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Ever imagined yourself in a ninja avatar throwing those shuriken and small knives (Kunai) away at the vigilantes with inhuman precision? Well, if you’ve not, you need some severe dose of imaginative pills. Throwing knives are one of the coolest and most effective weapons to carry around.
Even if you don’t have to fight crime using a throwing knife, there are ample of applications where you can use it. Throwing knives of premium quality are certainly not for people with a weak stomach, and you certainly don’t want to be playing around with them as well. A good quality throwing knife with their preposterous sharpness and distinct precision can inflict some severe scars if not appropriately handled.
Unless you have a military or even some kind of samurai or ninja background, using a throwing knife can become difficult. The best option is to consider what and where you want to use the throwing knife for and choose the ideal product.
It is also of utmost significance to understand how to choose the ideal blade. Merely buying a throwing knife because it looks stylish and has sharp edges is not a logical purchase by far. You need to look for some specific features and compare them to your practical requirements to ensure the ideal investment.
Throwing knives buying guide
Like many other ordinary products, the availability of throwing knives too has become easily accessible and excess in number. If you go out in the market looking for a suitable blade, you will be shocked at the mere availability of options.
[acf field=”schema”]Here are some of the key specifications to look out for.
1. Weight and length
The primary indication of any good quality throwing knife is the perfect balance between its weight and height. A balanced proportion of these two components ensures the weight is distributed uniformly throughout the length of the blade. This, in turn, ensures optimum precision for whatever application you may require.
2. Material
The material of the blade is the critical factor in determining its durability. Unless you’re buying a throwing knife for one-time use, you would certainly want it to have a robust and sturdy construction suitable for different applications. Most throwing blades are made of stainless steel, and some premium ones are constructed from high carbon steel, which ensures optimum durability.
3. Aerodynamics
Combine all the features that contribute to the ultimate performance of the blade, and the outcome you’ll get is its aerodynamic capacity. Your throwing knife might as well have all the high-end features, but with a poor aerodynamic design, it will be more than useless.
The aerodynamic design will decide how well your throwing knife will perform. A fancy knife with irregular design may not be able to travel or fly with excellent precision when you throw it at a specific target. A lightweight and straightforward knife has the ideal aerodynamic design and ensures a good flight as well.
4. Handle grip
The way you throw the blade will ultimately decide the precision with which it hits the target. The more comfortable your knife handle grip – the better you can release the module; hence, ensuring optimum accuracy.
There are various options of handle grip you can choose from such as –
- Cord-covered grip – it is a stylish option but is susceptible to wear and tear.
- Wooden grip – well polished finish and provides a good grip and ensures a good weight, but they are prone to cracks.
- Rubber/ plastic handles – they do not contribute much to the performance of the blade but are cheaper than most handle materials.
- Custom handles – You can customize the handle grip to your ideal requirement to ensure optimum performance.
5. Price
Pricing is always a relevant aspect, irrespective of what type of products you want to purchase. Looking for a cheap purchase option is not still ideal, as they may come with their fair share of limitations. However, you also should avoid spending a considerable chunk of your pocket for a product that over-exceeds your requirements as well.
The best option is to always look for a product with an ideal price: quality ratio to ensure the smartest purchase.
Here are 15 of the best throwing knives you can buy in the market at present.
1. Whetstone Cutlery (12 piece set)
The whetstone Cutlery is one of the best throwing knives you can buy on Amazon right now. It may not be as high-end as other throwing knife products, but it is one the best value for money blade you can buy. It is especially suitable for people who are just starting their throwing knife venture.
The design is also efficient with a hollow butt design and full tang cord wrapped handle design to ensure optimum grip. The knife also features black stainless steel construction for the main face of the blade. The knife has an ergonomic double edge blade design with two rectangular (ish) holes near the bolster. The simple design ensures the functional aerodynamic capacity of the blade.
The unit comes with a total of 12 Special Forces (S-Force) kunai knives. Each knife has a dimension of 6.5″ x 0.4″ x 1.” The blade weighs about 1.35 pounds (0.6 kg), which is relatively lightweight and is 3.126 inches long.
The Whetstone Cutlery also comes with a nylon carrying case that can fit all 12 kunai knives simultaneously. This is one of the rare additions that even some higher-priced products do not offer. The dimension of the carrying case is 4.75″ x 8.12″ x 1.5.”
