Though they undeniably possess something of a hardcore cult following, throwing knives are unequivocally one of the most niche varieties of blades out there. As such, it’s a little harder to find resources on these knives, which is why we’ve opted to take a deep dive into the product space, getting hands-on with an array of the latest and greatest edged projectiles for this curated guide to and review of the best throwing knives. 

Selection & Testing

When setting out to uncover the best throwing knives on the market, we began our search by making a list of the main types of models we wanted to include — such as best budget set, best compact set, best mini axe set, best prograde set, and so on. From there, we scrutinized each throwing set’s dimensions, design, materials, and sheath.

With these areas guiding our search, we then generated a shortlist of throwing knife sets that we got hands-on with in order to gain a more comprehensive sense of each set’s characteristics, from how balanced they were, to their build quality, to how well they lent themselves to different styles of throwing. In order to conduct this testing, we did exactly what you’d expect; we set up a target and proceeded to throw each set of knives several thousand times each in a bid to get better acquainted with each and uncover their strengths and weaknesses. Armed with the firsthand information from our hands-on review process, we the narrowed our original shortlist down to the final selections below.  

Target Practice Testing: When carrying out our hands-on testing, each knife was thrown several thousand times at a tree and a piece of wood — both of which were adorned in paper shooting targets. These knife sets were thrown in a variety of different styles and techniques and were flung from distances ranging between 8’ and 20’. 

KA-BAR Throwing Knife Set

Best Entry-Level Pick: Dating all the way back to 1894, KA-BAR has a long and illustrious history that’s seen the brand produce a great many knives and tools, though it’s unquestionably best-known for its USMC Fighting Knife. Tough-as-nails, this full-sized combat and survival knife offers solid performance at an accessible price, and can legitimately go toe-to-toe with fixed blades costing several times as much. And, while it’s a very different product, the KA-BAR Throwing Knife Set is characterized by many of these same qualities. 

The Good 

Measuring 9.375” overall — making it a medium-sized set — KA-BAR’s throwers are composed of 3Cr13 steel that’s unsharpened on its blade edges, making them easier and safer for new throwers to handle. The use of 3Cr13 also allows for a decently-rugged set that’s both affordable and fairly easy to re-hone and resharpen. Thanks to a nearly-0.20-inch thickness, the knives each weigh in at 6.5oz, which isn’t particularly heavy for a throwing knife, but it’s nonetheless enough heft to afford them with pretty solid sticking power — especially for their sub-10-inch size. In fact, despite being similar in size, the KA-BAR Throwing Knife Set affords markedly better sticking power than the other knives I tested around that length like the CRKT and Kershaw models. 

The asymmetrical blade shape is another noteworthy detail in my eyes, as it gives the set an interesting look without compromising its throw-worthiness. The design of the handle is simple but effective, and not only provides sufficient grip, but it also lends itself to a wide variety of throwing styles, making it perfect for new throwers looking to experiment with the hobby. With a current price just south of the $25 mark, the KA-BAR Throwing Knife Set offers pretty unbeatable value. 

In general, this set throws really well and makes it a lot easier to stick into a target than the above mentioned  models. Having said that, I didn’t find them to offer the best accuracy — though some of this is no doubt owed to my own throwing skills (or lack thereof). While the design, size, balance, and weight make this set ideal for novice throwers, its conduciveness to beginner use is furthered by how cheap they are. When learning to throw with more premium knives, you often have to worry about hard misses that can potentially damage the throwing knives. This couldn’t be further from the case with KA-BAR’s set, however, as its MSRP requires such a minimal investment. 

Supplementary Strengths

It’s not uncommon for cheaper knives and pieces of gear — especially ones crafted from a single piece of steel — to boast a somewhat cheap overall feel, but this isn’t the case with the KA-BAR set, as it could easily pass for being one of the brand’s USA-made items which is particularly impressive on account of the set’s price. This set also ships with a stacked sheath that’s cut from a polyester that’s considerably more rugged than many of the nylon sheaths I tested — a fairly surprising detail considering this set’s wildly-accessible price point. 

And, while it doesn’t really impact its performance as a throwing knife, I couldn’t help but notice that if one were to wrap the handle of these knives in paracord (or craft a set of scales) and sharpen the blade, the knives that comprise KA-BAR’s Throwing Knife Set could actually be turned into fairly competent fixed blades for regular, non-throwing use. So, while this isn’t really a factor that should be taken into account when shopping for throwing knives, it’s nonetheless a cool aside. 

