Best Throwing Knives (2021) : Top 7 Throwing Knives Review with Buying Guide

There are many styles of throwing knives and their uses vary from being a sport to combat skills or for just entertainment by various organizations. Knife throwing is an art to many that a master knife fighter should possess with perfection. But this requires a long and painstaking exercise, starting from learning how to grip the weapon securely to maintaining the correct flow while throwing.

The Ranger Expert team will show you how to choose the best throwing knives from a myriad of options whatever the purpose you need them for. Our buying guide will also help you learn what makes a good throwing knife. So, read on and make an informed buying decision.

Top Throwing Knives: Comparison Chart

Pick Name	Thumbnail	Product Name	Price
1st		Smith & Wesson SWTK8BCP Three 8in Stainless Steel Throwing Knives Set with Nylon Belt Sheath	Check Price
2nd		Perfect Point RC-595-3 Thunder Bolt Throwing Knife Set with Three Knives	Check Price
3rd		Smith & Wesson SWTK8CP Six 8in Stainless Steel Throwing Knives Set with Nylon Belt Sheath	Check Price
4th		Perfect Point PP-060-9 Throwing Knife Set with Nine Knives	Check Price
5th		Whetstone Cutlery 12 Piece Set of S-Force Kunai Knives	Check Price
6th		MTECH USA MT-673 Fixed Stainless Steel Blade, 5″, Black	Check Price
7th		Perfect Point RC-1793B Throwing Knife Set with Three Knives	Check Price

Our Top 7 Best Throwing Knives

1 Smith & Wesson SWTK8BCP Three 8in Stainless Steel Throwing Knives Set with Nylon Belt Sheath

Why It Stands Out To Us

The Smith & Wesson throwing knives are well-balanced throwers with single-piece stainless steel construction, blunt edges, and enhanced durability.

The spike-like tip is hard and sticks well in targets. The knives also come with a durable nylon sheath, making it very easy to carry them around safely. Moreover, the blunt edges make sure that your hands don’t get cut.

This set of three knives is built mainly for practicing. They are a great option for both beginners and experts because they come at a fairly cheap price. Overall, these knives offer a phenomenal user experience, which is why they’re at the top spot of our list.

Our Experience with the Smith & Wesson SWTK8BCP

• We have used and abused these knives a lot while practicing and they stood strong even after the ridiculous amount of beating we put them through.
• The handles were easy to grab and the laser cuts on the handles were smooth. We could use them without attaching electric tapes or ribbons.
• We could throw these knives very easily at the targets. They were suitable for both blade and handle throwing because the balance point on these knives seemed to be at the center of the body.
• The blades weren’t sharp at all, which is perfect for a throwing knife. This makes this set a solid pick for beginners.
• We tested these throwers on multiple types of targets and noticed that they’re suitable for most of them. They surprisingly did well against hard wooden targets alongside the soft foam and cardboard ones.
• These things were solid. We ended up missing the targets pretty often, so the knives were prone to bouncing off and landing on hard concrete. But to our pleasant surprise, they withstood all that abuse with ease.
• From our experience, we can confirm that these knives were made with safety in mind.
• We absolutely loved the sheath that came with the set. It offered secure and organized transportation for our knives. We could attach it with belts and on the exterior of our tactical backpacks.

Things We Didn’t Like

• Because of the black color, we lost two so far while practicing in the woods
• The black color finish started wearing off after two weeks of use

What could be improved

• The knives could be made available in bright colors so they are easier to find while practicing in the woods.

Our Recommendation

• You may be tempted to tie paracords around the handle but don’t do that because Smith & Wesson kept the front heavier for a reason.

Specifications

Pros

• Durable
• Well balanced
• Lightweight
• Nylon sheath included
• Great alue for money

Cons

• The Black color makes the knives prone to getting lost easily

2 Perfect Point RC-595-3 Thunder Bolt Throwing Knife Set with Three Knives

Why It Stands Out To Us

The ThunderBolt throwing knife set is a great pick for enhancing your knife-throwing abilities. These knives are well-balanced, durable, and sharp, with a single-piece two-toned construction made of stainless steel.

