How to Throw a Hunting Knife

Hunting knives include Bowie knives, skinning knives and the puukko. They are used for skinning and cleaning the prey and not for killing the prey. But many people have hunting knives for self defense rather than for hunting. In this case, learning how to handle your knife will make you a whole lot safer.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Log or wooden block Knife sharpener Strong footwear First aid kit (just in case)

1. Make sure the blade is secure in the handle. If it rattles or wiggles even a little bit, do not use it. Also, make sure you are wearing strong boots or shoes.

2. Place a block of wood or a log just in front of you on the floor or ground. Look at where you want the exact place for the knife to go.

3. Hold the middle of the handle and push down while letting go of the knife. Keep on practicing until the blade goes right where you want it onto the block or log. This teaches you how to have a good feel for the knife and how firm of a grip you need.

4. Move the wooden target further away. Repeat. Many people like to nail a wooden block to a tree at eye or chest height and use that as a target.

5. Throw underhand when the target gets to be more than five yards away from you. Try to hold the handle as close to the end that you can while still feeling comfortable with the grip. Press your forefinger and thumb as is pinching the knife handle, while keeping the rest of your fingers looser on the handle. Keep your wrist straight as you can. Swing the arm underhanded until it gets to the level of where you want the knife to go, then release. The force of the swing will push the knife into the target. If this underhand throw doesn't seem to be working, go to Step 6.

6. Raise your arm as if you are going to chop wood and again make your forefinger and thumb do most of the work. Take your time getting a good position, swinging as slowly as you can without letting go, to get the feel of the knife. Some people prefer to grab the very end of the handle and some the middle of the handle. Swing down firmly and quickly, like you are chopping wood. Release when you get to the level of the target. There's no need to throw with all of your might. Throw as lightly as you can and then gradually add force until you get the feel of it.

Tips & Warnings

• It's safer to keep the blade sharpened than dull. With a dull blade, it could slip or you may need to use far more force than is necessary to throw the knife. That can lead to loss of control, which can lead to injuries. Anyone who has martial arts self-defense classes will see that throwing a hunting knife and delivering a blow is similar. It's a matter of intent, rhythm and placement rather than sheer force. Your fingertips will get tougher the more you practice. Keep in mind that in the beginning, your calluses can make it much harder to get a balanced feel on the handle.
• Do not throw switchblades, machetes or Swiss Army Knives. They have a warped center of gravity and will not go to where you aim them. Don't place the wooden block or target right between your feet. That's asking for way too much trouble. Don't try to do any tricks like get the blade to rotate a certain number of times before it hits the target. The most important thing is that it hits the target.

Resources

• Video: How to Throw Knives

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