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A proper hold will ensure the knife goes where you want it to with no damage to your hand. The two standard holds are the hammer grip and the pinch grip.
To use the hammer grip, hold the knife as you would a hammer, with the edges of the knife held between your thumb and index finger. Obviously, this hold should only be practiced with unsharpened knives, or at distances where you would hold the knife by its handle. Place your thumb on the spine of the blade or handle. This will allow for increased accuracy. Keep your wrist absolutely stiff when throwing to avoid uncontrolled rotations. The hammer grip is a good grip for heavier, slower knives.
The pinch grip is used to throw lighter knives forcefully in quick succession. Grip the flat of the blade or handle between the thumb and index finger (whether you grip the blade or handle with depend on the distance to your target). In this way, the knife should extend straight out from your arm. With heavier knives and longer throws, use your middle finger to grip as well.
Hold the knife with a relaxed grip with either grip. Too tight or too lose will cause an inaccurate throw. -
When using one of the standard grips such as a pinch or hammer grip, the distances from which you will be able to stick a knife depends on how many rotations the knife will make before reaching the target. Most knife throwers throw from a series of set distances that correspond to rotations of the knife in flight.
When beginning to learn to throw knives, train with the same movements in your arm and body and always with the same force. Start by trying to stick a knife in a wall about 12 feet away. At this distance, a knife will turn about one full rotation before sticking. The next set distance is about 4 feet behind the first, and the next set distance 4 feet behind that. These are set distances where you know exactly how many times the knife will rotate before striking the target. At 16 feet the knife will rotate one and a half times, and at 20 feet knife will rotate two times. Subsequently, you should hold the knife by it's handle at distances of 12 and 20 feet, and by the blade at 16 (and 24) feet. Because you are always using the same motions and force, the knife will rotate at the same speed regardless of the distance from which you throw it. -
The motions you go through when throwing the knife need to be precise. Throw the knife the same way each and every time, regardless of distance.
Stand with your right foot back, left foot 2 feet forward (reverse if left-handed), with the toes of your right foot at the distance mark. The heels of both feet should be on a line with your target. Both knees should be bent, with the majority of your weight on your back foot.
Your throwing arm should make a round, smooth swing back and come forward straight toward the target. While throwing, shift your weight toward your front foot and follow the movement of the throw with your chest.