Despite being small in size, they have great piercing power. They can penetrate both hard and soft targets with ease. The set also comes with a black nylon sheath that ensures safety while carrying.

All in all, these knives offer great looks and performance despite coming at a cheap and affordable price. They are probably the best set of knives that you can get within this price range.

Our Experience with the Perfect Point RC-595-3 ThunderBolt

• We absolutely loved the design. The dual-tone gave it a premium look and the material was also quite sturdy.
• We tried a variety of targets from hard wooden ones to soft foam blocks and the knives could penetrate all of them. We also tested them on trees and they worked perfectly.
• The sheath seemed like the perfect storage for these kinds of knives. We were glad that it came with the set. We attached it with the molle lining of a tactical bag and it stayed like it was built for such arrangements.
• The knives withstood extended hours of rough use despite being so small.
• The laser cutouts made it easy to tie ribbons on the handle.
• The blades weren’t sharp out of the box, which is understandable for a throwing knife set. We sharpened the blades and tested their cutting ability. From our tests, we can confirm that these throwers can also come in handy while camping out in the woods.
• For how small they are, these throwers seemed to have a good amount of weight on them. This made the set even more appropriate for beginners.

What We didn’t Like

• The blade size can be too small for some people.
• We had to put a lot of power to penetrate targets because of the low weight of the knife.

Things That Could Be Improved

• The manufacturers could add more weight to the knives.

Our Recommendations

• To get the most out of these throwers, use a bag or foam box-style target. You can also make a target by filling expanding foam into a pizza box.

Specifications

Pros

• Sharp points
• Laser cut-outs
• Comes with a black nylon sheath
• Affordable price

Cons

• Not very durable
• Small blades

3 Smith & Wesson SWTK8CP Six 8in Stainless Steel Throwing Knives Set with Nylon Belt Sheath

Why It Stands Out to Us

This Smith & Wesson product comes in a set of six knives with a nylon belt sheath. The knives are well-balanced, easy to throw, and their small size makes them great for practicing. They have a single-piece construction made of high carbon steel that ensures durability.

The weight of these knives is enough to make them stick to the target most of the time. Sharp tips and blunt edges make them convenient for safe throwing as well.

With good balance and solid throwing control, these throwers feel good in your hands. Considering all the features and functionalities, they’re worth every penny.

Our Experience with the Smith & Wesson SWTK8CP

• The knives have a decent sharp point with the overall knife size being smaller than most professional ones.
• The set comes with a quality sheath, which ensures organized transportation of the throwers. We attached it with belts and tactical bags and they held onto them perfectly.
• We noticed that the knives had good balance. The weight distribution was nicely handled, which made it easy for beginners to throw them.
• We could throw these knives long distances as well due to their decent enough weight.
• We used these throwers on different types of targets and found out that they’re most suitable for soft ones.
• We tested these throwers to their limits and threw the set at least a thousand times on different targets. The knives surprisingly stood strong despite ricocheting off the targets hundreds of times.
• We liked the fact that the blades of these knives weren’t sharp. This made the set an even better choice for beginners.

What We Didn’t Like

• The handle edges are sharp and easy to get cuts and scrapes from while throwing the knives.
• The tips are about 1mm thick, so it took some effort to make them stick to the target contrary to other knives.

What Could Be Improved and Why

• The handles could be given a blunt edge so they can be held without getting scrapes and cuts on the hands.
• The tips could be made sharper so they stick to the target more easily.

Our Recommendations

• We suggest you use bag or foam block archery targets or make a target out of cardboards or sliding foams.
• Because the handles are sharp, a paracord wrapping is highly recommended. But do consider that the wrapping might ruin the balance of the weight. So, we suggest you go for the lightest cords you can find.

Specifications

Pros

• Durable
• Good balance
• Great for beginners
• Enough weight for long throws
• Good value for money

Cons

• Sharp-edged handles
• Tips prone to bending

4 Perfect Point PP-060-9 Throwing Knife Set with Nine Knives

Why It Stands Out to Us

This throwing knife set comes with 9 small knives. Each of these knives has a great appearance with sleek black blades and comfortable handles wrapped with red strings that look like something out of a ninja movie. The construction is made of stainless steel, which guarantees sturdiness and durability.

