair the loser of that game not only calls the bet but also gets to go first in the following gamut. A piece of paper is recommended to write scores on added up by everybody, getting more complicated when memories are trusted. If common six knives are used competitions can be done when all stuck first throw makes a six-pack doubling the board to values being added up. With “Knives” you only get a first throw but also get another turn if someone hasn’t gotten something like a hundred.
After while these two games become repetitious providing players are competitive. Throwing the game takes on a whole new meaning. Possibly considered next are “High Knife” and “Six Pack High”. With volleys that follow there is no need to write down scores, harder to cheat and all in for a last throw. Maybe better to toss with less than six since all somebody’s knives have to be stuck in the target to win. The 4’X8’ thick piece of plywood behind is optional meaning knives there can either be pulled out or left decided by the one sticking. Whether those in the woods can be pulled out and thrown again same turn or next should be agreed before calling or accepting contest, advantageous sometimes in “Six Pack High” since all stuck will take opponents’ closest knife to the bull if theirs are not completely stuck last. Always nice to knock high knives out and stick remainders but this game can go on and on since those can be picked up for another turn. In “High Knife” all knives need not be stuck in the board or woods to win providing one is closest center bullseye; other players throwing but if not closer and stick them all a win since they have no more knives to send through the air providing the high one doesn’t fall out in which case another turn returns to do the same. Going first is of little advantage and once again this game can take a while, particularly when everybody is hitting or sticking center board with knives flying and dropping all around sometimes hard to find and even rough on those left stuck. Good throwers can win without beating knives up although maybe easier to play “Stick Six”, taking turns throwing six until all six are stuck with center target not being significant. Easy tie when woods count.
In “Pullout” all knives are taken from the board and picked up after every turn before others’. In “Six Pack” they all must stick in one throw to win, everybody getting next try to tie. Those in the woods are hardly optional since they either count or don’t and it doesn’t make much sense to pull them if they do. Nice thing about this game is we can only knock our own out and high knife becomes inappropriate with opponents’ drawn there being no fair way to prove highest. Playing pool there is the eight ball and in “Six Pack” if one knife drops might as well stand down to save strength unless remainders are used for practice. Missing the last knife seems equivalent to choking on the eight. “Pullout” becomes more complicated with “One, Two or Three Bulls One Throw”, “Ten Bull Pullout” and “Fifteen Bull, Re-Throw”.
Before attempting to describe these games, how the board is counted should be considered since rings other than the center can also be used making throwing easier, not as likely to knock out taking less time to finish. Concentric circles drawn on the board are seldom done with a fine pencil point which cannot be seen when standing further back. Paint is much broader and can be called entirely for the inner ring, cutting outside no good, completely in paint optional, but usually should pierce inside to count that number. For example, if borders are not used, targets painted instead, that color should be struck or inside it unless green, blue, gold or whatever only counts. Now in place of calling the bull the second or third ring might also become a scoring target. This works well in “Knives and Daggers” when keeping score. To continue, the center most rings agreed upon must be cut, questionable when in shaded borders contestants considering good enough.
Sometimes beneficial to use more knives during “One, Two or Three Bulls One Throw” since, just as the name implies, there is only one turn to do it. However, if two or three need to be stuck in a designated bull those that fall out do not count or re-thrown. If not achieved, all are pulled and the turn revolves to other persons. In “One Bull One Throw”, needless to say, knocking out is not an issue. Maybe more knives used the better but this sport starts to become fun when done with one. Ten is an ambiguous number in “Ten Bull Pullout” just as the number of knives to play. In this encounter ones stuck in the center are pulled out and set aside before pitching others adding bulls up. This relieves damage to blades otherwise in close proximity and knocking out is again alleviated. Unless the amount of knives used are more or at least equivalent to the total amount to win it is impossible to do in one turn and again requires a kept score, although not as complicated until one or some reach the final goal. “Fifteen Bull, Re-Throw” is an interesting game since a qualifying knife can not only be pulled out but tossed again same turn. What makes re-throw fascinating is it can be won using fewer than fifteen and theoretically done with one knife sticking the target consecutively that many times. It is difficult using six much less a couple in a try, adding points in mind. This bout can go quickly. Making tying score fifty extends time to play.
Description of games can go on and on as better throwing expands collective imaginations. Lets’ wrap it up with “Last Knife”. The last knife hurtled is a bummer when missed, losing tie similar to choking on the eight ball in pool which would be different if guys and gals have an opportunity to draw, hard to do when the object ball sinks in the pocket. Spotting the eight ball becomes open to much debate and complicated depending on where the cue ball sits if not scratched. “Last Knife” is like “Six Pack Two Throw” and “Six Pack Three Throw” in which knives missed or knocked out can be tossed several times, harder when some need stick bull, woods optional. In this game, they can be picked-up and re-thrown counting the times it takes to hammer them all until last knife which must stick or relinquish turn with no score. “Last Knife” is good practice but a bummer to scratch. Sticking the last knife is probably harder than the first since board now cluttered requires skills to miss those in there. If some knock out; no longer last knife but continue throwing. This game’s not so much competition as sticking them all, sitting down, and enjoying competitors’ attempts.
In Conclusion
Hobbies, talents and activities are countless and although we can do them all too some extent, we certainly cannot master everything bordered by others doing somethings better. A good writer might not necessarily perform a song or play written as others doing them and they might not be really good writers limited by natural abilities, desire and time taken to practice although it helps to have an understanding of the trade. Suppose the trick is to pick a few talents and pursue them. There is certainly a big difference between wanting to do somethings and making a living at it. Lucrative careers might be possible in baseball and golf, but unfortunately throwing horseshoes and knives don’t have much of a following. Pool isn’t bad.
We must use knives one extent or the other preparing meals, consuming them, not to mention many other tasks and can consistently be found in kitchens, on the table and garages. They have regularly been used as a means of self-defense, probably not as effective as martial arts in close combat but throwing them from a little farther back stand a good chance and against guns which must be sighted properly, loaded and can miss fire. Although not necessary to stick knives, hitting anyway will cause deterrence, but it helps.
Practice makes perfect and in controlled environments throwing knives can be recreational with much satisfaction when they penetrate. Hope you have fun.
Steve Eberling @ www.thndrsns.com
