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The Great Throwzini
Newsletter: Issue #62

by Scott Gracia
sgracia@wi.rr.com
http://www.throwzini.com

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IN THIS ISSUE

1. What's New
2. My Half Spin Technique - Where It All Began
Part 5 of 5 - by Roy Hutchison
3. Recreational Knife Throwing Video by John Bailey
4. Drywall Hammer, Or Another Great Thrower? - by Chuck Fogarty
5. Advertising Opportunities
6. Contact Info/Reprint Guidelines
7. Subscribe/Unsubscribe
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1. WHAT'S NEW

Hello Everybody!

It's starting to get cold here in Wisconsin again. Soon the winds will be whipping and I won't even be able to see my targets from all the snow. It happens every year so you think I'd be used to it by now... but no such luck :)

I've thrown with fluffy mittens on before but the knives seem just a tad bit too slippery to get any sort of consistency going :) So soon I'll be heading inside and digging out all of my "indoor throwers". These are pretty much just like my "outdoor throwers", just a lot smaller in size.

Indoor throwers are nice because they are smaller and lighter than the regular knives I throw, so they do a lot less damage to your targets. Another great thing about them is that you can throw them into layers of cardboard and not have to worry about them tearing right through them like regular sized knives would do.

The bad thing about throwing small knives is that they can bounce or ricochet off the target quite a bit faster than bigger knives. So pay attention and be safe!

ADDITION TO OUTDOOR TARGETS PAGE:
I recently got a message from a thrower in Massachusetts. She wanted to share a few pics of her "evolving" target range. She had a few different ideas and improved upon each one until she ended up with a great setup.

I just love the look of freshly painted targets! To check out some great pictures of them just follow this link:

http://www.throwzini.com/outdoortargets.html

AOL USERS LINK

And click on the link that says IMPROVING YOUR TARGET.

RESULTS FROM THE AKTA NATIONALS
Congrats to Bill Cantey, Joe Darrah, Jeff Koch (the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place overall finishers) and everyone else who attended the 2002 AKTA NATIONALS in Awendaw, SC! Also, thanks to Bobby Branton - President of the AKTA - for hosting another fine event.

Well that's all for now. Have a safe few weeks.

NOW GO THROW SOME KNIVES!!! ;-)

Scott Gracia
sgracia@wi.rr.com
101 FREE KNIFE THROWING TIPS
http://www.throwzini.com

LOCAL THROWERS
If you are looking for local people to learn from or just hang out with and throw sharp pieces of metal, then this is the place for you. Ya never know, there could be another thrower that lives right in your neighborhood!

Currently there are 113 throwers listed in 34 states, and 17 different countries! And more people are signing up every week. Soon you'll be able to throw with someone no matter where you go!

Going on vacation? Check the LOCAL THROWERS page first to see if there are any people listed near your destination. Its easy to bring your knives just about anywhere you go, and you won't have to haul your targets from home. So c'mon and send in your info!

Follow this link for more details or to see if there are any throwers that live in your neighborhood:

http://www.throwzini.com/local_throwers.html

AOL USERS LINK

OTHER UPDATES
When you visit the site you'll notice a new QUICK IDEA and lots of interesting posts in our THROWZINI FORUM!

The forum is also a great place to ask questions about ANYTHING that has to do with the sport of throwing. You can learn tons of useful knife and axe throwing tips, or learn about upcoming events or how to make a target, just by visiting our homepage and clicking on the THROWZINI FORUM link.

http://www.throwzini.com

AOL USERS LINK

Thanks again to everyone that submitted their info/pics!!!

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2. GUEST COLUMN:

MY 1/2 SPIN TECHNIQUE - WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
by Roy Hutchison

Part 5 of 5

Throws over 15 feet are much more difficult but if and when you can do the 4 to 15 feet and all in between, then you can try the long ones. If you can't do the 15 foot half spin easily, then you will certainly not be able to do the longer throws.

Long throws are once again the magnified version of the 15 foot throw increasing as the throw gets longer. If I say 20 feet as a maximum, and the thrower gets to be able to reach this distance, then they would have long discovered how to go on under his own skill.

For these 20 foot 1/2 spin throws you need to learn an arm movement that takes the knife in as "straight a line as possible" from above your head to the point of release. And keep the handle pointed toward the target as much as possible even when it is raised above your head.

Use power in the throw, add pressure to the top of the blade with your forefinger, push down on the blade as it leaves the hand and follow through after the knife release.

If you do curl your fingers slightly around the blade try and keep it as slight as possible, otherwise it affects the forefinger pressure. Try and push/throw the knife. And stretch out the throw, just like leaning on a chest-high shop counter and trying to get something that is just out of reach.

And of course, as in the shorter distances, 15 to 20 feet is only a matter of varying the hold, power, and throw to suit the distance.

I can't speak from experience as to the possibility of getting accurate in the longer throws, I just think it may be very difficult. I also think that this type of long throwing is better as a "party piece". But I would like to see a thrower get accurate just to see that its possible.