The Not So Good

As much as I legitimately enjoyed using it, I will say KA-BAR’s Throwing Knife Set isn’t exactly perfect — which frankly shouldn’t be surprising considering that  this set can be picked up for under $25. Not unlike the set’s unsharpened blade edges, its tips are incredibly dull and definitely limit the knives’ ability to stick into a target. Fortunately, thanks to the easily-hone-able 3Cr13 construction, I was able to resharpen the blade’s tips using a low grit which instantly increased my stick rate by a noticeable amount. Additionally, this set’s sheath feels generally solid, through the Velcro strap that can be used to secure the knives feels a bit flimsy — and just feels sort of cheap compared to the rest of the heavy-duty polyester sheath. 

Verdict: Armed with excellent sticking power for its size, the KA-BAR Throwing Knife Set is a capable beginner-friendly option that offers solid performance at an exceedingly fair price. If you’re on a tight budget and still want to get into throwing, it’s hard to think of a better pick.

Kershaw Ion

Best Compact Pick: Since its debut in 2015, the Kershaw Ion has become one of the most popular entry-level throwing knife sets — and for very good reason. They’re affordable, versatile, and incredibly easy to throw. They also sport a symmetrical design that’s incredibly well balanced, plus allow for some of the best accuracy of any set I tested. They also offers pretty great value — but we’re still just scratching the surface here for all the reasons the Ion is so deserving of its spot on this list. 

The Good

Made from 3Cr13, this Kershaw model span 9.0” overall and boast a thickness of 0.1370”. Tipping the scales at 4.5oz each, these were some of, if not the single lightest set of throwing knives that I tested. Sold with a nylon sheath, this three-knife set features a symmetrical double-edged arrowhead-inspired blade shape that’s sharpened on both sides. Directly below the blade is a skinny handle that’s wrapped in paracord and fitted with a generously sized finer hole. 

I was also pretty blown away by just how ridiculously wet balanced this set proved itself to be. This made it much easier to get predictable results when throwing, which makes it easier to grow and progress as a knife thrower. Being quite a bit thinner than most of the other throwers I tested, I was instantly worried that one hard missed throw may heavily damage or destroy the tip of the Ion set, but it proved to hold up quite well, only needing a bit of hammering and filing from time to time. 

Supplementary Strengths 

The open circle that caps off the bottom of the handle allows for some interesting grips, pinches, and throwing styles, plus makes it way easier to control its spin rate. I still had trouble performing half turn and no-turn throws — largely due to its short length — but those are really the only areas where I felt it was seriously lacking, save for its mediocre sticking power. With prices starting from around $35, this set also represents a pretty massive step up from the KA-BAR set while only costing around $10 more. All-things-considered. It affords pretty stellar bang-for-your-buck, too. 

Another one of my favorite aspects of this set was how it was super easy to quickly grab and throw them one after another — an area owed directly to the set’s small size and finger holes. The way its sheath is laid out further aids in this area as well. Though it’s only the knives’ tip that really matters, I nonetheless appreciate that Kershaw sharpens the entire edge of both sides of the blade. And while it definitely wouldn’t be my first choice for an EDC fixed blade or a camp knife, I still feel the need to point out that the Ion — thanks to its sharpened blade edges — can actually be used for regular knife tasks, at least a lot better than every other throwing knife set that I tested. 

The Not So Good

The same lightweight nature and diminutive scale that make this set so easy to throw and precisely control also results in the set’s main Achilles heel, and that’s the fact its 4.5-ounce weight considerably compromises sticking power. Due to this lack of weight, if the tip doesn’t enter at just the right angle, the knife will rarely stick into the target, leaving a smaller margin of error. The silver lining here is that the set then forces you to dial-in your control which makes you a better thrower.  

My other issue with the Ion set is its handle wrap. Though it does provide a unique appearance, I really didn’t like throwing the Ion set with paracord wrapped around the handle, and enjoyed them markedly more once I’d stripped the tang of its paracord as they become a lot easier to throw in my opinion. All in all, still a great set of throwing knives, just not a perfect one. 

