Throwing Knives

Throwing Knives

Throwing knives are fixed-blade knives designed and balanced for rotational or no-spin throwing at a target, built with a full tang (a single piece of steel from blade tip to pommel), dull edges, a sharpened point, and a center of gravity calibrated for consistent rotation during flight. There are 3 categories of throwing knives by balance type: blade-heavy knives that rotate faster and stick at shorter distances, handle-heavy knives that rotate slower and require longer throwing distances, and center-balanced knives that rotate at a consistent rate for predictable half-spin and full-spin techniques. Throwing knives serve 3 primary uses: recreational target throwing, organized competition through the World Knife Throwing League (WKTL) and the International Knife Throwers Hall of Fame (IKTHOF), and skill-building practice for hand-eye coordination and distance estimation. This guide covers the best throwing knives for beginners, throwing knife brands and collections from WKTL, Knife Depot, Cold Steel, and Specialty Operations Group (SOG) Knives, throwing techniques (rotational and no-spin), the beginner buying guide for type, length, weight, and sharpness, throwing knife accessories, and knives and multi-tools for broader blade selection.

Best Throwing Knives for Beginners

The best throwing knives for beginners are 4 models that balance low cost, durable stainless steel construction, and a design that teaches proper throwing mechanics without breaking on impact:

• Cold Steel Sure Flight (overall best): a center-balanced throwing knife with a 4.8 out of 5 Amazon rating that performs well for both rotational and no-spin throwing techniques, and remains useful as the thrower progresses from beginner to intermediate skill levels
• Perfect Point RC-595-3 Thunder Bolt (easiest to learn): a lightweight 3-piece stainless steel throwing knife set with a nylon sheath that works well for children and teens because the small size, light weight, and dull edge reduce the safety risk while the compact profile throws at fast speeds
• Whetstone Cutlery Throwing Knife Set (cheapest): a 12-piece set that costs less per knife than any competitor and includes a nylon case with belt loop — the cord grip makes the Whetstone set easy to grip and throw, but the ringed pommel makes no-spin throwing difficult
• Uzi Throwing Knife Triple Set (expert choice): a 3-piece set with all-black stainless steel construction that withstands improper throws without breaking, and remains serviceable for intermediate throwers beyond the beginner stage

Honorable Mention: Smith and Wesson Throwing Knives

Smith and Wesson manufactures throwing knife sets including the Bullseye SWTK10CP 10-inch (254 mm) 3-piece set with belt sheath ($29.99) that offers brand recognition and multiple knives per set for extended practice sessions. Smith and Wesson throwing knives are good enough for backyard target practice but lack the balance and steel quality that competition-grade throwing knives from Cold Steel and WKTL provide. Professional knife throwers do not use Smith and Wesson throwing knives in competition.

Throwing Knife Types and Balance

There are 3 throwing knife balance types that determine how the knife rotates during flight, how far the thrower stands from the target, and which grip technique the thrower uses:

• Blade-heavy knives: the center of gravity sits forward of the midpoint, and blade-heavy knives rotate faster — grip blade-heavy knives by the handle and throw from shorter distances of 8 to 12 feet (2.4 to 3.7 meters or m)
• Handle-heavy knives: the center of gravity sits behind the midpoint, and handle-heavy knives rotate slower — grip handle-heavy knives by the blade and throw from longer distances of 12 to 16 feet (3.7 to 4.9 m)
• Center-balanced knives: the center of gravity sits at the midpoint, and center-balanced knives rotate at a consistent rate — grip center-balanced knives by either end and throw from 10 to 14 feet (3 to 4.3 m) for a half-spin or 14 to 18 feet (4.3 to 5.5 m) for a full spin

Rotational and No-Spin Throwing Techniques

Throwing knife techniques fall into 2 categories: rotational throwing where the knife spins end-over-end on its way to the target, and no-spin throwing where the knife travels point-first without rotation. Rotational throwing includes 3 spin counts: half-spin (the knife completes one half rotation from release to target), full-spin (one complete rotation), and multiple-spin (1.5 or more rotations at longer distances). The half-spin is the easiest technique for beginners to learn because the thrower grips the knife by the blade, releases at shoulder height, and the knife completes one half rotation to arrive point-first at the target.

No-spin throwing uses a modified grip and a wrist-locked release that sends the knife point-first without rotation. No-spin throwing requires more wrist control and consistent release mechanics than rotational throwing. Center-balanced knives and knives without a ringed pommel perform best for no-spin throwing — the Whetstone Cutlery set with its ringed pommel makes no-spin throws difficult because the ring catches on the fingers during release.

