Man invented the machine, in theory, so he’d have time to practice all manner of interesting skills, like throwing knives. Skills which ideally won’t prove necessary in the real world—but could! A longtime favorite amongst ninjas, throwing knives have risen to the recreational and competitive fore. Whether you’re a seasoned thrower or just getting started, a solid practice starts with the best throwing knives themselves. We’ve got the sharpest contenders on the market here—and a guide for beginnings—to build or bolster your throwing knives collection.
What To Know Before to know before hunting the best throwing knives
While no single style or attribute determines your best throwing knives, there definitely are some right and wrong answers. We’ve assembled these guidelines, we believe, in descending importance—get your notebook and pen handy, because this is one hobby where details matter.
How will you use your throwing knives?
Definitely some wrong answers here, right? Most throwing knives are meant solely for sport. That means lobbing them with finesse at a target in your backyard either alongside, or to impress, your friends. Bonus points for limiting intoxication, but we’re not your parents. Still, some avid throwers acknowledge that wielded with a little knowhow, these bad boys are more dangerous than a legitimate firearm. Some even work on outdoor adventures or with chores.
Really drill down—there’s tons of models on the market. Will you throw indoors or outdoors? The best throwing knives for you might focus on sheer precision, durability, or, yes, style.
Throwing knives material
The best throwing knives balance durability and sharpness. Your throwing knives absolutely must have a menacing point in order to stick their targets effectively. Meanwhile, you’ll want a rust resistant material to maintain that sharpness. Stainless steel is the favorite for this one.
The formula for ideal throwing knives size
Fact: size does matter. Believe it or not, bigger knives are actually easier to throw than shorter ones! That’s because they’re more apt to accrue inertia in the air, and not just bounce off your target with a delicate thud. A total length of at least 10” is more than advisable, but the pros really recommend up to 13”. Weight is a matter of size too though, right? Here’s a handy rule of thumb: for every inch of length, your throwing knives out to have 1 – 1.25 ounces in weight.
Choosing the shape for your best throwing knives
You’ll hear a lot of pro knife throwers discuss “balance.” What they mean is how a knife moves through the air—and that has everything to do not just with a knife’s weight, but also its shape. Some are more suited to a ‘no spin’ style, but others are more apt to acquire a twirling flourish.
How would you hold the best throwing knives?
Last but not least, this factor could prove a matter of personal taste and contention, but here’s one more fact: an easy release makes for a more seamless throw every time, it seems. A lot of throwing knives out there have some kind of grip on their handle, but most pros maintain that just gets in the way. Look for well-placed holes on the handle and dull edges to help your hands.
Gil Hibben GenX Pro Thrower Triple Set Large
When it comes to knives, there’s not many names bigger than Gil Hibben, the legendary La Grange, Kentucky knife maker behind the first-ever line of Browning hunting knives, launched in 1968—and many legendary models since. Plenty of reviewers consider Hibben’s more recent throwing models the best throwing knives on the market, with a “perfectly balanced” and seamless one-piece stainless steel construction. At 11” they come in a generous set of three so you can get to throwing without having to retrieve your weapons over and over.
Condor Dismissal Throwing Knife Black Carbon Steel Blade
Another fan favorite, and for good reason—look how sleek and sensual this throwing knife is! The overall length of this super durable tool totals 12”, built from high carbon steel with the sharpest point with an epoxy black powder coating for the finish.”I was concerned about the holes in the handles being a weak point for breakage but nope not one of the original three did,” one reviewer wrote. “Balanced very well and using a no spin throw technique the shape is quite an advantage.” Some compare them with the iconic Japanese Kunai knife shape—all of of which didn’t mark our list due to their unnecessary paracord handles. The Dismissal’s superior.
Smith and Wesson Stainless Steel Throwing Knives Set
Really build up your throwing knives collection with this expansive set of six sturdy stainless steel throwing knives by the noted outdoors extraordinaires at Smith and Wesson. These knives are a little short, just 8” total, but the reviews don’t lie—they’re still verified to pack a punch, even “after 1000’s of throws,” one novice said, particularly impressive “Considering I’m just starting out and many throws bounce off the target and hit the concrete!” The best part? This set comes at an unbeatable $44.99 price tag, and even includes a black sheath for easy carrying.
La Fontaine Thrower by Cold Steel
Maybe this particular knife is better left to the pro’s, but with a silhouette like that she’s all but irresistible. The La Fontaine is named after its designer—longtime Cold Steel team member Luke LaFontaine, “known primarily for his expertise in Japanese Sword Arts,” the product description explains, along with his career as an actor, stunt man, and silverscreen weapons expert. This one’s got a dull edge on top and two holes in the handle to assist with a safe grip, and its sloping shape apparently creates an incredible sense of balance flying through the air. Great for party tricks too, this tool is buyer-approved to help you out in the wilds as well!
Mini Torpedo by Cold Steel
Now, it’s not very often that we include two offerings from the same brand on one roundup, but Cold Steel is totally killing the game when it comes to manufacturing the best throwing knives out there. If their La Fontaine didn’t totally convince you, this Mini Torpedo has got to be complete proof. It’s foolproof for even the earliest stage thrower, without looking amateur in the slightest. Even experts get a kick out of this one, a total 12” of cold rolled 1055 high carbon sharpened to a spike at either end. “I threw this in every way I could think and even when it hit length wise it would still break logs and leave pretty deep dents on my targets,” the most recent review says. That’s why man invents things after all—to maximize impact and ease at once!