Verdict: Characterized by its symmetrical arrowhead-inspired blade shape and paracord-wrapped, finger hole-equipped handle design, the Kershaw Ion is a capable mid-sized all-arounder throwing knife set that offers a major step up in quality and performance without much of an increase in price. If finesse, accuracy, and control are at the top of your list of priorities, this is almost certainly the set to get.  

CRKT Onion Throwing Knives

Best Upgrade Pick: The youngest ever inductee into the Blade Magazine Hall of Fame, Ken Onion is unquestionably one of the most revered knife designers on the planet, having been responsible for a slew of now-iconic knives, as well as the force behind various now-common mechanisms such as the SpeedSafe assisted opening setup. As one of the most legendary blade designers, it probably won’t come as a surprise to learn the Hawaii-based knife-maker has also managed to pen one of the finest sets of throwing knives on the market with the unimaginatively-named CRKT Onion Throwing Knives.  

The Good

Sold in sets of three, the Onion Throwing Knives feature a symmetrical design that spans 11.66” in total and boasts a 1050 carbon steel construction — an alloy more commonly found on machetes and rugged outdoor and survival knives (and a major step up from 3Cr13). Leaving the factory with unsharpened blade edges, this set also has a middle-of-the-road 0.15-inch thickness that makes them fairly lightweight and easy to control, while still having enough mass behind it to properly stick when thrown on target. The fuller grooves in blade and handle also add some definite style points while at the same time bolstering grip. 

Though it’s not quite on par with the Ion set, Ken Onion’s design is still pretty well balanced. That, combined with the extended length of these CRKT knives makes them great for learning spin control. The length also results in an effect that seems to exaggerate any minor inputs, which makes them perfect for learning and practicing different throwing styles. After only an hour or so, despite having little to no prior experience with the technique, I was able to consistently stick underhanded half spin throws — and with surprisingly decent accuracy. The more svelte weight figure also means your throws have to be pretty accurate in order to get the knives to stick. 

Supplementary Strengths 

The set comes with a woven nylon sheath with a stacked design. This snap-secured sheath is of a much, much higher quality than the Kershaw or KA-BAR sheaths I tested. and even comes decorated in a custom rubber CRKT patch — a detail normally reserved for markedly more premium knives. And while it definitely isn’t for everyone, the faux speckled blood aesthetic did make it a lot easier to find and recover the knives when throwing them in the woods or in areas where the ground was lined in dry leaves. 

Despite not being sharpened, the blade culminates in a very pointy tip that’s been given a grind at the very end. With so much of the knife’s mass behind it, it also sticks really well for a knife of this weight. As someone that enjoys playing with Balisongs and spinning, twirling, and catching knives, I loved how the totally unsharpened edges of the Onion Throwing Knives allowed me to flip them in the air and catch them without having to worry about potentially cutting myself (even when barehanded). 

The Not So Good

Though they were few and far between — and all pretty minor in nature — I still had a few gripes with Ken Onion’s throwing set. While I appreciate that it’s been applied using a powder-coating, I’m just not a fan of the red-speckles-over-black finish this set sports, as it does provide a bit of visual pop, but in my opinion almost five them a similar feel to as station knives or mall ninja weapons. This area is made more problematic by the fact this is the only color this set is offered in. 

My more significant complaint surrounding this set stems from its weight — or lack of it rather. The 5.1oz weight no doubt limits sticking power, though the slender shape and nearly-one-foot-length do make it superior to the Kershaw Ion set in this regard. Having said that, this is ultimately more of an issue with smaller throwing knives than it is specifically with this set, so I can only deduct so many points here, but I feel it’s still worth touching on. 

Verdict: Forged in 1050 carbon steel, the CRKT Onion Throwing Knives feature a stretched, symmetrical design that makes it an ideal option for developing spin control or learning various throwing techniques. Excellent grip and a ridiculously well-balanced nature only add to the strengths of this Ken Onion-designed set.  

Condor Half Spin

Best All-Around Pick: Based in El Salvador, Condor Tool & Knife tends to operate in a unique part of the larger product space by delivering value-laden pieces of gear that are still of the more premium variety. From its survival and bushcraft blades to its axes and machetes, the company’s items boast high-end materials, excellent craftsmanship, and generally impressive performance — traits that are present across the board on the Condor Half Spin. 

