SolidGuides.com may get an affiliate commission when you buy through links on our website. Read More.

Whether you’ve been throwing for years or are just learning the ropes, you need the best throwing knives to safely and accurately hit your targets.

To help you know where to best spend your money, we have put together a handy guide to make it easy for you. We reviewed what we feel are 10 of the very best blades. We’re confident you will find a worthy throwing knife.

Don’t Have Time to Read the Whole Article?

Out of all the blades we threw, Gil Hibben’s Triple Pro Thrower gave us the best results. These knives are durable, precise, and come at an affordable price. Regardless of your skill level, you will feel right at home with this set.

For those wanting a knife that serves more than one purpose, QEONIX’s Cold Steel GI Tanto fits the bill. It is expertly crafted with a sharp point and nice balance. Use it for throwing, cutting brush, or even as a spear head.

Top 10 Best Throwing Knives

Now that you have an idea of what these knives can do, let’s read on to see what the rest hold. After you’ve scoped out our reviews, be sure to check our buyer’s guide that immediately follows. It has some great tips that will help you find the perfect throwing knife.


1. Gil Hibben Triple Pro Thrower Review - Best Value

https://solidguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gil-Hibben-Triple-Pro-Thrower-175x175.jpg
  • Affordable
  • Durable metal
  • Sturdy
  • Knives are rather short
check price

It should be no surprise that one of Gil Hibben’s many throwing knives ranks the highest in our guide. This man knows how to make a quality blade.

Each blade is stainless steel and forged to perfection. We often fuss over cord wrapping on the handles, but Gil’s set didn’t bother us. It feels right and offers the perfect blend of balance and weight.

Each knife measures 8 5/8 inches long, with a 4 ¼-inch blade. Some may find the 6.4-ounce weight to be a little light, but it works well for the balancing of these blades.

Features

  • Stainless steel
  • 8 5/8-inch total length
  • 4 ¼-inch blade
  • 6.4-ounce weight
  • Nylon sheath included

Ease of Use

With a great price and even better craftsmanship, you’ll find these are the perfect throwing knives. You’ll easily hit your targets with great rotation and accuracy.


2. QEONIX Cold Steel GI Tanto Review - Best Tactical Knife

https://solidguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/QEONIX-Cold-Steel-GI-Tanto-185x175.jpg
  • Affordable
  • Great tactical knife
  • Versatile design
  • Tough and durable
  • Only one knife
check price

If you’re looking for a blade that can do it all, look no further than the G.I. Tanto. You can take this out in the woods, use it to cut brush, and throw with precision.

It’s a true Jack-of-all-trades, but we were most interested in its throwing ability. The balancing takes a little bit of time to get the feel for it. But once you do, look out.

We were starting to impress ourselves with how well we were hitting targets. And that is a dangerous proposition in itself.

The G.I. Tanto’s 7-inch blade was the perfect length for us. The knife measures 12 inches long, which we felt gave it great balance after we had it in our hands for a while. And its carbon steel forging tells you that this is a tough and reliable blade.

As far as weight goes, you’re holding 10.6 ounces. We also felt this to be just right for throwing. Now, it is kind of a bummer to have to reset after each throw.

But we’re looking at this one as the complete package that is useful in all kinds of situations. And if you’re feeling extra creative, the G.I. Tanto easily converts into a spear.

Features

  • 12-inch total length
  • 7-inch blade
  • Included sheath
  • High-carbon steel

Ease of Use

Thanks to its many uses, we found this to be one of the easiest knives to carry. It throws great after a little bit of time with it, making it a handy companion.


3. Smith & Wesson SWTK10CP Review - Most Budget-Friendly

https://solidguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Smith-Wesson-SWTK10CP-262x175.jpg
  • Affordable
  • Quality blade edge
  • Well-balanced
  • Spear points
  • Long but light
check price

Military grade and build to last, the Smith & Wesson throwing knives are a great choice for beginners and professionals alike.

They feature dual-edged spear points that are razor-sharp. We really liked this aspect of the blades, as it helped us tremendously in sinking throws.

Thanks to high-carbon steel, each knife feels solid and sturdy. There’s no cord wrapping to get in your way, either. The handles are short but effective.

