Hey folks, back with another real world test I spent weeks sweating over in my backyard. Today’s all about throwing sharp stuff – specifically, knives versus axes. Wanted to find out which one actually makes sense for an average guy like me, not some action hero.
Starting from Scratch: The Gear Grab
First off, I went hunting for beginner kit. Didn’t wanna blow cash on pro gear before knowing if I’d stick with it. Picked up a basic set of throwing knives – three of ’em, lightweight steel around 10 inches – and a cheap pair of wood-handle throwing hatchets off a random online vendor. Total splurge: about fifty bucks. Built a simple target frame from scrap plywood and layered on thick cardboard.
Knife Throwing: Precision or Pain?
Thought knives would be easier. Boy, was I wrong. Spent three days straight just figuring out grip and release. That first session? Knives bounced, tumbled sideways, or just stuck sideways at crazy angles. My fingers kept getting smacked by the handles, felt like getting snapped with rubber bands. Over and over.
When they did stick, it felt amazing! But consistency? Ha! My release had to be perfect. Grip it too loose? Flop. Too tight? End over end. Finally started hitting consistently about 6 feet out. Takeaways:
- Knives demand finesse: Your wrist and fingers gotta work together just right.
- Patience destroyer: Small mistakes ruin the throw.
- Lightweight bites: Wind gusts wrecked my aim constantly.
Axes: When Brute Force Works
Switched to the hatchets after a week of knife frustration. First few throws buried the blade handles DEEP into my plywood backing. Dented the wood bad! These things have serious weight – felt like swinging a hammer. Instantly noticed the difference:
- Forgiving: Didn’t need magic fingers. A straightforward overhand swing usually stuck it.
- Wind resistant: That heavier head plowed through breeze easy.
- Distance advantage: Could stand way back – 10 feet? No problem.
But man, retrieving axes is a workout! Jerking them out of the wood was exhausting. And the handles? Took real damage after about fifty smacks. Splinters everywhere. Safety goggles became non-negotiable.
The Final Showdown: What Sucked Less?
After two solid weeks of blisters, splinters, and wrecked plywood, here’s the real talk:
- For pure beginners? Axes hands down. Less technical, stick easier at varied distances, and fighting the wind sucks way less.
- Knives for the challenge? Only if you’ve got crazy patience and want something precise. Don’t expect quick wins.
End of the day? I keep grabbing the axes. That satisfying THUNK when it sticks solid just beats the quiet “tink” of a knife hitting true. Less headache, more sticking power. Unless you’re training to be a stealth assassin (lol, doubt it), go with the hatchet. My plywood sacrifice was worth it.