Knife throwing Distance ??.

[Nessmuck56]

Am going to a black powder shoot soon and was wondering how many feet back from the target you should be for the knife throwing event and is the tomahawk the same distance ?. Thanks

 

[yadkin]

about 9 average steps around 15 feet aprox. you will find your distance within a couple of feet either way.

 

[Birdman]

I'm only 5'4"--- for the knife I usually stand with my back against the target block n take about 5 1/2 paces, for the hawk I'll step 7 times. both are approxamate disstences to get a single full turn for what your throwing, ya may have to move a little either way to find "your" distance. watch what your throwing n see how it hits the block. One of the biggest things is the actual throw, try to throw exactly as hard(the same speed) each time, if your having problems ask somebody there to give you a hand n maybe some advice on how to improve. Believe me they will be more then happy to show a newby the ropes. hahaha and don't be afraid to ask a young kid, them little buggers can realy throw n often are pretty good teachers. Have fun n enjoy it, oh yea, that adage of aim small hit small can make a difference too, pick a real small sopt n try to hit that, not just the block. Your brain will for some reasonwill automaticly aim for the center of the block all the time.By picking a small spot other then center you really will be aiming n throwing to hit a particular target, most events use playing cards at different spots on the block as targets so try to get used to hitting areas of that size., Hope this helps some YMHS Birdman

 

[S.Kenton]

ALL of what Birdman says...plus..PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! I normally throw the knife at 5-1/2 paces and the toss the hawk at 6.

 

[crockett]

Don't throw a good knife- you can snap the tip off of it. Throw knives designed for throwing.

 

[Sperit de bois]

Don't throw the knife anyway,if your only fifteen feet away,run up and stab them.You throw it and miss.or it doesn't hit point first,.now I have your only/last chance to win,,,you loose..Never under stupid the idea to throw a knife,must be a Manly thing.
I know it's all about raw meat,hairy chest,gerrrr,just never come to me as a good idea.
Am I being to practical???????

 

[Howls at the Moon]

I learned from two of the very best knife and hawk throwers in the county. They have both passed on. Both were inducted into the knife throwers hall of fame in 2003. Iron Post and Dan D. Both were very fine knife throwers and knife makers and thats who I learned from.
I would start at 5 paces and adjust from there. You might have to move either forward or backward 1/2 step or so. If your handle hits first backup about 1/2 step and try again. Also watch how your tip sticks up or down and you'll have top adjust about 6 inches or so. Have fun and it is all in distance and speed. You don't have to throw the knife hard to get it to stick you just have to do it the same each and every time. Have fun and practice, practice, practice.
Howls

 

[Nessmuck56]

I have 3 throwing knives with leather grips and a hawk and have thrown many years ago,and could not remember the distance.But thanks everyone for the replys.

 

[rafterob]

Something to pass the idle time in camp. I can't imagine anyone back in the day willingly throwing their knife or tomahawk away.

 

[S.Kenton]

I was told it a " test of skill" at the Rondys'. Much as it is today...

 

[Claude Mathis]

Never under stupid the idea to throw a knife,must be a Manly thing.
I know it's all about raw meat,hairy chest,gerrrr,just never come to me as a good idea.
Am I being to practical???????

It's no different than target shooting or bull riding. It's fun. :wink:

 

[simeon england]

Technically there is no set standard. As said before, its different based on how you throw. BUT, a good rule of thumb is 7 steps for hawk, and one or a bit more for the knife closer to the target.
The trick is to be consistant, even if your missing. If your missing the same way all the time, thats good and all thats needed is to adjust your distance closer or further way in 1/2 step increments at a time.

My needs and wants for historical camping have taken me away from throwing, but I still enjoy it every now and then when I can throw someone elses blades at camps where theres targets.

 

[Sperit de bois]

Your only 5'4",,,, everyone's legs are the same length,if your 7' or 5 '
They go from your butt to the ground!!!!!! something to think about. :rotf: :idunno:

 

[Claude Mathis]

Technically there is no set standard. As said before, its different based on how you throw.

Agreed. Being consistent is the key IMO.

Most right-handed guys put their left foot forward when they throw, some put the right. Some take a step forward, some don't.

I'm right handed and I throw a hawk the same way I pitch - One step forward with left foot and lean into the target. Don't try to "flip" or spin the hawk, just let it slip out of your hand.

 

[Nessmuck56]

When I throw a knife or hawk, '( righty) I have my right foot forward, works for me !!

 

[Deadeye]

Left foot forward but remember that at some Rondys they tell you where to throw from and sometime how many turns your knife or hawk has to turn before sticking and at one Rondy the target comes down a wire, fast, right at you. You barely have time to throw it before it stops right in front of you and no throwing after it stops, some are sideways and spin, some flip up out of the ground, lots of different ways.
Deadeye

 

[CrackStock]

Don't throw the knife anyway,if your only fifteen feet away,run up and stab them.You throw it and miss.or it doesn't hit point first,.now I have your only/last chance to win,,,you loose..Never under stupid the idea to throw a knife,must be a Manly thing.
I know it's all about raw meat,hairy chest,gerrrr,just never come to me as a good idea.
Am I being to practical???????

So all the people throughout time who threw edged weapons at the enemy were fools? Many cultures created throwing axes, spears and knives adapted for throwing. Vikings in particular, seemed to like a belt full of throwing axes.

I might well throw a spare item at an advancing enemy before battling with my primary weapon. But you might also throw at a fleeing enemy or at an enemy taking aim at a comrade.

As to technique, I like to throw similar to a baseball pitch - step into the throw. I have used the technique described on Spence's website, but prefer the stepping in method.

CS

 

[greggholmes]

Yep, i throw pretty much like a baseball.

 

[George]

I can't imagine anyone back in the day willingly throwing their knife or tomahawk away.

That seems logical, to me. But, maybe if you are actually fighting for your life your attitude changes.

Samuel Dale described one time it did happen, in an Indian fight in two canoes, quoted in “The Life and times of Gen. Sam Dale, the Mississippi partisan”, by John Francis Hamtramck Claiborne:

“As the two boats approached, one of them hurled his scalping knife at me. It pierced the boat through and through, just grazing my thigh as it passed. The next moment the canoes came in contact.”

Tomahawks, too:

Rev. Dr. Joseph Doddridge, "Notes on the Settlements and Indian Wars of the Western Parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania from 1763 to 1783"

"The Indian then threw his tomahawk at his head but missed him;"

"The South-Carolina GAZETTE
September 13, 1760

At day light Mr. Miln, with the negro Abram, went in pursuit of the deserter as far as Twelve-mile river; but not overtaking him there, returned; and as they were crossing Crow-Creek, which is very near the fort, they were fired at by three Indians, who shot one of Abram's boots through and his horse under him, and as he fell threw a tomahawk which struck him on the back;"

Spence

 

[TexiKan]

Not sure if your range specifies NMLRA hawk rules but we have learned some guys cut their hawk handle rather short, thus achieving one revolution at a much shorter distance. NMLRA rules state the minimum distance should be 10 feet. Guess the enforcement of this varies.