Being well-balanced, these knives offer a steady throw every time. Moreover, the pointy tips ensure great penetration in the target, which means that they’ll undoubtedly stick to the target every time. The edges of the blades are semi-sharp and built with safety in mind as well. The set comes with a sheath big enough to carry all nine of the throwers.

They’re fun to use and come at an affordable price. If you’re starting out as a knife thrower and looking for a great budget-friendly set to practice with, then this is the one you should go for.

Our Experience with the Perfect Point PP-060-9 Throwing Knife Set

• Well-balanced and easy to throw.
• The black coated blade, red cord-wrapped handle, and the Chinese characters on the base of the blade made the daggers look very attractive.
• Because they were light and thin, they were suitable for close-range throwing.
• We tested them on different soft and hard targets. We found out that they’re suitable for softer targets like foam and cardboard.
• The sharp tips penetrated targets every time with great efficiency.
• We were glad that the manufacturers added a sheath. It offered organized and safe transportation of the knives. We attached it to the exterior of a tactical backpack and it held onto it really well.
• The edges of the blades were razor sharp. We could easily cut paper and some other similar items with it.

What We Didn’t Like

• Could bend upon impact with hard targets.
• The wrap on the handles started coming off after one month of use.

Things That Could Be Improved

• The quality of the material needs to be improved for better performance and durability.
• The manufacturers could add a little weight to the knives.

Our Recommendations

• Simply apply a little amount of super glue on the handles to stop the cords from coming off. Make sure to use only a few drops of glue so that it doesn’t mess up the balance of the weight.

Specifications

Pros

• Affordable price
• Lightweight
• Great design
• Good for beginners
• Quality sheath

Cons

• Not Durable
• Not for hard targets
• Prone to bending

5 Whetstone Cutlery 12 Piece Set of S-Force Kunai Knives

Why It Stands Out to Us

The Whetstone Cutlery Knife Set comes with 12 identical kunai-style throwers that are designed to hit targets with perfection. The double-edged blade is made of stainless steel, which makes it resistant to scratches and dust. With a black blade and a cord-wrapped handle, the knife has quite an eye-catching appearance.

This set is a great option for practicing. These knives allow you to work on your aim without having to go back to the target after each throw. Also, it comes with a sheath that ensures the safe and organized transportation of the knives.

Despite providing a premium look and a great throwing experience, this set doesn’t cost you much. So, if you’re looking for a set of throwers in an affordable price range, the Whetstone Cutlery knife set is probably the best option for you.

Our Experience with the Whetstone Cutlery Knife Set

• We loved the appearance of the knives. It presented a premium look with the color combination and the materials.
• The weight distribution was nicely managed. The laser cuts on the blades and the wrapped cord on the handle seemed to be placed purposefully for giving the knife a balanced weight.
• Throwing these knives was fun and easy. We tested them on targets made of different materials. While they stood up well against most of them, we found that they seemed more suitable for soft targets than rigid ones.
• We were satisfied with the sheath. It was a quality carrier considering the fact that it’s a budget product.
• The set seemed perfect for practicing because it allowed us to have dozens of attempts before having to fetch the knives from the target.
• Since they were light and thin, these knives were suitable for short-range throwing.
• The blades were extremely sharp and offered a clean cut on several different materials.
• From our experience with these throwers, we can confirm that they can be used for self-defense.

Things We Didn’t Like

• The paracords on the handles started to come off after several uses.
• The knives were not the best at handling impact with wood or other hard surfaces, bending/breaking easily.

What Could Be Improved

• The quality of the steel could be improved for enhanced durability.
• The wrapped cord on the handle could be better.

Our Recommendations

• Use a glue gun and apply a small amount of glue on top of the handle. This will keep the paracords intact for a long time. Make sure you don’t put too much glue because it can ruin the balanced weight of the knife.
• Since they’re not the best against hard targets, we recommend using dense foam, cardboard, or bag/foam block archery targets.

