| From cowboys and Indians to terrorists and | | | | Once you have your knife, go outside and find a |
| special operators, one of Hollywood's most | | | | target (a stump works well). When you throw a |
| enduring tropes is a skillfully thrown knife. The TV | | | | knife, it spins, so you want to choose the correct |
| actors always make it look easy, but if you have | | | | distance from your target so that the point is |
| ever tried to actually throw a knife and make it | | | | forward on impact. The distance will be different |
| stick into a target, you know that the reality is | | | | for everyone, so you'll need to experiment, but |
| about as different from the fantasy as you can | | | | around nine feet from the target is a good |
| imagine. This how-to will guide you through the | | | | starting point. |
| knife-throwing process, from selecting a good | | | | You can hold the knife either by the blade or by |
| knife to how to release it so that it actually does | | | | the handle, but make sure that you have a firm |
| stick into the target. | | | | grip. If you are throwing with your right hand, |
| First, a word of caution. Knife throwing is a fun | | | | have your left foot forward. Bring your arm back |
| sport, and with practice, you can become quite | | | | behind your head and then forward, shifting your |
| accurate, but always remember that you are | | | | weight to your lead foot as you do. When your |
| neither Rambo nor the knife-thrower at the | | | | arm is level with the target, release the knife as |
| circus. Getting hit with even the handle of a flying | | | | smoothly as possible, and then keep your arm |
| knife can send you to the hospital or worse, so | | | | pointing at the target. This follow-through is very |
| never try to throw near another person or animal | | | | important. |
| and always make sure that you know what is | | | | In all likelihood, your first throw, or even your first |
| behind your target. | | | | dozen throws, will bounce off the target and onto |
| Before you can start throwing, you are going to | | | | the ground. Don't be discouraged! The key here is |
| need a knife. It is recommended that you use a | | | | perseverance. Knife-throwing is difficult and it can |
| knife made especially for throwing, since an | | | | be tedious at times, but it is also be one of the |
| ordinary knife will not be balanced and was not | | | | most satisfying sports out there. Just keep on |
| designed for the unique stresses associated with | | | | trying, don't give up, and before too long you'll |
| throwing. If you can't get a throwing knife, at | | | | hear that wonderful "thunk" as the knife bites into |
| least try to use a fixed-blade as opposed to a | | | | the target. |
| folder. | | | | |