The Good

Meticulously crafted in El Salvador, the three knives that comprise the Half Spin set are forged in premium 1075 carbon steel — the most high-end construction on this list. This 1075 full tang construction makes for an extraordinarily hardwearing set of throwing knives, but also one that can still be re-sharpened with relative ease. Weighing in at a considerable 10.80oz each, the knives in this set measure in at just under a foot (or 11.80” to be exact). Boasting a beefy thickness of 0.20”, the handle features drilled out holes that help to bolster grip — though not as much as a milled pattern or knurling would. 

The set sports a simple yet highly effective symmetrical design. The very tip of the Half Spin knives have been ground down to a razor-sharp tip, and the first few inches extending down from either side of the tip have also been ground to a sharp edge. What’s more, like tanto profiles, the shape of these throwing knives and their blades’ tips are naturally reinforced. 

This set’s moniker is a bit of a misnomer. Though it admittedly lends itself to half spin-style throwing, it’s just as conducive to other techniques and releases, from multi-rotation to no-spin tosses. When the knife is released, its trajectory is ultra-predictable, accurate, and, most importantly, repeatable. The sheer mass of the Half Spin knives not only affords them with stellar sticking power, but it also provides an immensely satisfying “thump” sound when the tip enters its target. I also loved how much power I was able to put behind my throws when using this set. Accuracy is slightly lessened by the set’s overall mass — though this is at least partially a “me issue” and isn’t necessarily the fault of the knives themselves. 

Supplementary Strengths

Despite some heavy misses into concrete and occasionally hitting the handle of knives already stuck into the target, the tip of Condor’s Half Spin knife never chipped, broke, or snapped, and it took quite a bit to even get the thing to slightly bend — something that could be repaired with a bit of work with a hammer and file. Additionally, at one point during my testing I accidentally lodged one of the knives so deep into a tree that I was really struggling to get it out — at which time the bottom of the Condor Half Spin’s handle proved to be a surprisingly effective pry tool (which frankly isn’t surprising considering its 1075 construction and 0.20” thickness). 

As if the knives alone aren’t enough, Condor has paired this set with a premium sheath that’s made from ultra-rugged ballistic nylon and trimmed in leather. The Condor Half Spin is also legitimately comparable to sets costing twice as much. So, while there are some other thoroughly impressive, value-laden competitors on the market, I’d argue this is the best throwing knife set currently available for under the $100 mark. 

The Not So Good

After a few hundred throws, I returned to my notes in a bid to determine what aspects of this set I didn’t like or felt could be improved upon. Despite my best efforts, this attempt was largely to no avail, as I legitimately believe Condor has delivered what’s quite possibly the closest thing to the perfect throwing knife — save for the fact the handle would likely benefit from a bit of texturing, machining, or some other element to bolster grip above and beyond the drilled out holes. 

Verdict: With an incredibly calculated design, awesome sticking power, unparalleled durability, and terrific value, the Condor Half Spin undoubtedly represents one of the best full-sized throwing knives on the market — and quite possibly the very best for under-a-bill. Whether you’re just getting your feet wet with the hobby or are a seasoned vet, you really can’t go wrong with the Half Spin set.  

WKTL Merlin

Best Competition Spec Pick: Anyone serious about throwing will no doubt be familiar with the planet’s utmost authority on the sport/hobby; the World Knife Throwing League — or “WKTL.” The organization holds competitions that see entrants each take ten throws at a target from several distances, using a knife that’s at least 13.5” in length but no more than 16” — and one that weighs less-than-1.65lbs. In addition to organizing, running, and judging the events, the WKTL also dabbles in churning out its own regulation-sized, competition-approved throwing knives — our favorite of which is the WKTL Merlin (however, we’ll also very partial to the Toro Besito, though it’s not a regulation knife). 

The Good

Coming in at a massive 14.25” in length and sporting an equally huge 0.2360-inch thickness, the Merlin sports a super idiosyncratic profile that was almost certainly inspired by medieval swords. This unique design has been brought to life in 3Cr13 stainless steel, giving the set solid properties while still allowing the WKTL to sell it at an accessible price point. 

Unsurprisingly, these proportions coupled with the set’s 3Cr13 construction together result in a hefty weight of 17.30oz (i.e. more-than-a-pound!). While this can make it more difficult for novice users to throw accurately (with repeatable results), it gives the Merlin pretty unparalleled sticking power. The knives just sink into wood like nothing else I’ve experienced short of an axe.  Like the Condor Half Spin, the Merlin’s tip is extremely sharp and pointy right out of the box, and the edges of the blade have also been sharpened for the first few inches running down from either side of the point. This further enhances its sticking prowess. 