Beginner Throwing Knife Buying Guide

Throwing Knife Length

To choose the correct throwing knife length, match the knife length to hand size: throwers with large hands use knives 10 inches (254 mm) or longer, and throwers with small or average hands use knives 6 to 10 inches (152 to 254 mm). Longer knives weigh more and rotate slower, which gives the thrower more time to judge distance and release timing. Shorter knives rotate faster and throw at higher speeds, which requires quicker release timing.

Throwing Knife Weight

Lighter throwing knives travel faster and require less force to throw, and heavier throwing knives provide more momentum that increases accuracy for throwers who prefer a controlled, deliberate release. Lighter knives under 6 ounces (170 grams or g) work well for fast-paced recreational throwing and for children. Heavier knives above 10 ounces (283 g) stick to the target more consistently and resist deflection from knots and grain patterns in the target wood. Professional competition throwing knives from WKTL and Cold Steel weigh between 8 and 14 ounces (227 to 397 g).

Throwing Knife Sharpness

Throwing knives do not need a sharpened blade edge. A throwing knife needs a sharpened point to penetrate the target, but the blade edges remain dull because the thrower grips the blade during certain throwing techniques and a sharp edge creates a cut hazard during the grip and release. Some throwing knives have a double-edged blade profile, and most have a flat spine, but the edge bevel on a purpose-built throwing knife is blunt enough to run a finger along without cutting.

WKTL Throwing Knife Collections

The World Knife Throwing League manufactures 31 WKTL-certified throwing knife products in 3 size categories (long, medium, and short throwing knives) with prices from $99.99 to $269.99 per set of 3. WKTL throwing knives are purpose-built for competition throwing with balanced construction and durable steel.

WKTL Premium Sets

WKTL premium throwing knives cost $269.99 per set of 3 and include the Megalodon (rated 4.5 out of 5), Thunderbolt (rated 5.0 out of 5), and Crusader Pro (rated 5.0 out of 5). The Megalodon, Thunderbolt, and Crusader Pro are WKTL's longest and heaviest competition-grade throwing knives.

WKTL Mid-Range Sets

WKTL mid-range throwing knives cost $154.49 to $154.99 per set of 3 and include 11 models across 5 series:

• Barbarian series: Odin's Fury ($154.49, rated 4.8 out of 5)
• Lancelot series: The Knightblade ($154.49, rated 5.0 out of 5)
• Crusader series: Valor's Edge ($154.49, rated 5.0 out of 5)
• Highlander series: Celtic Conqueror ($154.49), Gaelic Warrior ($154.99), and Cyber Camo ($154.49)
• Blackhawk series: Obsidian's Edge ($154.49, rated 5.0 out of 5) and Tribal Thunder ($154.49, rated 5.0 out of 5)

The WKTL Undisputed set of 3 throwing knives costs $99.99 (rated 4.8 out of 5 with 5 reviews) and is the lowest-priced WKTL throwing knife set. The WKTL Kiss of Death ($154.49), Merlin Sorcerer's Fury ($154.49, rated 4.8 out of 5), and Sparrowhawk Winged Assassin ($154.49) are standalone mid-range models.

Toro Throwing Knife Series

The Toro throwing knife series costs $143.99 to $164.99 per set of 3 and includes 7 Egyptian and Latin-themed models: Toro Wadjet ($164.99), Toro Pharaoh ($164.99), Toro Anubis ($164.99), Toro Ra ($164.99), Toro Sobek ($164.99), Toro Lobo ($143.99), and Toro Bandito ($143.99). The Toro Khepri ($164.99) is WKTL Certified for competition use.

Knife Depot Throwing Knives

Knife Depot carries 16 throwing knife sets from Perfect Point, Ninja, Jack Ripper, Smith and Wesson, Z-Hunter, Kershaw, and Rite Edge at prices from $12.99 to $44.99:

• Perfect Point PP-595-6MC 6-piece colored set ($19.99, on sale from $24.99)
• Perfect Point RC-595-3 Thunder Bolt 3-piece stainless steel set ($13.99, on sale from $19.99)
• On Target Bullseye 12-piece target set ($39.99, on sale from $59.85)
• Precision Balance 12-piece set ($32.99, on sale from $49.99)
• Kershaw Ion 1747BWX 3-piece set with 4.5-inch (114 mm) 3Cr13 stainless steel spear point blades, BlackWash finish, and paracord handles ($44.99, on sale from $69.29)
• Smith and Wesson Bullseye SWTK10CP 10-inch 3-piece set with belt sheath ($29.99, on sale from $43.99)
• Ninja TK086BK-3 three 9-inch (229 mm) black knives with sheath ($17.99, on sale from $24.99)
• Z-Hunter ZB-163-3BK three 7.5-inch (191 mm) black stainless steel throwers with nylon sheath ($18.99, on sale from $25.99)

Knife Depot carries throwing stars and shurikens including the Rite Edge 210817-SL 4-piece silver shuriken set with sheath ($24.47, on sale from $32.29).