Specifications

Pros

• Lightweight and compact
• Affordable price
• Well balanced
• Nylon carrying case

Cons

• Handles too short
• Handle cord comes off easily

6 MTECH USA MT-673 Fixed Stainless Steel Blade, 5″, Black

Why It Stands Out to Us

The MTECH can function as an impressive full tang buck knife and a pocket multi-tools blade simultaneously. This tiny knife surprisingly has a good weight to it, and despite being so small, the handle is quite easy to grab. These are designed mainly for self-defense and small everyday tasks. However, they do a pretty decent job as a throwing knife as well.

The MT-673 hangs securely on your neck and can be easily deployed. You can take it out of the sheath and throw it onto the target in less than 3 seconds. Also, this is one of the cheapest neck knives you can find on the market.

It comes in handy in different situations and it works great as a multi-purpose survival tool. The multiple functionalities make this a great knife overall. If you’re looking for a throwing knife that can do more than just hitting the target, you should definitely go for this one.

Our Experience with the MTECH USA MT-673

• It was the sturdiest among all the throwing knives that we reviewed.
• We loved the design and the finish on it as well.
• The knife had a good amount of weight despite being so tiny. This made throwing very easy.
• The knife was suitable for hard targets. This was surprising because most of the throwers of this size don’t stand up well against rigid targets.
• The tip was fairly strong and it withstood the hard targets like a champ.
• We found the sheath to be very handy. The knife fit perfectly into it and didn’t fall off while running. It was also easy to pull out of the carrier. The chain was coated black and offered a sleek look.
• The handle had a better grip for scraping compared to the other clunky big knives we tested. Despite being small, it never slipped out of our hands.
• Being full tang, this knife could take on a considerable amount of abuse. We also sharpened it later.
• From our experience with it, we can confirm that this one can also be a very good EDC knife considering the compact size, the sturdiness of the material, and portability.

Things We Didn’t Like

• The knife is a bit small for some people with big hands.
• It came in a bit dull and we needed to sharpen it ourselves.

Things That Could be Improved

• The handle could be a little bigger.
• Though the knife doesn’t fall off the sheath, it makes a rattling noise while in the carrier that could be fixed.

Our Recommendations

• If you’re going to wear this knife around your neck for a long time, we’d suggest you remove the chain and use a paracord or a good nylon that provides more comfort.
• If you’re buying this one as a thrower, then do consider buying more than one. Because unlike the other knives on our list, this one doesn’t come in a set.

Specifications

Pros

• Super lightweight
• Good design
• Well-designed sheath
• Sturdy material
• Good grip
• Multifunctional
• Good value for money
• Full tang

Cons

• Too small

7 Perfect Point RC-1793B Throwing Knife Set with Three Knives

Why It Stands Out to Us

This set comes with three well-built knives that offer a balanced throw. Each knife has a single-piece construction made of stainless steel that ensures great strength and durability. The black coating all over the body and the printed spider for decoration gives it a premium appearance.

With a pointy tip and a single edge blade, each knife provides great efficiency. The set also comes with a nylon sheath big enough to carry all three of the knives. The sheath looks great and ensures a safe and organized transportation of the knives at the same time.

Despite offering such quality and strength, this knife set comes at an affordable price. It’s a solid pick for anyone who is into knife throwing, no matter if they’re an amateur or a pro.

Our Experience with the Perfect Point RC-1793B

• We loved the design of the knives. The black color and the single-piece construction made it look like a premium product.
• The material was sturdy enough to withstand severe impacts. The knives didn’t break even upon landing on rocks and other hard surfaces.
• The weight distribution was nicely managed. This offered a balanced throw every time.
• The blade seemed to be sharpened perfectly and offered a clean cut on multiple objects.
• Sharp tips stuck to targets easily. We tested the knives on targets made of different materials (paper, cardboard, and wood) and found that the knives stood out well against all of them.
• The blades didn’t lose their sharpness even after hundreds of throws.
• We were glad that the manufacturers added a sheath. It was made of good quality nylon and felt premium to the touch.
• They work great as a safety weapon.

