If you are just getting started there are some things you should know when setting out to find the best throwing knives for beginners. Sure, you can throw anything from butter knives to screwdrivers to folding knives but do you really want to? You should start off with something easy for a beginner to stick in the wood. That means you need something that is the right weight, well balanced, and also a good length.
A good length is going to be somewhere between 8 to 12 inches long and a good weight range should be somewhere between 12-20 ounces. Exactly one pound is a good weight, however it isn’t necessary and lighter weight knives can still be thrown with accuracy.
With these 3 things accounted for you will end up with a solid knife that can get the hang of throwing rather quickly. It’s going to take some practice no matter how you cut it, but you can minimize those thuds and clangs if you pick the right kind of knives.
Whether as just a hobby or as a professionals, more and more people have been flocking to knife throwing in the last decade. It’s fairly easy and inexpensive to get started with as well.I’ve done my research on what the best throwing knives for beginners are and have come up with several good choices for you in this article. Some are better than others and some are cheaper than others but I’ll give you the low down on all of them to help you make the best choice. The specs on the knives listed are for the individual knives, not the set.
My top 6 best throwing knives for beginners
1. Smith & Wesson SWTK8CP Six 8in Stainless Steel Throwing Knives Set with Nylon Belt Sheath
weight: 4.7 ounces
length: 8 inches
composition:2Cr13 S.S.
edge:dual
This set of 6 from Smith & Wesson is great for beginners to knife throwing. They are right at 8 inches which is a pretty good length. They are on the lighter side at only 4.7 ounces each however they are well balanced and feel comfortable in your hand. You can certainly start with some that are bit heavier if you like and it may help you if you are just getting started. These little blades are very popular on Amazon, very durable, and manufactured by a quality knife maker.
2. United Cutlery GH2011 Gil Hibben Gen. 2 Large Triple Throwing Knife Set with Sheath
weight: about 6 ounces
length: 8.8 inches
composition: 420 stainless steel
edge: straight
A bit heavier than the Smith & Wessons above, these slightly larger throwing knives are also a solid choice for beginners. The spine is about 3/16 of an inch and allows for a really good grip. Not only are they durable but are nearly indestructible which is great for beginners to knife throwing. When you are new, chances are you aren’t going to bury the point into the wood on the first few tries. With quality blades like these you can afford to clang them many times and not worry about breaking them. I recommend this knife throwing guide to help get you started and give you a head start.
3. SOG Throwing Knives with Sheath – 3 Pk Straight Edge Throwing Knives
weight: 5 ounces
length: 10 inches
composition: 420 hardcased black stainless steel
edge: straight
SOG is a well known maker of quality throwing knives and axes. This 3 pack of throwing knives is no different. You get SOG’s limited lifetime warranty and the assurance that you are buying a quality product that comes with it. The handles are wrapped in paracord for an easier grip however it is removable for those of you that prefer just having cold steel in your hand. Removing the paracord may possibly throw off the balance though so keep that in mind. I would rank these as a good fit for anyone from beginner to intermediate.
4. Smith & Wesson SWTK8BCP 8″ Throwing Knives (3 Pack)
weight: 4.96 ounces
length: 8 inches
composition: Black 2Cr13 stainless steel
edge:dual
As they are almost identical to the first knives on this list I almost left them off. These though are black steel and there are only 3 making the price much lower. So you should consider these if you really like the Smith & Wessons above but would prefer to start out with 3 knives instead of 6. Everything aside from the color and knife count is identical.
5. Perfect Point PAK-712-12 Throwing Knife Set with 12 Knives – 8-1/2-Inch Overall
weight: 3.25 ounces
length: 8.5 inches
composition: stainless steel and black stainless steel
edge:straight
You get 12 in this set, 6 plain stainless and 6 black stainless. These ultra lightweight throwing knives are just over $2 a knife on Amazon at the time of writing this. When I say ultralight I really mean it, at only 3.25 ounces. Even though a much heavier throwing knife is recommended, especially for beginners, these little throwing knives make a good first knife set for anyone new to throwing.
They are on the cheaper side so the quality may not be quite as good as say the Smith and Wesson or the SOG, but as beginner you aren’t going to stick them every time and I would rather mess up some cheaper blades rather some nice ones. Having said that they are still well balanced, durable enough, and sharp.
6. Whetstone Cutlery 12 Piece Set of S-Force Kunai Knives with Carrying Case
weight: under 2 ounces
length: 6.5 inches
composition: stainless steel
edge:dual
These little 6.5 inch knives are probably the least expensive on Amazon per knife. You get 12 in this set and for only around $1.25 or so a knife you really can’t beat that as a beginner. Quality wise you might. I am not sure exactly how much they way but they are the lightest and shortest on this list. According to this Youtube video review on these knives they came in weight just 40 grams which is only 1.4 ounces! That can’t be right… can it? Then if you removed the paracord handles grips they would be even less. If you watch the video though this guy is able to stick them rather easily. If you are just looking for the cheapest you can possibly find then this is them.
