Throwing Bowie Knives

Bowie knives are versatile and tough, but they're not universal tools. One of the more specialized types of knives are throwing knives. There are some individuals who, because of great skill in general, can throw a Bowie with some impressive results. However, these knives never were and are not intended for use as projectile weapons are target knives. These knives have several qualities that make them very bad choices if one wants to learn to throw blades.

A throwing knife generally has a double-edge, a light blade, is moderately sharp along the edges-if the edges are sharp at all-and has a very sharp tip. The blades oftentimes resemble spear points, and this is no coincidence. A Bowie knife is completely different. The sharpest part of the blade on a Bowie is the edge. The knives are very heavy and thick. Bowies also resemble a small saber more than they do a spear, particularly due to the curved blade edge.

The sheer weight of Bowie knives makes them remarkably bad for throwing. The weight of the knife itself can cause the blade to bend under its own weight when it becomes stuck in a target. The long length and heavy weight make them very hard to throw, as well. Throwing knives are generally very light and designed to fit easily in the hand. A Bowie is designed to be sturdy, able to take blows from other knives and weapons and to protect the user's hand, where it is meant to stay.

Throwing knives require specific technique but also require specific balance. Bowie knives are balanced, but they are not balanced for throwing. They are balanced for hand-held use. If one were to pick up a throwing knife and try to use it like a Bowie, they would find it seriously lacking. The same holds true when one tries to use a Bowie as a thrower. Most often, the result is disappointment and, often, a ruined knife.

Those who own Bowie knives and who have an interest in pursuing the art of throwing blades would do well to purchase a purpose-built knife for the latter endeavor. Most Bowies are far too expensive to risk damaging by throwing them. They are also simply not made for this task. The danger to one's body is very real as is the potential to have a very good knife destroyed. High-carbon steel blades, in particular, should never be used as thrown knives.