Things We Didn’t Like

• The knives weren’t suitable for long-range throws.
• In some of the knives, the tips weren’t durable enough. They started bending and breaking after 2 weeks.
• The paint started coming off after a few weeks.

Things That Could be Improved

• The knives could be made available in bright colors to make them easier to find in the woods.
• The knives could have a bit more weight.

Our Recommendations

• These knives have a balanced weight to them, which means they don’t need paracord wrapping on the handle. If you still want to wrap cords around the handle, make sure you use the lightest ones you can find. Also, choose a bright color for the wrapping because it’ll make it easier to retrieve them after every missed throw.

Specifications

Pros

• Sturdy build material
• Durable sharpness
• Value for money
• Nylon sheath
• Well-balanced knife

Cons

• Not suitable for long-range

Why Throwing Knives Are Different From Other Regular Knives

Throwing blades or knives are specifically designed to be thrown at targets. On the contrary, regular knives are intended to be used commonly as utensils for cutting and other household purposes safely.

Typically, both types of knives are made from steel mostly. The regular knife is mainly sharpened on one edge and attached to a wooden/plastic handle, while the throwing knife is designed without a handle. In this design, the knife has two parts, the blade and grip, the difference between the components is that the blade comes sharpened but not the grip. It is designed for safety of the user and for proper balance of the tool.

These knives are some sort of unbalanced blades. As the name suggests, they have more weight on their blade compared to the grip. You can use these knives by gripping their handle.

Most Popular Types of Throwing Knives

1. Blade Heavy Knife

As the name suggests, these knives have more mass on their blade compared to the grip. These knives can be used by gripping their handle.

2. Handle-Heavy Throwing Knife

The Handle-Heavy Knives have more mass on their handles and thrown by gripping their blades

3. Balanced Throwing Knife

Balanced knives have their mass balanced at the center of their blades. When thrown, they travel through the air in an almost circular manner.

4. Kunai Knife

Japanese use Kunai tools for farming purposes. Made from soft iron, these are unsharpened and typically used by throwers as excellent throwing knives.

Throwing Knife – Buying Guide

1. Sharpness

Throwing knives don’t need to be sharp at all!  They run the risk of cutting your hand. A pointy tip is all it takes to stick properly to a target. Blunt knives also reduce the chance of ugly dents upon impact.

2. Weight & Length

The length to weight ratio is most important for a perfect throwing knife. A ratio of around 1 ounce per inch of total length works best.

Having a longer throwing knife gives you an advantage because it turns slower as it spins as it approaches the target. A longer blade also increases the chances of finding the infamous sweet spot.

A lighter file would also need to be thrown very hard. A little weight helps you control the knife, keeping it afloat in the direction you want.It also reduces the chance of a bounceback.

3. Material

Usually made with a single piece of steel or high carbon steel, throwing knives are corrosion-resistance and carved into shape, without handles, contrary to other types of knives. The blade part of the knife is sharpened while the other half or the “grip” is not. The pointy, sharp and sturdy blade tips are prone to bending or breaking. Some manufacturers use more durable material such as high carbon steel which is best for the blade of a throwing knife.The grip allows the knife to be safely used and also for balancing the blade’s weight.

4. Safety

An ideal throwing knife just has a sharp point but no sharp edges. Its corners are all rounded for safety as well.

When throwing hard shoes must be worn, and it should also be ensured that the throwing space is far away from people and animals. It is also wise to alert people nearby that it is dangerous and proceed with caution.

5. Handles

i) Cord Cover Grip 

These help your hand to get a firmer grip on the throwing knife and are usually made of nylon or similar material

ii) Plastic or Rubber Handles 

A rubber handle provides better grip on the knife than plastic handles. A better grip translates to better control of the throwing knife, hence making it easier to hit the target.

6. Aerodynamics

The aerodynamics of a throwing knife matter as well. A symmetrical shape knife works best. Although there are different designs and shapes available which make them look cool, it hinders the practicality and your grip on the knife. Better aerodynamics and a good spin when flying towards the target is best achieved by a sleek slim knife.

