How to Do a Three Knife Juggle

Juggling knives is similar to juggling clubs. The primary difference is in the weight of the knives. Because juggling knives are heavier, you may have to give the knives a little extra spin. You should be a competent club juggler before attempting to juggle knives. When learning to juggle knives, begin by learning the cascade pattern.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Hold two knives in your dominant hand and the third knife in your other hand. If you plan to learn to pass knives to a juggling partner, hold two knives in your right hand and one knife in your left hand. Your hands should be near the middle of the handle.

2. Toss one knife into the air from the hand that has two knives so that it does a single flip and lands in your other hand. Keep your wrist fairly straight. Depending on the weight of the knives, you may need to use your index finger to give the knife more spin and keep your juggling pattern going.

3. Throw the knife in your other hand when the previously tossed knife has reached its apex. Catch the first knife in your empty hand. If you over- or under-rotated the first knife, step back and let it fall to the ground. Don't attempt to catch the "business end" of the knife.

4. Throw the third knife when the second knife reaches its apex. Catch the second knife in your newly empty hand.

5. Continue to juggle the knives in the cascade pattern by alternating your throwing and catching hands.

6. Stop juggling the knives by keeping the next knife you would toss in your hand and catching the tossed knife in the same hand. You can also execute a "double out," in which you make a loftier double-spinning toss to give yourself time to pass the knife in the catching hand to the non-catching hand and then catch the thrown knife in your empty hand.

Tips & Warnings

• When learning to juggle knives, practice over soft ground, such as a grassy area, so that you don't damage the blades when you drop them.