Knife Throwing for Self Defense

[clipiteer]

Would it be effective ( even though not very practical)? Thanks for any information.



-clipiteer

[Michael Janich]

Dear Clipiteer:

The following is excerpted from a sidebar I wrote for a recent article on knife throwing that was published in Tactical Knives magazine. It pretty much sums up my opinion:

DEFENSIVE KNIFE THROWING: The Right Place and the Right Time Can Make It the Right Choice
Among serious students of knife fighting, the act of throwing a knife in combat is typically considered foolish and impractical. Applied appropriately, however, a thrown knife can be a highly effective personal defense weapon.
The point most often ignored by critics of knife throwing is that every weapon has its limitations and is only effective when utilized within he scope of these limitations. For example, a fragmentation grenade can be an excellent weapon; however, it would not be my first choice if I were fighting in a phone booth.
The primary quality that a weapon must possess in order to be suitable for defensive use is the capability of injuring or incapacitating an attacker. It need not have the ability to kill an attacker to be effective. For example, pepper sprays have been used very successfully in self-defense but are not by design lethal weapons. Based on this interpretation, any weapon capable of injuring an attacker badly enough to stop or deter his attack is considered a valid weapon.
With this in mind, take any resilient knife and, from a distance of less than 12 feet (where most real fights are likely to start), throw it hard at a wooden target. Whether it sticks or not, note the force of the impact. Now imagine that impact, with or without the edge/point of the knife, smacking into your face, neck, chest, or groin. Would it kill you? Probably not. Would it slow you down? I think so.
At this point in my argument most so-called experts usually dredge up the two most common criticisms of defensive knife throwing, so let me address them here.
If you throw your knife, you're throwing away your only weapon. The answer to this question is obviously not to throw your knife unless you have another weapon. Since it is doubtful that a thrown knife (or, for that matter, a manually inserted knife) will instantly incapacitate an attacker, you throw to wound or simply distract the attacker while you get another weapon. If you have only one knife, but a loaded shotgun is only a few steps away, throw your knife and grab the shotgun. If, on the other hand, you only have one knife and no back-up weapons are available, you don't throw it.
If you throw your knife and miss, your opponent can pick it up and use it against you. First of all, unless you're involved in a military action or some kind of covert operation, you probably shouldn't be throwing your knife at an unarmed person. If you are involved in some kind of special ops spook-type activities, you should use your MP-5SD or one of the other high-tech toys the no-name agency for which you work typically provides before you resort to throwing a knife.
For the average citizen facing an unarmed opponent in a self-defense situation, the fact that you have a knife and the other guy doesn't should end the encounter. If he insists on fighting you even though you're armed, he's got more balls than brains. Keep the knife in your hand and cut any body part he aims in your direction. If a better weapon than a knife is available, keep him at bay with your knife while you get that weapon. If you do throw your knife to create an opening to go for the other weapon, you will still have the advantage, even if he comes at you with your own knife.
Most blade-oriented cultures realized the combat potential of knife throwing and included it among their weapon skills. They also realized its limitations, used it only within the constraints of those limitations, and, when circumstances did not favor its use, switched to a more appropriate weapon. Knife throwing was never intended to be the last word in armed combat, but applied properly, can be a worthwhile addition to your personal arsenal of weapon skills.



mike j

[Michael Janich]

Dear Clipiteer:

One more thought...

At the risk of promoting my own products, my Paladin Press video "Making It Stick" does address this issue by demonstrating the effective throwing of "improvised" weapons (defined as things that are not purpose-designed for throwing). These include a Spyderco Endura, scissors, screwdrivers, and other things that might be laying around when you're attacked. I also demonstrate a throw with a ballpoint pen designed to facilitate a draw (and three pelvic shots) with a Glock 23.

In my opinion, applied properly, throwing can be both practical and effective.

mike j

[sal]

Well said Mike.

sal

[clipiteer]

Thanks Michael. I hadn't really thoght of throwing knives as being very practical before, but I guess it could be in the right situation. Even if you did miss though, the thought of seeing a Boker Applegate-Fairbain Smatchet hurtling towards their head would at the least deter or distract someone from making an attack.

clipiteer

...and i'm fresh out of bubblegum.

[Mr.Skin]

I've never been a fan of throwing my folders. But, at the Aug MBC class, Mike give a short example his techiques of throwing. All in all it made a lot of since.

Gavin

...from whose bourn, no traveler returns.

[Knife Knut]

Check this guy's revolutionary throwing knive out. I am using the word revolutionary properly.

http://www.accuflightinc.com/NoFrames/nfheader.htm

[Michael Janich]

Dear Knife Knut:

The product shown in the link you provided is very cool, but not really new. Rather than a true throwing knife, it is what's called a "hand quarrel." Like an arrow or crossbow bolt/quarrel, it is stabilized by fletching at the rear end to make it fly point forward. Chinese cloth darts work in much the same way.

If you want to enjoy the thrill of throwing and sticking without a lot of practice, items like this are great.

Stay safe,

mike j

[spydieman]

Just some interesting FYI: The Okinawans developed the Sai to defend against the Samurai sword. They would use them in pairs, but often carried a third in their belt so they could throw one in hopes of disabling their attacker as he charged them. In the event that the thrown sai did not work, they would pull the third sai out of their belt and still have two to fight with.

This doesn't really answer any of the questions above but goes along with what Mr. Janich posted.

Mark.

Edited by - spydieman on 8/14/2002 5:43:23 PM

[Rex G]

Just be aware that knives designed specifically for throwing are illegal in many jurisdictions, and are poor for utility use. Throwing ANYTHING at someone's face can be tactically wise, in that most people will try to protect their face. A totally legal improvised weapon that hits hard would be a spark plug! Pepper spray can also be very effective; just be sure to get a professional-grade product, such as one used by a police department that has actually tested the stuff. I use First Defense, and in my experience it is very effective.