flatlander said:
Do any of you train with throwing knives? If so, can you reccommend any particular brand? I've played with them a bit, but I find that they break pretty easily. As well, any training tips? What about axes, anybody ever throw these around?
I have been throwing knives and tomahawks for a spell, a backyard hobby and something to do at camp while out hunting. My favorites (and toughest) tools in my collection are my "buckskinner" style throwing knife and my "Hudson Bay" design Tomahawk. I had these custom made by a local smitty/buckskinner I used to haggle with at gunshows in Oregon. Unfortunately he doesn't have a webpage that I know of and I don't think he would appreciate me giving out his address- if I knew it off the top of my head.
I would recommend what are called "Trade Tools" as throwers. These seem to emphasis "tough and durable" rather than good looks and prim, so it makes them a little more trustworthy when hucking them at a target. For a throwing knife I would always recommend a "Buckskinner" style . This is a simple design: Thick piece of plate steel with leather handles secured by brass rivets and filed edge. I have put mine through hell and back, and the thing keeps on going. For a Tomahawk I would recommend a Hudson Bay design or Spanish design with a hickory handle. The French design is OK, however I find them a little weak as they tend to be narrow and petal shaped. Avoid anything "piecepipe" as they tend to ruin quickly and I would recommend a thick to medium handle.
Personally, I find that smaller outfits that produce buckskinner style equipment have the finest quality and most durable goods, I would sincerely avoid anything from Cold Steel, IMHO they are a little weak in the knees for these type of things, albeit they make some very nice knives. SO far I have ruined 2 cold steel tomahawks as they tend to bend and loose their tempering and break frequently after multiple throws. General knife steel, say 440B or 440C ARE NOT best material to make these out of as it is unreliable under these conditions. While they are good for knives because they sharpen and hold an edge, they will break under duress and especially in this case.I recommend high carbon- which is the best, I have found, for throwing and is designed just for this purpose. However, if you just HAVE to have stainless, I would recommend a 420 rating above any others- it's strong and is best suited for this purpose.
One of the most complete lists on the internet for Tomahawks is Ragweed Forge:
http://www.ragweedforge.com/ThrowingCatalog.html
(scroll down a little, he has a buckskinner style knife for sale)
If you wanted to spend a little money, RMJ forge has some of the most functional and beautiful knives and tomahawks around:
http://www.rmjforge.com/
These links should get you started on knives:
http://www.knifethrowing.info/
http://www.commonlogic.com/knife/index.htm
http://www.sonic.net/~quine/knifepics.html
http://www.ironpost.com/catalog/default.asp
Here are two good pages on making targets:
http://www.commonlogic.com/knife/throwing/targets/targets.htm
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/beard/tomahawk_targets.htm
Personally, back home in Oregon I use a giant oak stump back and a dogwood tree I have been torturing for about 23 years. Simple natural targets seem to work for me but I guess not everyone has access to those things....and trees aren't good to throw at unless you have something against them.
Nifty links on basic throwing methods
Knives:
http://www.quine.home.sonic.net/howthrow2.html
Axes/Tomahawk:
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/axe/axe_throwing.htm
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/beard/throw_tomahawk.htm
As the axiom goes :
"Easy to Learn.....Hard to Master."