Supplementary Strengths

The hand guards that the knives features were designed to prevent the knives from ripping through the protective fencing behind targets, though they definitely give the set a much more unique look and feel — and one that can be furthered via any of the WKTL’s available painted versions of the Merlin. The handle’s hand guard also makes it much easier to remove the knives from trees or targets when they get lodged in particularly deep. 

For its size, it is surprisingly easy to throw. Several of my friends that were camping with me when I tested these knives were able to get more than 50% of their throws to stick when using this set, despite having zero prior experience throwing knives. Alongside the Southern Grind Wasp set, these same friends were able to get their throws to stick with the Merlin more than any other. Because of the semi-budget 3Cr13 construction, the Merlin doesn’t hold the best edge but is very easy to fix with a hammer and file. And, while it’s not as well balanced as some of its smaller counterparts, the thing is still really well balanced for its size. It’s also crucial to note that this set was developed for competition use — though it lends itself just as well to causal amateur use. 

Not So Good

While it does meet regulation sizing, the Merlin is still an objectively large and objectively heavy throwing knife. As such, it’s a bit trickier to accurately aim with — though it more than makes up for this with its crazy sticking power and the ridiculous amount of satisfaction the set provides when they stick. The set is also on the pricier side considering its budget construction. Even if it raised the MSRP a bit, I’d love to see the Merlin crafted from 1050 or even 1075. At the end of the day, this set’s aforementioned issues are all hugely outweighed by the set’s laundry list of strengths and highlights.  

Verdict; Made by the World Knife Throwing League, the WKTL Merlin is a large, sword-inspired throwing knife that meets regulation sizing for competition — and provides some of the best sticking power I’ve ever experienced. 

Southern Grind Wasp

Best Throwing Hatchets: While the Southern Grind Wasp technically isn’t a throwing knife, it is one helluva set that should definitely be considered when shopping in this space — especially if fun is your top priority. Made in America by a boutique brand in small batches, this set is crafted from a top-shelf 8670M high-carbon alloyed steel that’s up cycled from old sawmill blades — all of which benefit from a lifetime of heat cycles that hugely increases overall toughness and helps bolster edge retention. 

The Good

I was initially put off by how thin these hatchets, as they clock in at just 0.110”, though their 11.50-inch length  gives them more than enough heft to sink into targets. Further bolstering its ability in this area is the fact that the upper and low tips of the axe head and the rear tomahawk spike have all been sharpened to a ridiculous, almost irresponsible extent. The actual edge of the head is also razor-sharp. 

The head’s two tips and the rear spike collectively provide a trio of tips, making it several times easier to stick the target (especially for inexperienced throwers that haven’t mastered rotation control). This basically allows anyone to pick up a Wasp, chuck it at a target, and have a good chance of sticking it — making it by far the best casual use thrower on this list. What’s more, the head of the Wasp has also been equipped with a small cutout that lets it serve as a bottle opener, again, making for a great casual use pick. 

Supplementary Strengths

I was pleasantly surprised by how well balanced this set was, as I have experience with plenty of throwing knives but had never previously dipped my toes into the world of throwing hatchets. The shape and curve of the handle provides stellar ergonomics and makes it really easy to control your throw’s spin rate. Like the WKTL Merlin, there’s something incredibly satisfying about throwing and sticking Southern Grind’s Wasp. On  another very subjective and somewhat sentimental note, I also just love the look of this set, as the whole hybrid throwing knife-throwing axe design is just really unique. 

While it’s a small detail, I like that this set comes with four units rather than three, as it allows me to throw one more time before needing to go pull from the target. And, considering its domestic manufacturing, material selection, build quality, and attention to detail, I’d actually argue this set, while pricey, actually provides pretty strong value. This is also the only thrower set I tested that ships with a rigid KYDEX sheath (with an included Ultimate Belt Attachment clip, too). 