2. Smith and Wesson Bulls Eye Throwing Knife Set
Okay, if you’re in the market looking for a new set of throwing knives, this product is probably one of the most common recommendations you will get from everybody. And yes, it lives up to its positive reputation. The brand name Smith and Wesson is enough to convince you of the high quality of these throwing knives.
The knife has an all-body stainless steel construction, which contributes to its extremely sleek and streamlined design. The handle does not come with any grip assistance, so it may not be ideal for newbies. But, for someone who is used to throwing knives around, this design ensures optimum aerodynamic capability.
The knife has a double edge spear point design with three strategic cutouts to ensure equilibrium weight distribution. This Smith and Wesson set come with six throwing knife set. Each knife has a dimension of 8” x 1.5” x 0.2″ and weighs about 1 pound (0.4 kg), which is considered a lightweight unit.
Even though the throwing knives are made from stainless steel material, they are extremely durable and sturdier as compared to other units with identical construction. This is essentially due to the usage of a reliable 2Cr13 S.S graded material instead of the usual stainless steel.
3. Perfect point PAK-712-12
The perfect point 712-12 throwing knife set is amongst those few products that ensure you get the most out of your expenditures. This throwing knife set comes with a ridiculous number of 12 blades, which is twice the number of what most brands offer at this price segment. Six of those knives are silver polished, and the other six are of back stainless steel finishing.
This throwing knife ditches the concept of double edge blades and sticks with the traditional single edge design. The blade is constructed with stainless steel material and only has a single punch hole on the butt to ensure maximum convenience when carrying it around.
Overall the design is uncomplicated and necessary; some may even call it dull, but what’s important is that it gets the job done. The knife provides a balanced throw, which is the main priority.
Each knife measures 8.5” in length and weighs about 3.13 oz, which is exceptionally lightweight. This throwing knife is best suited for people who have a tight budget and are also relatively new to throwing knives. It’s simple and straightforward design makes it extremely easy to handle and also ensures the blade to stick to the target instead of bouncing back.
The unit also includes a nylon bag to store all the 12 throwing blades simultaneously, which is a convenient addition and another pocket saving feature.
4. SOG Throwing Knives
If you’re looking for something that is both practical and stylish, the SOG throwing knife is your ideal pick. SOG is another brand name you can trust blindfolded when it comes to any types of knives (kitchen or throwing).
The SOG throwing knife has a black stainless steel finish with a single edge design. It is significantly bulkier than most conventional throwing knives, but not that big to prevent you from slipping it in your pocket as well. Due to its unique design and bolder physique, it somehow provides a Rambo knife (ish) vibes.
It is an excellent blade for throwing as well as utilizing it for normal kitchen usage as well. The clip point design may feel a little awkward for throwing initially, but once you get used to it, it provides a stable throwing precision.
The handle design of the knife may be a subjective element. The two distinct cutouts with a para-cord wrapped design make it suitable for carrying it around and provide one of the best gripping experiences for a throwing knife. But it may come in the way of ensuring a good throw as well. This is why it is not suitable for beginners as well.
However, this design ensures uniform weight distribution, so it’s all for the best if you can get the hang of it.
5. Avias knife supply Ninja Konoha
Fan of naruto? If yes, then, well, things couldn’t have been more perfect for you. The Avias throwing knife is designed specifically for those anime enthusiasts, naruto in specific. The knives have the signature Konoha symbol from Naruto’s headgear embedded just above the bolster. So, if you want to teleport yourself to the imaginary land of Naruto and still have fun with your throwing knives, the Avias ninja knife is your ideal pick.
However, keeping all that fantasy aside, the Avias throwing knife is one of the cheapest options you can find in the market. The blades are made up of stainless steel with chorded handles for maximum grip and also a ring design at the bottom. The knife has a double edge design with an extremely pointy tip.
The build quality is reasonably sturdy, and it has a significantly lightweight feel to it as well. One of the unique features of this blade is that it is available in different color coating options. One specific option comes with a rainbow coating finish, which provides a one-of-a-kind aesthetic experience.