And thanks to a great balance of length and weight, throws are easy right out of the gate. Each knife measures 10 inches long and weighs in at 7 ounces.

Features

  • Carbon steel forging
  • 10-inches long
  • Weighs 7 ounces
  • Spear points
  • Includes nylon belt sheath

Ease of Use

We had no trouble taking these right to the target. They are crafted to help you throw farther and straighter. Throwers of all skill levels should have a ball with this set.


4. Expendables’ Kunai Review - Best Value

https://solidguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Expendables-Kunai-175x175.jpg
  • Great distance
  • Stylish design
  • Sharp points
  • Very durable
  • Awkward handle
check price

This set of three throwing knives will definitely take some getting used to. They sport a 12-inch total length, each with a cord-wrapped handle.

This helps to give the knife good balance, but you’ll need plenty of practice to hit targets with accuracy. But once you adapt to them, their ultra-sharp points penetrate anything in their path.

Fun fact: these are the knives used by Jason Statham’s character in the movie The Expendables. They not only look cool, but they are made well, too. Their stainless steel crafting gives you a blade you can rely on.

Features

  • 12-inch total length
  • AUS-6 stainless steel
  • 7-ounce weight
  • Cord wrapping
  • Leg strap included
  • Nylon sheath included

Ease of Use

Be prepared to spend plenty of time with these throwing knives. You might get frustrated with them at first. But after some serious practice, you begin to get a feel for their worth.


5. Perfect Point PP-28-3BK Review - Most Budget-Friendly

https://solidguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Perfect-Point-PP-28-3BK-175x175.jpg
  • Nice trajectory
  • Great price
  • Quality materials
  • Too small for some throwers
check price

If you’re looking to try your hand at some smaller, lighter throwing knives, Perfect Point’s set could be just the ticket.

Each knife weighs in at just 5 ounces, so you’ll need plenty of control to make them stick. They are stainless steel forged and come with their handles wrapped in cord.

We found the knives’ 6 ½-inch length to offer a nice balance. The cord wrapping didn’t bother us like on other knives, either. And it seems to suit this set rather well.

Features

  • 6 ½-inch total length
  • Weighs 5 ounces each
  • Included nylon sheath
  • Stainless steel
  • 3-piece set

Ease of Use

Once we got used to the design, we were throwing these knives over some good distance. They travel far and hit targets with precision.


6. Gil Hibben Competition GH2033 Review - Best Pain Relief

https://solidguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gil-Hibben-Competition-GH2033-175x175.jpg
  • Great for professionals
  • Ergonomic
  • Great weight
  • Nicely balanced
  • Expensive
  • Thin handle
check price

These professional-grade blades are built for serious throwers. You’ll need to have plenty of practice under your belt before jumping into these knives.

The handles are only slightly shorter than the blades. There isn’t any kind of wrapping, so you’ll want to be sure you know how to hold thin handles like these. This design allows throwers to attempt several different techniques.

The total length measures 12 1/8 inches. The stainless steel forging ensures you get a set of blades that are built to last.

Features

  • 420 stainless steel
  • 12 1/8 inches long
  • Includes leather sheath
  • Ergonomic design

Ease of Use

These knives are challenging to throw. As we stated, you’ll need plenty of experience to get the most use out of this set. But if you have plenty of experience, you’ll find the handles to accommodate many different styles.


7. Gil Hibben GenX Pro Review - Best for Beginners

https://solidguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gil-Hibben-GenX-Pro-175x175.jpg
  • Great balance
  • Ergonomic design
  • Perfect for beginners
  • Tough stainless steel
  • More expensive than others
check price

Beginners take note. The Gil Hibben GenX Pro is an excellent knife for learning the ropes. They are designed for aerodynamic travel, allowing you to hit targets with greater accuracy and precision.

Regardless of who is using them, Gil Hibben makes some great throwing knives. This hall-of-fame knife professional knows what goes into forging a great blade.

There are no cord wrappings or bulky handle designs. You just get a solid throwing blade that makes practicing a breeze.