The Not So Good

Though the Wasp was one of the two sets that I had the most fun throwing with — with the other being the WKTL set — it did have a few minor issues.The KYDEX sheath provides fantastic retention, but almost to a problematic extent as it could sometimes be difficult to remove the Wasps. And, while I didn’t personally experience this, several of my friends and coworkers that I tested these throwing knives with came extremely close to cutting their hands on the sharpened tomahawk point on the back of the hatchet’s head when removing it from the sheath. Lastly, while I’d argue its American manufacturing and premium construction make it fairly easy to justify its price, roughly $250 is still a lot to spend on a throwing knife (or hatchet) set. 

Verdict: A unique throwing knife-throwing axe hybrid, the Southern Grind Wasp is an easy-to-use, USA-made 4-item thrower set thanks to a decent heft and three tips that have all been sharpened to hell and back — a design that makes sticking effortless. If you’re not interested in becoming an expert and are simply looking to have a good time, this set should definitely be your go-to pick — assuming you can swing the admittedly steep price. 

Throwing Knives Comparison Chart

What Are Throwing Knives?

It might seem simple on a surface level — throwing knives are, put in the most basic terms, knives that you throw, right? Well, that’s not exactly true. Yes, you can theoretically throw any knife. However, some knives were actually designed to be thrown, just as others were designed for outdoor survival, combat, everyday carry, etc. To help you understand this class of knives, their origins, history, and purpose, we’ve composed the following at-a-glance overview.

Stylistically speaking, there’s not really any definable designs to help you figure out what types of throwing knives there are on the market. Put simply: a throwing knife can theoretically have a design that fits any style — existing or not-yet-invented. However, most tend to conform to straight, rigid shapes (like other styles of fixed blades), as these tend to be better for the act of throwing. Karambits, for instance, have a curved blade and handle shape and, therefore, are far more difficult to throw with accuracy and, more importantly, are harder to score a “hit” with.

The 3 Main Types Of Throwing Knives

As such, throwing knives are better organized into three throwing knife-specific categories: blade-heavy, handle-heavy, and balanced. As their names suggest, blade-heavy knives have most of their weight toward the tip of the blade’s profile, handle-heavy knives are heavier at the handle, and balanced knives (in theory) have their weight spread evenly between handle and blade. Blade-heavy knives tend to be best for beginners, as they work well with instinctive throwing — meaning you’d throw from the handle either over- or under-handed — and the heavy blade is the likeliest portion of the knife to hit your intended target. 

Handle-heavy knives are typically thrown via the blade (typically with a “pinch” grip, meaning you’d hold the blade between your forefinger and thumb) and are much less suited to use by beginners, as they have a steeper learning curve. Balanced blades can be thrown via the handle or blade, thus making them the most versatile of the three and can be great for users of all skill levels, though we’d still probably suggest that beginners try a blade-heavy knife first.

When & Why To Use Throwing Knives

I can count on one hand how many scenarios in which it would actually make sense to throw a knife in a tactical or combat setting — after all, throwing knife or not, it’s seldom recommended to throw your only weapon. The reality is that throwing knives is just plain fun. Not unlike using a butterfly knife, it’s an entertaining skill that allows you to grow and progress over time and sharpen your skill set. There’s also something immensely satisfying about learning to throw a knife.

What To Consider When Shopping

As melee hand-to-hand combat weapons that are used as projectiles, it’s not hard to see why throwing knives have long been something of the black sheep of the family in the edged-weapons world. Additionally, a great many of the factors one would normally consider when shopping for a knife simply don’t apply to blades of the throwing variety. Well aware of this reality, we’ve broken down some of the most pivotal areas one should consider before buying a throwing knife or throwing knife set. 

Design: The term “throwing knife” actually encompasses more than just knives, with this segment being made up of everything from throwing knives to throwing tomahawks and compact hatchets to throwing spikes to Shuriken (ninja stars) to throwing cards. Each one of these thrown weapons offers its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Selecting what type of throwing knife you want to use should ultimately be the jumping off point for your search. 

Rotation & Throwing Style: The vast majority of throwing knives are what are called rotational weapons (i.e. items that rotate as they travel through the air). There are also non-rotational thrown weapons that don’t spin and instead simply travel in a straight line. This is another important area to think about when shopping. 

Size: Throwing knives come in a wide variety of different shapes and sizes. Smaller throwing knives tend to be easier to throw, though they lack of weight and power of their larger counterparts. The trick here is to ultimately find a balance between the two. It’s also worth mentioning that several of our favorite throwing knives are sold in multiple sizes/lengths. 

