Throwing Knives & Axes
Short version: start with a set of three matched throwing knives and a softwood target, and stand far enough back that the knife makes one full turn. An axe is easier to stick for most beginners. We carry Cold Steel, Smith & Wesson Bullseye, Ruko and Rite Edge.
Keep going
Throwing knives
A throwing knife is built to hit wood over and over, so it is one solid piece with no handle scales to crack and a point made to stick. Heavier, longer knives turn more slowly in the air and are more forgiving while you learn your distance. Buy a set. You will throw three and walk once, instead of walking after every throw.
Cold Steel makes the most models here, including the True Flight, the Pro Flight Sport, throwing knives and throwing spikes. Rite Edge offers a 9.75 inch thrower and a 10 inch Pro Thrower, and Ruko sells a 3-piece set.
Throwing axes
An axe has a wide edge, so it sticks across a broader range of distances than a knife. That makes it the easier place to start, and it is the same skill people practice at axe-throwing bars. The Smith & Wesson Bullseye Pro throwing axe is built for it.
Setting up a target
A thick round of softwood cut across the grain is the classic target. End grain holds the point and takes years of hits. Set it at chest height with nothing behind it you care about, keep everyone behind the thrower and pull knives only when everyone is done throwing.
Throwing knife FAQs
What is the best throwing knife for beginners?
A matched set of longer, heavier knives. They rotate slowly and give you more room for error.
Should I start with knives or an axe?
An axe sticks more easily, so most people get hits sooner with an axe. Knives take more practice to dial in your distance.
Do throwing knives need to be sharp?
The point matters more than the edge. A good point sticks in the target. A sharp edge mostly makes them harder to handle.