Features

  • 11-inch total length
  • 5 ¾ inches of blade
  • Tempered stainless steel
  • Ergonomic handle
  • Includes nylon sheath

Ease of Use

Thanks to fantastic design and build quality, the GenX Pros are a joy to use. They have just the right balance that makes you want to keep trying for that perfect throw.


8. Magnum Bailey Mini Bo-Kri Knife Review - Best for Large Hands

https://solidguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Magnum-Bailey-Mini-Bo-Kri-Knife-194x175.jpg
  • Sturdy
  • Slow rotation
  • Good for practice
  • Well-balanced
  • Pricey for one blade
  • Very light blade
check price

Made by a thrower, for a thrower. This knife is designed by professional knife thrower John Bailey. It is a lightweight blade that will take some serious practice to master.

Its ergonomic design lends to excellent travel. And while the knife’s 7.6-ounce weight is a bit on the light side, its length kind of makes up for it.

At 10 ¾-inches, you’ll find you have a lot more control over your throws. You’re going to have to throw a lot harder to find success, but the added accuracy certainly helps.

Durability is high on Bailey’s Bo-Kri knife thanks to its stainless steel forging. The handle is straight stainless, as well. So there’s no pesky paracord wrapping to fight with.

Features

  • 10 ¾ inches in total length
  • 7.6-ounce weight
  • 420J2 stainless steel
  • Included leather sheath
  • Included leg straps

Ease of Use

It will take some dedication, but with practice you will find this to be a very accurate throwing knife. The lightweight design takes some getting used to. But that’s what helps you improve your throw.


9. Cold Steel True Flight Thrower Review - Great for the Minimalist

https://solidguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Cold-Steel-True-Flight-Thrower-175x175.jpg
  • Many uses
  • Razor sharp
  • Good weight
  • Spotty metal crafting
  • Pricey for only one knife
check price

We have to set the expectation that you only get a single knife, as it’s not a set. If you’re just learning to throw, this can be a minor inconvenience.

That being said, the quality of the True Flight Thrower is quite exceptional. It’s a bit longer than other entries, but that usually translates to easier throwing.

As big as this knife is, we found it to be quite useful in other applications besides throwing. The handle does come wrapped with cording, but you can easily remove this to better adjust its balance.

The knife measures a foot in total length, with a blade that is 7 ¾ inches long. The point is plenty sharp enough to start throwing right away.

Made of 1055 carbon steel, the Thrower is tough and durable. However, while we didn’t experience any breaking, some users did. The problem seems to lie in the hole that is drilled for the paracord. Over time, it may cause stress and eventual breakage. Take that for what it’s worth.

The price is fairly low. But again, you’re only getting one blade. If you’re interested in a knife with more than one use, we think you’ll be pretty pleased overall. But if you’re wanting to be able to throw rapid-fire, you may want to look into a set.

Features

  • 12-inch total length
  • 7 ¾-inch blade
  • 9.7-ounce weight
  • 1055 carbon steel
  • Included sheath
  • Protective coating
  • Paracord wrap

Ease of Use

The True Flight Thrower is a pleasure to use. It sticks well into targets and feels nice to hold. But having to reset after each throw is admittedly a bit frustrating.


10. SOG Throwing Knives Review - Best Entry-Level Brace

https://solidguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SOG-Throwing-Knives-175x175.jpg
  • Sharp point
  • Great indoor knife
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Stylish design
  • Paracord wrapping
  • Very lightweight
check price

SOG delivers a quality set of throwing knives that are crafted from stainless steel. They are very well-balanced and hit targets with precision.

Each knife measures 10 inches in length and sports a 4.4-inch blade. You get a nylon carrying sheath that is equipped with a Velcro belt loop, allowing you to keep them at your side for quick access.

Each knife is wrapped with a paracord. If you need to adjust the balance a bit better to your liking, this cord can easily be removed.

We found these blades to be hard and durable. The points come pre-sharpened and stick into targets quite well.

SOG has a respectable lifetime warranty that they include with their knives. If you take care of your blades, SOG will work to repair any problems you come across.

