Is a Bowie Knife Suitable for Throwing?

Throwing knives have been around almost since the first knife was invented. However, the types and styles of knives designed for throwing have evolved throughout the years. You will find some surprising blades that can be thrown accurately if you know how to do it. Can you through Bowie knives, though? These very large knives might seem like the last knife you might want to throw, but it can be done.

How do you throw a Bowie knife accurately? Actually, it can be quite difficult to throw one of these large blades with precision. Therefore, it is certainly not recommended that a beginner try throwing Bowie knives right off the bat. A better option is to start with something better balanced. A Bowie knife, with its very long blade, does not have the same center of balance found with a regular throwing knife. This means that it is awkward and difficult for a beginner to gain any accuracy.

Second, Bowie knives can be thrown from a relatively decent distance, though you will need to take certain steps to ensure that you hit your target. For instance, with a traditional throwing knife, you aim for the point that you intend to hit. With a Bowie knife, you will need to aim above your intended target. This will allow the blade to arc through the air, rather than flying straight. If you were to throw your blade straight, chances are good that gravity would pull it off course. It would still arc, and it would hit lower than you had intended.

Actually, the Bowie knife has a long history of being thrown. Experts and teachers during the early years of the knife's existence showed that it was possible to throw the knife with lethal accuracy. However, they stressed several different things to their students that differed from throwing lighter, smaller knives. What are these? First, because Bowie knives are considerably larger and heavier than their brethren are, you should consider aiming a bit higher than you would with a regular knife. This will make the Bowie arc upward and then curve down and hit the target where you actually want.

However, if you truly wish to throw knives, Bowie knives are not the best place to start. Consider purchasing a couple of affordable throwing knives to start with. You can always move up to Bowies as your skill and familiarity with the sport increases and as you become more accurate.