The knife has the dimension of 6.5” x 1” x 0.5” and measures 6.5” which means it is shorter than most conventional throwing knives in the market. It also weighs only about 6.2 ounces (0.17 kg). This promotes a great length to weight ratio and ensures good precision.
6. United Cutlery Expendables Kunai Throwing Knives
The term expendables is a tribute to the blockbuster Hollywood action movie. The knife design is based on the throwing knives that were used in the movie. So, it’s more like a collectible purchase in addition to using it for your throwing practice as well.
The United Cutlery has an all-black body with an AUS-6 graded stainless finish and construction. The quality is far superior to the usual stainless steel material. Hence, the knife feels sturdy and durable, and the entire unit seems well-put-together. The all-black finish also promotes a significant, bold appearance.
The knife has a dimension of 12” x 4” x 2” and measures 12” in length, making it one of the longest throwing knives in the market. The knife weighs only about 7 ounces (0.2 kg), which makes it extremely easy to handle and throw despite its extended length. The blade has a double edge design with a para-cord-wrapped handle and a ring design at the bottom.
The overall weight distribution of the knife is excellent and well-balanced. The knife also features a simple and ergonomic design to ensure optimum aerodynamics while throwing it a target. The unit also comes with a nylon belt with a leg strap to provide maximum convenience for carrying it around.
7. SOG Classic Throwing Knife Set
If you want something that can do some severe damage with no shenanigans, the SOG classic throwing knife is your ideal blade. This throwing knife means serious business, and that’s all it cares about.
The knife has a stainless steel construction, but instead of the usual material, it makes use of a 3Cr13MoV satin-polished finishing that provides a more durable and sturdy frame. This ensures the knife to withstand any surface with ease. The blade has a double edge and a spear point tip design to allow superior precision when you throw it at a designated target. Overall, the plan is slender and fits ideally in your hands.
It is designed strategically with sharp edges near the tip and becomes blunt as it approaches the tang or the handle. The tang itself is fully wrapped in a thick camouflaged para-cord to assure the most beautiful grip and elevate the aesthetic feature as well. The tang also has a cutout design to ensure proper weight distribution to the blade part of the knife.
The blade has a dimension of 9.5” x 0.4” x 1.7” and weighs just over 5.4 ounces (0.15 kg), making it another of the most lightweight knives in the market as well. It is almost perfect for use in any conditions such as hunting, camping, or just your usual knife throwing practice.
8. Magnum Bailey Ziel Throwing Knife
Magnum, as apparent by the name, is on one of the best throwing knives you can purchase if you’re solely dedicated to participating in throwing venture. The blade screams lethal as soon as you set your eyes on it. If you care too much about the aesthetic features and focus on getting hold of a decent and simple dagger, this is your poison to pick.
The design of the magnum Bailey throwing knife is as simple as you can fathom. The entire blade is constructed from a 420 stainless steel material. The polished silver finishing extends throughout the whole structure. The tang of the knife does not feature any chorded wrapping and, thus, it feels light and natural when you hold it and throw as well.
The knife has a double edge design with a convincingly sharp and pointy tip to ensure it sticks to the target with a persuasive force. The blade has subtle design elements that contribute to its aesthetic features.
The main face of the knife has a semi-cutout design, unlike the usual transparent cutout design, as you see in other conventional knives. There are also four circle semi-cutouts on the handle as well. The knife has a dimension of 6” x 1” x 1” and weighs just over 13.6 ounces or 0.39 kg. The weight to length ratio is excellent and provides consistent good throws almost every time.
9. Cold steel Torpedo Thrower
Looking for something quirky and unconventional? Look no further – the cold steel torpedo throwing knife is as unorthodox as it can get. You can’t even call it a throwing knife. Technically, it’s a smaller version of a torpedo; but with zero explosions (of course). For many people, this thrower will turn out to be a difficult task; but once you get the knack of it, the fun element it brings to the table is significant.
There isn’t much to say about the design aspect of this unique throwing knife. The entire structure is constructed using stainless steel but has a black gradient finishing. The blade has impressive durability and sturdiness as well, at least better than the conventional knife design.
The unit features a double tip design. So, your chances of hitting a target are twice time better than the usual knives as well. What’s interesting about this unit is that it hits the target with a powerful force if you can land it right. The entire design of the knife may look fancy or just gimmicky, but it does not joke around with its performance.