I would say for those who like contests, and are keen to learn the half spin, it would be nice to run this method alongside the conventional way, for a bit of fun or whatever.

As for knives, I would say that the 13.5" Dragon Knives I've seen on Scott's site look to be more than suitable for this type of throwing:

http://www.throwzini.com/13_5dragdesc.html

AOL USERS LINK

If anything I advise to get a design that you feel comfortable with.

Sizewise, my preference is about 14 inches long and 14 ounces in weight. I like them to balance in the centre, with one edge flat that will rest on your finger. But, once again, this is only my preference.

As for myself I have not done much throwing for quite a few years. I have kept my hand in at my factory a couple of times a month, but I am a bit rusty.

Since discovering The Great Throwzini Web Site I have started practicing in earnest. My knives are flying again around the tool room, and I am making up for lost time. Also the children have long since flown the nest so now home will be a place to practice!

I hope these few words will be of help to all those interested in throwing half spins, but remember everyone has to start somewhere. So at least this will give you some idea and eventually you will develop your own technique.

Keep 'em thudding away!!!

Article Contributed by:

Roy Hutchison
London, England

Alright, you finally get to see some pictures of all the things Roy has been sharing! Just follow this link to see some of the grips you've been reading about:

http://www.throwzini.com/half-spin-technique.html

AOL USERS LINK



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3. RECREATIONAL KNIFE THROWING VIDEO

If you want to learn the insider SECRETS, TIPS and TRICKS that the masters use to hit their mark every time, then John Bailey's Recreational Knife Throwing Video is for you.

Here is a taste of what you'll get:

- 9 inexpensive target designs
- 11 demonstrations
- How to eliminate the most common throwing error
- Master grips, stances and throws

and so much more!

For a limited time, you can have the ultimate knife throwing video for only $19.95. By acting now, you'll save 33% off the regular price of $29.95

For a full description and ordering details, follow this link:

http://www.throwzini.com/tgt_video.html

AOL USERS LINK

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4. DRYWALL HAMMER, OR ANOTHER GREAT THROWER?
by Chuck Fogarty
I have a great target at my sons house made up of 6 Eucalyptus rounds that keeps me very busy. Last night after supper I saw an unusual 'hawk sticking in the target. I went out to check and it was a drywall hammer.

A drywall hammer has a large face for pounding in the nails and the other side has a small, not too sharp, "hatchet" for utility work.

I asked My son Mark about it and he reminded me that about 20 years ago he spent 2 years as a drywall hanger. He said, "We practically lived with these hammers. Quite often we would throw them at 2 by 4's during our lunch hour.

He then stuck the hammer in his pants, pulled it out, spun it like a sixgun and flipped it back in his pants. He drew the hammer again, launched it straight up in the air, caught it by the handle and threw a perfect 1 turn into the target!

Mark will not throw with me but every now and then I get a clue that he's done a bit of throwing in the past.

I threw the hammer with my hawks for awhile, it throws a very nice 1 turn from about 12 feet. I don't know how sturdy it is but most hawks and hammers are very well made. Maybe drywall hangers could be a new source of throwers for us?

Bless the Internet and sites like "The Throwers List, The Sticking Point and The Great Throwzini Web site." Throwing has become an important part of my life and thru the above sites I am in touch with throwers from all over the world.

Article Contributed By:

Chuck Fogarty - The Traveling Knife Throwing Reporter thechuckster@webtv.net

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ADVERTISE WITH US
Run an ad in this newsletter and expose your business to over 11,714+ potential customers! Send an e-mail to sgracia@wi.rr.com with "NEWSLETTER AD" in the Subject line, for more details.

You'll also receive a FREE REPORT, 12 Sure-Fire Ways to Get Maximum Response to Your Ads.

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If you have any questions about throwing that you would like answered in one of our upcoming issues, or if you have an article or story about throwing that you would like to share, simply send an e-mail to:

sgracia@wi.rr.com

with QUESTION FOR NEWSLETTER in the Subject Line, and your name and question in the body.

============================================
(Copyright 2002, Scott Gracia,
The Great Throwzini.)
Reprint permission granted in part or whole when the following credit appears in full:

Reprinted with permission from Scott Gracia's
The Great Throwzini Newsletter.
Get your 101 FREE KNIFE THROWING TIPS and Newsletter, filled with throwing tips and ideas to help you learn about this fun target sport, at The Great Throwzini web site:
http://www.throwzini.com

=============================================
Scott Gracia,
The Great Throwzini,
3765 S Ahmedi Ave.
St. Francis, WI 53235-4151
Phone 414-744-8689,
E mail: sgracia@wi.rr.com
http://www.throwzini.com

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Recreational Knife Throwing Video Part I.

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HOME THE GREAT THROWZINI FREE NEWSLETTER THROWING HAWKS TARGETS
LOCAL THROWERS INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO THROWING SPIKES CLUBS/EVENTS SAFETY
THROWING MISC. THROWING ARTICLES THROWZINI STORE THROWING KNIVES PAST NEWSLETTERS