 |
|
|
|
|
by Scott Gracia sgracia@wi.rr.com http://www.throwzini.com ======================================= This newsletter is a FREE service you requested. You are on this list because: * You subscribed at our Great Throwzini web site * You inquired about our products or promotions * You requested our free knife throwing tips or other information. If you'd like to be removed from this list, simply reply to this message with 'remove' in the subject. ======================================= IN THIS ISSUE 1. What's New 2. A Few Words About Axes and Tomahawks by Lee Fugatt 3. Recreational Knife Throwing Video 4. Homemade Throwing Spikes by Joe Aimetti 5. Contact Info/Reprint Guidelines ======================================= 1. WHAT'S NEW Hello everybody, Whew! It was a hot one today! I got to throw outside for the first time in a while. It's been raining and too muddy lately. My old neighbors stopped by today, Brian and Missy. We threw knives for about an hour before we decided it was too hot and muggy to be out there. It had been about a year and a half since either of them had thrown any knives... so it took a few minutes to get the hang of it back. But sure enough, by the end of our session, we were playing a game of "High Score" and I was losing :) As usual it was a great time! Whenever any of my friends come over to throw it is an awesome time, no matter who wins! (who am I trying to kid? Its always just a little bit better of a time when I win!) Anyway, thanks to everyone for listening and I hope all your knives, spikes, and axes STICK!!! OTHER UPDATES When you visit the site you'll also notice a brand new QUICK IDEA and lots of great new posts on our Throwzini Discussion Forum! Be sure to check them out! http://www.throwzini.com Thanks again to everyone that submitted their info/pics!!! ======================================== 2. GUEST COLUMN: A FEW WORDS ABOUT AXES & TOMAHAWKS by Lee Fugatt The Hibben Pro Thrower "thingie" is fun to throw, (once you get used to the fact that it was designed for looks and not function), and thus lower your expectations to the, "Its-sharp-so-it'll-stick-if-you-throw-hard-enough" level. I have seen axes and hatchets made of bronze in museums that look like Bobbie Branton's. Throwing tomahawks are a "form follows function" design, so shapes will continue to re-occur. Bobbie's are, BTW as good as you'll get for the price and are much better than the Dennehey model that I've seen. You don't have to reshape the eye socket or tie up the haft to keep them from bouncing out after every throw. Aside from that, the shape, weight and balance has been reproduced for 2,000 years. WHAT TO LOOK FOR What you want is a tomahawk or hatchet with a pronounced "Beard". That is the point created by the upward curvature of the head shape as it ends at the edge. This point should be slightly higher than the end of the haft, or handle, in the socket for easiest throwing. Although that isn't absolutely necessary for a good thrower, (the person throwing eh?). The edge itself should have a nice curve to it for cutting efficiency. The haft or handle should be made out of a good Hickory or Ash wood and not too narrow at the gripped end. It should be from 15 to 20 inches long, although this isn't really as important as some folks might think. A lighter head is easier to throw but a heavier head is easier to learn on. If you don't understand this then go get one of each and practice. Remember one thing about a tomahawk or a knife... The ones you have are the best ones for you to practice with. Lee Fugatt tonkasila@aol.com http://hometown.aol.com/tonkasila/life1/index.htm ============================================= 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 ============================================= 4. HOMEMADE THROWING SPIKES by Joe Aimetti Here are the instructions I used for making my throwing spikes... You start with large nails, (or "spikes" as the hardware industry calls them when they reach the size useful for throwing). I picked up some 8" galvanized ones. There were ones 12" long but I figured I would start small. First I took a hacksaw and cut the "heads" off the spikes. At this point, I held the already pointed end of the spike to my Delta 6" wheel grinder in such a way as to get a nice taper with a good point on it. I kept rotating the nail while LIGHTLY grinding off metal and shaping the point. A bit of artistic creativity is helpful here. You don't want too sudden of a taper or it won't penetrate well, while at the same time, a sharp, needle-like taper can dull and bend more easily. At this stage, you could throw the spike with no further work and it would stick just fine. I decided that I did not like the rough finish that the dipped galvanized coating gave, so I went to my 1" Delta Belt Sander... Holding the spike horizontal to the belt, I again rotated the spike while lightly making contact with the sanding belt. I worked the spike back and forth until I had sanded off all of the galvanized coating and had a nice smooth steel surface. I also touched up the back of the spike where I cut the head off in the beginning and rounded it off, first on the grinder and then on the belt sander. Depending on the grit of the sandpaper belt, you can finish the surface of the spike off even smoother with finer grit sandpaper, or leave it dull for a better grip. I experimented with one spike by polishing the galvanized coating off and then, using gun bluing compound, blued it. It looked really wicked, but the smooth coating made it tricky to grip and release properly. So I ground in some ridges on it and now it is fine! Article Contributed by: Joe Aimetti jca455@mindspring.com To see some of Joe's spikes just click on the THROWERS link, then THROWING SPIKES, and finally HOMEMADE SPIKES. http://www.throwzini.com ============================================= If you have any questions about throwing that you would like answered in one of our upcoming issues, 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 2000, 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 FREE 101 KNIFE THROWING TIPS and Newsletter, filled with lots of great throwing tips and ideas to help you with your throwing game, at The Great Throwzini web site. http://www.throwzini.com ============================================= Scott Gracia, The Great Throwzini, 5321 4 Mile Rd. Racine, WI 53402-9791 Phone 262-681-7942, E mail: sgracia@wi.rr.com http://www.throwzini.com It's free, and there's no obligation. |
Want to improve your accuracy?CLICK HERE "...the ability of David to throw different turns at different distances was outstanding and the impalement acts were 1st rate..." Chuck Fogarty Countryside, IL FREE STUFF CLICK HERE for FREE 101 Knife Throwing Tips Info-Pak Want hundreds of great knife throwing tips, ideas, articles and interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport of knife throwing? Get our FREE, twice-a-month Great Throwzini Online Newsletter. Just click below and send. CLICK HERE for FREE Online Newsletter or send e-mail to: sgracia@wi.rr.com with SUBSCRIBE in the Subject Line. I respect your privacy and will never share or sell your e-mail address to anyone. |