The knife, aka torpedo, has a dimension of 15” x 1” x 1” and weighs about 2 pounds (0.9 kg). This is where all that force is generated from. For a novice thrower, this knife does not fall under the recommendation list, but for a regular thrower, this is a must-try.
10. United Cutlery GH2011 Gil Hibben Throwing Knife
The united cutlery Gil Hibben throwing knife is one of the most popular choices amongst the knife enthusiasts. And one can see why this blade has obtained such a popular reputation. United Cutlery as a brand has created a niche for themselves in the market for manufacturing some of the most unique and high performing throwing knives.
The GH2011 throwing blade is no exception. It prioritizes performance, and that is precisely what you get out of it. The knife is constructed using the standard 420 stainless steel, which is reasonably durable, and also, the ergonomic design ensures a well-balanced structure. The entire body has a silver steel finish with no cord wrapping on the handle. But the trigger grip design provides a firm holding position.
The knife has a semi-double edge design, where the sharpness of the edge is more pronounced than on the spine side. A small cutout is present on the butt of the knife to make it easy for carrying it around.
The blades have the dimension of 8.8” x 3.4” x 1.4” and weighs about 15.8 ounces or 0.45 kg. They are not as lightweight as other products, but again that plays a big role in ensuring maximum performance on hitting the target. The unit also comes with a heavy-duty nylon sheath as well.
11. Perfect Point Thunder Bolt Throwing Knife Set
This is again another excellent and capable throwing knife you can obtain at a shallow price point. The ThunderBolt throwing knife edition from Perfect Point is distinctly stylish and highly practical as well. So, you do not have to worry about sacrificing any of those features for a low price tag.
The blade is constructed from stainless steel, and the design has two-tone finishing. The majority of the knife has a black-steel finishing while the bottom and top edges have a pronounced silver stainless steel finishing. The silver finishing helps the sharp edges, and the tip stands out and convinces you of its serious performance capacity.
The majority of the weight is concentrated on the tip side while the handle does not take up much of it. This ensures a superior striking force if you can adequately land the knife. In the hands of an expert thrower, the blade may seem a bit unbalanced, but for the price, you cannot get better than this.
This knife is also extremely lightweight, and the design is super slim. The dimension of the blade is 2.2″ x 0.9″ x 7.2″ and weighs just about 5 pounds or 0.14 kg, making it tremendously easy for handling even for kids.
12. Cold Steel True Flight Thrower
Remember the torpedo thrower that was mentioned earlier in the list? Well, this True Flight Thrower comes from the same manufacturing hub. It’s almost impossible to get out of the Cold Steel loop once you get the kick out of their unique and elegant throwing knife products.
The True Flight thrower sticks with the conventional knife design without any fancy elements. But it does it so gracefully; you cannot help but admire how the entire unit is put together. The design of the thrower is sleek and practical. It is constructed with 1055 carbon steel, which is a notch above the usual stainless steel material, both in terms of durability and performance as well.
The entire body of the knife is finished in black carbon steel, giving the thrower a bolder character. The blade has a single edge design, and the handle is wrapped in paracord as well to ensure maximum grip for comfort throw. With the overall length of 12”(6.75” for blade) and a weight of 1.2 pounds or 0.5 kg, the knife provides exceptional weight distribution for ensuring a balanced throw every time.
The unit also comes with a premium quality Cordura sheath, which is again a step ahead from your usual nylon sheath. It is designed for heavy-duty and optimum durability. Everything about this thrower screams quality.
13. Smith and Weston SWTK8BCP Throwing Knives
Smith and Weston are best valued for their high-quality knife products at a reasonable price range, and this throwing knife follows that tradition. This knife provides all the standard features you require from a proper throwing unit, but with a much lower price tag.
The knife features a double edge design with a black stainless steel finishing on both the blade and the handle portion as well. The construction of the module is exceptionally sturdy and rigid as it is manufactured from 2Cr13 S.S graded steel, instead of the natural material.
The edges of the blade and the pointed tip are convincingly sharp and thick to withstand any impact on hitting the designated target. The knife also has a strategic laser-cut design on the blade, the handle, and the area where the bolster is usually present. These cutout designs help the knife to distribute equal weight throughout the body of the unit to ensure a balanced throw. This makes it an ideal throwing knife for both newbies and professionals as well.