Blade Steel: Just like with any knife, the type of blade steel used will determine how strong the blade will be, as well as how well it will hold an edge (and for how long) — though heat treating also plays a role here. Because throwing knives are fixed blade items, these knives are almost always comprised solely of a single construction— with the alloy making up both the handle and blade in a single full-tang unit. Not unlike with axes, throwing knives are most often made from rugged tool steels — rather than modern powder metallurgy blade steels that are more commonly used on EDC blades such as Böhler M390 and CPM S30V. 

Balance: One of the most important factors when reviewing a throwing knife is how well-balanced a design is, and this single element contributes more to the performance of a throwing knife than any other. Fortunately, most modern throwing knives are fairly well balanced, though the most surface-level digging on forums and product review pages should give a clear sense of this area. 

Number Of Knives: While there are some throwing knives that are sold individually, it’s far more common to see these items sold in sets of two, three, or four. 

Sheath: While your main focus should be on the actual throwing knives, we still recommend paying attention to the type of sheath that ships with each set, as these items can hugely differ in areas like overall retention, carrying options, and quality. 

Honorable Mentions

If you’re looking for a cheap but capable set of throwing knives to dip your toes into the hobby — and aren’t fond of the Kershaw Ion or KA-BAR Throwing Knife Set — we’d highly recommend checking out the SOG Fling. Sold in sets of three, the aptly-named Fling is made from 3Cr13 and features a handle that comes wrapped in 7’ of paracord. Offering outstanding value, this set also ships with an included ballistic nylon sheath. Though they lack the balance and striking power of their larger, more premium counterparts, this is nonetheless a terrific set to learn on. 

From sharpeners to axes to everyday carry knives, Spyderco produces some of the best edges tools and peripherals on the market, so it should come as no surprise that the Colorado company’s take on a throwing knife set — the Spyderco Spyder Throwers — represents one of the best options out there. The set is designed by Harald Moeller and sees one of his boutique sets put into production under Spyderco’s mindful eye. Offered in small (9.0”),  medium (10.13”), and large (11.13”) sizes, these top-shelf throwers feature a symmetrical design that’s brought to life in 8Cr13MoV. Sadly, while they are still readily available for purchase online, the Spyder Throwers have been discontinued and are no longer in production, forcing us to make this otherwise-guaranteed-to-be-included pick an honorable mention. 

If you’re interested in getting into genuine knife throwing competitions, you can’t go wrong with Boker Magnum’s “tournament-grade” Bailey Ziel set. These handsome tools are each crafted from a single, solid piece of 420J2 steel and are perfectly balanced from tip to tail. Best of all, they were made specifically to meet the standards set by most, if not all, knife-throwing clubs. The set is incredibly well balanced and allows for a variety of different throwing styles. The build quality on this set also feels fantastic. 

The WKTL Toro Besito isn’t your average throwing knife. Made by the World Knife Throwing League, this non-regulation model is a throwing cleaver that spans 15.875” and weighs in at a whopping 2.43lbs. Forged in 3Cr13 stainless steel, this 0.236-inch-thick cleaver sports a blacked-out color way that’s been complemented via a Toro bull head cutout and a large bevel with a purple finish — details that seriously elevate the overall look of the knife. Also offered in multiple painted versions, the Toro Besito is a terrific knife, though due to its objectively unorthodox nature — and the fact it’s not what most people have in mind when they go shopping for throwing knives — we’ve opted to make this throwing cleaver another honorable mention. 

In the same way you can’t talk about the best EDC knives without mentioning Chris Reeve Knives, Microtech, and Benchmade, you can’t discuss the best throwing knife producers without bringing up Flying Steel. Made by a boutique brand that specializes exclusively in meticulously crafting throwing knives, the USA-made Flying Steel Set Of Three clocks in at 13.5” overall. Without a shadow of a doubt, this set unquestionably represents one of the finest throwing knife options on the market. Sadly, due to a timing issue, we were unable to get hands-on with Flying Steel’s Set Of Three, forcing us to relegate this objectively awesome pick to being a very, very honorable mention. 

Tested: The Best Slingshots for the Money

If you enjoy the hobby of knife-throwing, there’s a pretty decent likelihood that you’ll also possess a proclivity for slingshots — the latest and greatest of which we’ve rounded up for our hands-on review of the best slingshots for plinking and hunting.