Features

  • 10-inch total length
  • 4 ¼-inch blade
  • 15.8-ounce weight
  • Full-tang stainless steel
  • Removable paracord
  • Nylon sheath
  • Lifetime warranty

Ease of Use

These knives are pretty light, so they aren’t the best choice for no-spin throwing. You will likely want to replace the manufacturer’s paracord with a more suitable material. The knives will throw much better as a result.


Throwing Knife Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to finding the right knife, a lot of it gets down to what feels comfortable to you. What I find easy to throw may be difficult for you, and vice versa.

However, there are some very important things to consider to ensure you’re using a quality blade. We want to cover some of the basics with you so that you will feel confident when shopping.

Personal preferences aside, we can say one thing with certainty. And that is if you follow these tips in your search for the right throwing knife, you will likely be happy with your purchase.

It’s hard to say which should come first, as some aspects are more important than others to knife throwers. For that reason, these are listed in no particular order.

Material

The material of your blade will literally make or break your throwing knife. It is vital that you research each blade to find out what kind of material the manufacturer used. Forged metal is often going to be your best bet.

Knives made of stainless steel can last a lifetime and remain sharp to boot. But if the cutler is trying to pass off cheap blades to make a quick buck, that fancy-looking knock-off will snap in short order.

Sharpness

To those who don’t throw, the word ‘sharpness’ will often conjure up images of a knife with a razor-sharp edge.

But in the throwing world, this refers to the point of the blade. Most knives come pre-sharpened, allowing you to start throwing immediately. There are occasions where you might want to sharpen further as a personal preference.

Test out your new blade a couple of times to see if it sticks in your target. You’ll be able to tell right away if the point needs to be sharper.

Length vs. Weight

For beginners, this has long been one of the biggest challenges. You want a knife that is well-balanced and feels great to hold. But if you go with one that is too long or too heavy, you risk sacrificing your throwing accuracy and safety.

Unless you’re Jason Johnson – or aspiring to be on his level – you’ll want to practice with blades that work for you and feel comfortable.

The heavier a knife is, the harder it will hit its target. If you don’t feel safe working with a heavy blade, it’s a good idea to work your way up after practicing with lighter ones.

Keep in mind, though, that if a knife is too light, it can be hard to use – especially if you’re new. You will often need a great deal of practice before landing throws with accuracy. The general rule of thumb is that every inch of the knife should weigh 1.5 ounces.

As you can see, it’s important for you to find that sweet spot that feels just right to you. Longer throwing knives will typically be the easiest to use if you’re just starting out.

The Handle

Falling in with length and weight is the handle. If you’re not familiar with using the balance of the blade and handle to your advantage, your throw won’t land properly. Furthermore, you risk jeopardizing your safety.

Depending on your throwing technique, you want to get a knife with a handle that compliments your style. For example, let’s say you want your blade to make a couple of rotations en route to the target. You’ll want to grip the handle for this action to occur.

If you get a knife that is hard for you to hold, your throws will suffer. To make sure you know what to watch for, let’s quickly discuss the most common types of handles you’ll come across in the wild.

Plastic

You’d do best to stay away from blades with plastic handles. It’s not a suitable material for throwing knives and won’t do much to help with balance.

Rubber

Same as above. If a manufacturer uses rubber handles, they are likely trying to accomplish two things. One is to give the knife better balance. The other is to do so as cheaply as possible. These two things don’t mix in throwing knives. Steer clear.

Cord Wrap

Unfortunately, many manufacturers are opting for cord wrap on their grips. This may look unique and stylish, but it’s not ideal for throwing. The cords often wear rather quickly, causing more aggravation than anything.

Customized

If you come across a throwing knife online or in a store that is embellished with a really fancy handle, use caution. These are often more for display purposes and don’t make very good throwing material.

Wood

This can be a toss-up. Some wooden handles work really well. They can help with balance and make the knife easier to throw. Other times, they add too much weight, thereby compromising accuracy and precision.

Ergonomics and Aerodynamics

Obviously, you want your blade to be able to travel through the air with as little resistance as possible. This will increase your chances of hitting your target. Better yet, hitting your target with accuracy.

You are going to benefit the most from knives that are slim in their craftsmanship. Try to avoid blades that have a lot of fancy (read: unnecessary) design attributes. These knives are more for show than they are for throwing.