Are you a knife collector? Then you are not alone. This article on how to sharpen a throwing knife will help keep your knives sharp and effective.
It serves various functions, including fishing and hunting, cooking, and knife-throwing events. If you possess throwing knives, you’ve arrived at the right place where you will find the best way to sharpen throwing knives and how to sharpen a throwing knife with a stone.
Keep reading to get the inside scoop.
How to Sharpen a Throwing Knife
Choose the Right Sharpening Material
The materials required to produce sharp blades are not difficult to get. They are rather simple. However, it is essential to have the proper supplies.
Sharpening stones are the most valuable instruments. These include the main and finishing sharpening stones. The name for your main sharpening stone is the whetstone.
Choose the Right Grit Number
These stones are distinguished by their respective grit numbers. For example, the smaller the grit number, the rougher the stone.
Thus, it is essential to remember that lower numbers are preferable for the first sharpening, while higher numbers are suited for completing an already sharpened knife.
Note that stones with a grit below 600 are better for really dull knives; thus, you should use a 1000-grit stone to sharpen your knife first.
While sharpening a dull knife or one that has never been sharpened before, burrs are often created. Use a finishing stone to remove any leftover burrs from the blade. The grit of these stones may vary between 4,000 and 8,000.
Steps to Follow During Sharpening a Throwing Knife
Studying the Blade
When it comes to how to sharpen a throwing knife point, you should examine the blade carefully. Consider the edge and decide how much sharpening is required.
Ultimately, there is no actual need to over sharpen a blade. The fact is that oversharpening a blade will only diminish its durability.
Additionally, it would be best if you decided whether the edge is single or double-beveled since this will determine the appropriate sharpening process. Other factors include the material, such as stainless steel or carbon steel, and the knife’s intended use.
PRO TIP: The more you know about your blade, the more effectively you will be able to get the desired outcome throughout the sharpening procedure.
Soaking Your Sharpening Stones
What does “soaking” mean? It is the basic technique of soaking stones in the water to prevent scratching or chipping of the blade during sharpening.
Use a plastic tub big enough to accommodate your stones, and then add water to a depth of several inches. Now, carefully submerge the stones in water for 15 minutes minutes.
Mastering the Proper Grip
Next, decide how to hold the throwing knife throughout the sharpening procedure. A constant grip is essential to minimize the danger of harm.
The ideal method to hold a throwing knife is by positioning the thumb on the spine of the knife, the index finger on the heel of the knife, and three fingers wrapped around the handle.
Now, use your off-hand to provide appropriate pressure to the blade as you drag it over the whetstone’s surface.
Finding the Correct Angle Is Crucial
The angle of sharpening is possibly the most crucial component of the procedure. After all, the blade’s contact with the stone will be determined by the angle used.
Remember that achieving the ideal angle is sometimes one of the more difficult tasks for beginners. Therefore, it is essential to maintain attention and patience.
In addition, it is essential to understand that every angle will provide relatively different results. Place two fingers on the blade’s edge and rest the knife face down on the stone to determine the precise angle.
Now, using your other hand, carefully raise the blade until you can identify the shallowest angle possible while maintaining the edge flush to the stone. It requires practice.
Pennies are also used to determine the right angle. It may be particularly useful when sharpening a new knife for the first few times so as not to scratch the blade.
Sharpening Process
You are now prepared to sharpen the blade of your throwing knife. After mastering the correct blade angle, you may construct a new edge. The goal is to get familiar with the needed action and pattern for sharpening the blade.
This procedure has two fundamental components: the upstroke and the downstroke. The downstroke is performed by drawing the blade toward yourself, while the upstroke involves pushing the blade away from your body.
Remember that you must alter the location of your fingers with each stroke in order to create a good edge throughout the full length of the blade. Every stroke should be performed smoothly and at the correct angle.
But wait, there’s more: As you progress with your upstroke and downstrokes, be mindful of the distance between the tip and the stone to avoid harming yourself.
Maintaining Wet Sharpening Stones
Be mindful that the stone will start to dry as you sharpen the throwing knife. As sediment accumulates, add a few drops of water instead of washing it off.
Finishing the Blade
After the blade has been sharpened, you may use the finishing stone. Use a few gentle strokes at the same angle to remove unwanted burrs from the steel. It will not take as much work as your major stone.
After completing the sharpening process, clean your throwing knife and rinse and dry the sharpening stone completely.
Testing the Blade
Like it or not, slicing a piece of paper is an excellent method for determining the sharpness of your blade. Hold the paper with one hand as you slice it with the other.
How to Sharpen a Throwing Star
Avoid using a grinder on your ninja stars! After some usage, your throwing stars will ultimately get dull. With a little time and effort, you can restore them to their former condition or, depending on the star, make them even sharper.
Approximately 30 to 40 strokes at a 20 to 25-degree angle with a sharpening stone would suffice. The whetstone mentioned above is recommended for sharpening your throwing stars. There is a coarse stone for initial sharpening and a fine stone for finishing the job.
Can Any Knife Be a Throwing Knife?
Knife throwing is an activity that dates back centuries. Knife throwing may be performed with both hunting knives and specialized throwing knives. Nothing is more impressive than hearing a knife strike a target from yards away.
Is There a Trick to Knife Throwing?
Anyone can master the art of knife throwing. Follow the below instruction, and guarantee you will love the results.
To start the throw, determine the ideal distance from the target. As per Valentine’s article, the optimal distance for a single spin throw is between ten and eleven feet. Find your own “sweet spot” by modifying these estimates with your knife and form.
Now, grasp your knife by the handle. Throw your knife at your target with moderate vigor. This throw requires far more accuracy than the half-rotation throw, so concentrate on your posture and being calm.
IMPORTANT: Ensure you are using a softwood target and that the knife’s tip is sharp if the knife does not stick to the target.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Sharpen a Knife in One Direction?
When using a tiny, portable sharpener, move the blade in an almost straight line. The blade’s edge should point in the same direction as each stroke. Thus, the metal is effectively moved away from the edge. Always cut into the stone, and never drag or draw your edge backward.
What Type of Oil Is Used on a Sharpening Stone?
The best oil for sharpening is mineral oil since it is light, non-hardening, and does not grow rancid. Light oil is preferred since a thick oil will prevent the stone from honing.
Can a Knife Be Sharpened Using a Nail File?
Yes, the nail file is used to sharpen a knife! Sandpaper has the same impact as a nail file.
Drag the blade of the knife over the surface of the nail file. It will be sharper than before!
Should Throwing Knives Be Well-Balanced?
The center of gravity of the throwing knife must be in the middle of its length, plus or minus 1.5 cm. Such a well-balanced throwing knife will fly in nice circles into the target.
Is Cutting Oil the Same as Sharpening Oil?
Sharpening oil is a liquid or emulsion used to facilitate the grinding or cutting of metal, generally with abrasive tools and stones, and may or may not have oil. It is also known as tool oil or cutting oil.
How Long Do Throwing Knives Last?
High-quality throwing knives are forged from alloy steel that has been heat-treated and lasts a lifetime. To increase your chances of hitting the target, you should construct it with care. I propose that you construct it from softwood, such as pine, with the grain running vertically for easy sticking.
Final Take
When it comes to how to sharpen a throwing knife, finding the perfect sharpening angle is very important, and remember to practice more to master the art of sharpening. Once you have, your throwing skills will also improve greatly.