Cold Steel Throwing Knives

Cold Steel manufactures 25 throwing products including throwing knives, throwing axes, throwing spikes, throwing stars, and competition hatchets:

• Sure Flight Sport and Sure Flight Sport 3-Pack: Cold Steel's best-selling competition throwing knife with center balance
• Pro Flight Sport: a longer, heavier competition knife for experienced throwers
• True Flight Thrower: a classic profile throwing knife for rotational technique
• Sure Balance Thrower: a precision-balanced knife for consistent rotation
• La Fontaine Thrower and Jack Dagger Thrower: specialty profile throwing knives
• Sure Strike series (Light, Medium, Heavy 3-packs): 3 weight options for matching throwing knife weight to thrower preference and technique
• Mini Flight Sport, Mini Torpedo, and Mini Blades: compact throwing knives under 8 inches (203 mm) for close-distance practice
• Torpedo and Templar X: mid-size throwing knives
• Battle Star ($19.99): a throwing star design
• Throwing Spikes 4-pack with pouch and Throwing Stars 3-pack with pouch: non-knife throwing implements
• Delta Dart and Delta Dart Neck Sheath: a spike-style thrower with optional neck carry
• Stickman Holdout 2-pack: compact concealed throwing implements
• Professional Throwing Axe and Competition Throwing Hatchet: axe-format throwing tools with replacement handles available
• Throwing Axes 3-pack (black or silver with sheath): recreational throwing axe sets
• Throwing Knives Drop Point 3-pack with sheath: a drop point profile set
• Boomerang: a returning throwing implement

SOG Throwing Gear

SOG Knives manufactures 4 throwing products: Throwing Death Cards ($29.95), Throwing Knives, Throwing Hawks 3-pack with nylon sheath, and Fling Throwing Knives set of 3. The SOG Throwing Death Cards are flat, card-shaped stainless steel throwing implements designed for short-distance target throwing. SOG Throwing Hawks are tomahawk-format throwing tools with nylon sheaths for transport and storage.

Throwing Knife Accessories

Throwing knife accessories include 4 products from the WKTL store: the WKTL Universal Knife Sheath ($17.49), Elm City 36-inch (914 mm) Cottonwood Set of 3 Refill target rounds ($89.99), 2024 Target Stencil (from $44.99), and the Perfect 6 target marker ($19.99). The Elm City cottonwood rounds are end-grain target rounds that accept throwing knife points without splitting — cottonwood is a softwood that absorbs knife impacts and self-heals around the entry point for extended target life. End-grain targets (cut across the wood fibers) last longer than face-grain targets (cut along the fibers) because end-grain compresses around the blade point instead of splitting along the grain.

Throwing Knife Legality

Throwing knife legality varies by state, county, and municipality in the United States, and most states classify throwing knives as fixed-blade knives subject to the same carry and possession laws as standard fixed-blade knives. There are 3 legal considerations for throwing knives: blade length restrictions (some municipalities restrict fixed blades over 3 to 4 inches or 76 to 102 mm), concealed carry restrictions (carrying a throwing knife concealed on the body requires a permit in some states), and location restrictions (schools, government buildings, and posted private property prohibit all knives). Check local knife laws before purchasing or carrying throwing knives. Throwing knives used for target practice on private property with a safe backstop are legal in all 50 states.

Throwing Knife Safety and Target Setup

Safe throwing knife practice requires 5 elements: a clear throwing lane with no people or animals behind or beside the target, a soft end-grain wood target (cottonwood, poplar, or pine rounds), a minimum throwing distance of 8 feet (2.4 m) from the target, closed-toe shoes, and a flat throwing surface free of tripping hazards. Stand the target at chest height on a stable base. Retrieve knives from the target only after all knives in the set have been thrown. Inspect throwing knives before each session for cracks, bends, or loose handle wraps — a cracked blade can break on impact and send steel fragments in unpredictable directions.