The Effects of Length and Weight on a Throwing Knife

a) Length

A longer knife turns more slowly than a comparatively shorter knife . This works to the thrower’s advantage because it means that the knife will move horizontally more with every turn it makes. Practically speaking, it implies that during a throw, the knife will hit the target through a longer distance.

That is, the significance of the throwing distance grows as the length of the knife gets longer.

b) Weight

Other important factors, such as the control and momentum, are affected by the weight. The longer the knife, the more affected it is by air pressure.

Without the right amount of weight, the knife will “wobble” or “float.” At the lighter end, knives perform well at 1/2 or 1 turn but at 1 and 1/2 to 2 turns air pressure begins to affect them visibly. A lighter knife needs to be thrown harder for a stable flight to the target. This may strain the arm, similar to throwing a pebble as hard as possible.

c) Ratio

The ideal ratio of the weight to length is about 1 ounce per inch. This means that the length of a knife should equal its weight. However, with increasing knife length, a slightly higher ratio is better, around 1.25 ounces per inch, whereas a shorter knife of about 8 to 11 inches, performs well at a ratio of about 0.80 ounces per inch.

Even smaller knives in the range of 6 to 8 inches may perform better at a ratio down to 0.6 or 0.7 ounces per inch. However, while throwing such knives are fun, they are quite useless from a survival point of view.

How to Throw a Knife

Choosing a Knife

• There should be no sharp edges, a sharp point does the job well enough;
• Ideally, rounded corners are the best for safety reasons;
• It should be thick enough so that the tip doesn’t deform;
• The weight needs to be about 200 grams . Any less will make it more difficult to throw the knife.
• Fancy grips on the handle don’t help enhance your sporting performance. Ideally it is better to get a knife that doesn’t require much maintenance.
• Find a knife with no or minimal perforation as knives with holes break more easily than a solid blade knife .

Knowing the Basics

The distance between the thrower and the target is key to a successful knife throw. Take about five steps from the target and draw a line. This gives the thrower a good distance to allow the knife  to make a full rotation in the air before hitting the target.

Throwing Stance and Grip

Throwing Stance

Knife throwing might look as simple as throwing a pebble except it’s not!

The right throwing posture and grip are important to ensure a good throw while ensuring one’s own safety.

1. If you’re right-handed, stand with your left shoulder facing the target and vice versa. Put your back foot a bit forward.
2. Step your front foot towards the throw line just like getting ready to throw a baseball pitch, stretching towards the line.
3. Now, throw the knife as hard as you can. You should throw the knife horizontally towards the target throughout the throw. When your arm is extending fully towards the target, let go of the knife.

Knife Grip

While most people tend to hold the knife so that their thumb and the other fingers are on opposite sides of the knife and release it vertical towards the target, experts suggest a bit different approach as below:

1. Assuming a blade-heavy knife, put your middle, index, and ring fingers on the center of the handle. Rest your little finger below at the end of the handle.
2. On the opposite side place your thumb at the center of the handle as well.

While releasing the knife, open your hand without causing any interference with the handle.

Safety Tips

1. Wear hard shoes.
2. Make sure to choose an area clear of people and animals where you can see at least 10 meters in each direction. Notify those who are nearby about your activity and proceed with caution.
3. Immediately stop throwing knives if anyone comes near your throwing area!
4. Knives have a tendency to sometimes bounce back after hitting the target often injuring people. Therefore always keep a careful eye on the knives.
5. Only allow other people in the area after ensuring they are 3 to 4 meters behind from where you’re standing. You better draw a line 3 meters behind from your spot that no one should cross.
6. Never aim or throw knives at people or animals, not even as a joke.

FAQs:

1. Can throwing knives kill?

Ans. Yes, there have been several cases where people who were nearby the throwing area and even the thrower himself were hit accidentally by the knives resulting in their death. It is therefore strongly advised to practice in a clear area and always keep an eye on the knives.

2. What are throwing knives used for?

Ans. Throwing knives are used in a sport called Knife Throwing where people throw knives at a target usually made of wood.

3. What knives do Navy SEALs use?

Ans. The Navy SEALs use the Ontario MK 3 Navy Knife as a standard issue. With a 6-inch steel blade, it’s a nice compact weapon.