The knife is designed with the ultimate ergonomic purpose to ensure a reasonable flight time and also for comfort grip and release as well. The handle does not come with any cord wrapping design to ensure optimal throwing efficiency.
The unit measures 8" in length and weighs just about 4.1 ounces (0.12 kg), which makes it feather-light.
14. United Cutlery Gil Hibben Cord Grip
Gill Hibben is one of the most repeated names you will hear when you go out shopping for your ideal throwing knife. This is essentially due to the kind of high-end quality products they deliver to the consumers. If you need a perfect throwing knife with minimal design distractions, this knife is your best option.
The knife features an all-black stainless steel finishing, except for minor silver finishing on the edge of the blade and the tip as well. The design of the sword is as straightforward as it can get and stays true to the traditional model of the conventional kitchen knife. The handle has a suitable and evenly distributed cord wrapping to ensure maximum grip without getting too much in the way of throwing as well.
They are also constructed from a 420 J2 stainless steel, which is of a much more superior and durable quality as compared to the pure steel material. A laser punch hole at the bottom allows you to tie a ribbon on it for an aesthetic feature.
The entire knife has a well-thought-out design to provide good aerodynamic and ensure the best-balanced throws.
15. Condor Tool and Knife, Wing Throwing Knife set
Okay, so the last product in the list is the Condor throwing knife. And No, it is not just a filler to end the list. This is one of the most distinctive and impressive knives in this entire list. Everything about this throwing knife feels weird and unconventional (in the most positive way).
The knife has an extremely sleek design aimed at providing optimum comfort while holding and releasing it as well. The blade is constructed using 1075 high carbon steel, which is miles ahead of the usual stainless steel materials used in other regular throwing knives. This Condor throwing knife does not joke around with its sharpness and performance as well. It has a double edge design with some severe sharpness and precision edges and tip – hands down one of the best performing knife. The knife has an epoxy black coating finish to add more rigidity and durability to the unit. The weight distribution is also excellent and provides a capable and well-balanced throw irrespective of the distance.
The knife can penetrate through thick layers of brick for all you know. The knife has the overall dimension of 10” x 1.5” x 3.5” and weighs 0.45 kg. This relatively heavyweight contributes significantly to the penetrating capacity.
How to Properly Throw a Knife
Throwing a knife is a delicate art. Your mother has been warning you since you were a toddler to never mess with a sharp object, and a knife more than qualifies to be enlisted under that category.
If you want to avoid getting unnecessary cuts and execute your throwing technique efficiently, here are some of the critical tips to follow.
- Choose the right knife
Get a knife that feels right when you hold it. A big knife makes it hard to toss it around, while an extreme lightweight also makes it unsuitable for obtaining the required precision. The tip of the blade should also be sharp-pointed if you want it to stick to the target firmly. However, for a newbie, a slightly blunt tip is better to ensure additional safety measures.
- Start with the basics
Don’t just blindly throw the knives at a specific target. Countless things can go wrong if you do that. If you have just started your throwing venture, start with a medium distance and a destination that can absorb the force optimally like a live wood plank. This allows the knife to stick to the goal even if you don’t execute the throwing technique properly, as opposed to bouncing back and potentially hurting yourself.
- Learn the right technique
There are specific minor techniques in throwing a knife that goes a long way in enhancing your throwing skills.
- ✓ Ensure your body is firm and rock-solid to avoid any unnecessary movements that can result in inconsistent throwing techniques.
- ✓ Hold the knife on the end where the majority of the weight is concentrated. If your knife has a massive blade, hold it on that side and vice-versa.
- ✓ Stand straight and keep your right foot slightly forward (if you’re right-handed) and vice-versa for left-hand throwers.
- ✓ For a half-spin throw, you need to hold the knife in a vertical position (with the handle facing the sky) at a reasonably medium distance and release it with a moderate force.
- ✓ For a full spin throw, the ideal range is about 10-11 ft. This time hold the knife with the blade facing the sky and release the module with a moderate force.
As of 2021, outdoor trends providing 15 best professional throwing knives reviews and buying guide.