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The Great Throwzini
Newsletter: Issue #87

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

Number of Subscribers: 12,562+ Please help us grow by forwarding our newsletter to your family members and friends. =======================================
A Few Words from Our Sponsor. . .

13" X 13oz. Pierce-Arrow and 9" X 9oz. Vanishing Point Throwing Knives available at Crescent Knife Works. http://www.knivesonnet.com AOL USERS LINK
Set of 3 PA throwers $160.00 + shipping.
Set of 5 PA throwers $250.00 + shipping.
Set of 3 V.P. throwers $135.00 + shipping.
Set of 5 V.P. throwers $200.00 + shipping.
email bob@knivesonnet.com
Phone 604 538-6214 Fax 604 888-2683
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IN THIS ISSUE

1. What's New
2. Walking With Legends - Part 2 of 2 - by Joe Darrah
3. Recreational Knife Throwing Video - by John Bailey
4. Advertising Opportunities
5. Contact Info/Reprint Guidelines
6. Subscribe and Unsubscribe Information
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1. WHAT'S NEW

Hey Throwers!

Hope everyone is doing great and still throwing as much as possible! For us throwers in the "frozen tundra", there won't be many more chances to throw outdoors before the knives are too cold to hold on to.

I was outside today throwing for a while and it was great! (Did I mention I had a fire burning about 3 feet away from me? :-)

Last weekend it felt quite a bit cooler than it did today... lucky for me I was throwing at an "indoor range" in Pennsylvania! My friend Dave and I were invited to throw knives with some friends and we also got to film him working his magic with his butterfly knives! (You may think you know tricks, but THIS guy knows tricks! UNBELIEVABLE STUFF!)

The throwing/filming took place at Gary Draper's house in Pittsburgh, PA. Gary was cool enough to offer his video services and throwing range for us to use for the weekend! And he even let us all crash at his house!

We got to meet some of Gary's friends who were also great people and we "shared" a few meals with his dog Coco... a very sweet Chocolate Doberman :-)

If you'd like to see a few pictures from the weekend just click on the following:

http://www.throwzini.com/gbdraper_2003.html

AOL USERS LINK

UPCOMING EVENT
THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE - KNIFE AND HAWK COMPETITION
Its the 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Knife & Tomahawk Challenge in Fredericksburg, TX and its going to take place November 29-30th.

There will be paid Pro Level events for both men and women. Entry Fee is $25 for Knife and $25 for the Hawk event. Prizes will also be awarded in Amateur Events. Amateur Men and Women Division - $20 per event. Junior Division - (Under 14) - $10 per event to enter.

Any questions please contact Roy Neal at (830)257-2942 or email him at: theneals@maverickbbs.com.

You can also visit their web site at:

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

AOL USERS LINK

When you have that page open just click the second link titled "3rd Annual Thanksgiving Knife & Tomahawk Challenge".

WKTG GIVEAWAY REMINDER
Just a reminder, the fifth free prize "drawing" for W.K.T.G. members will be held on November 27, 2003. This time it will be for a "Mini Bokri" throwing knife and the new Beil-Ax that was designed by John Bailey and is in "preproduction" right now at the Boker knife company.

The description, pictures of the Mini Bokri and Beil-Axe, and membership forms can be found here:

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

AOL USERS LINK

The winner will be announced in our next newsletter (November 30th) so if you're not already a member, you better kick it in gear!

That's all for now! Have a great two weeks and try to throw as many things as possible... knives, spikes, fits... anything at all :-)

Take care and we'll see ya soon!

Scott Gracia
101 FREE KNIFE THROWING TIPS
http://www.throwzini.com

AOL USERS LINK

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 down the street!

Currently there are 168 throwers listed in 40 states, and 19 different countries! And more people are signing up every week! Soon you'll be able to throw with someone no matter where you go!

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

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

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2. GUEST COLUMN:

WALKING WITH LEGENDS - PART 2
by Joe Darrah

Continued from Issue #86

There was electricity in the air as the banquet hall and plaques were all being arranged for the upcoming induction ceremony for the first International Knife Throwers Hall Of Fame.

After heading back and jumping into our tuxedo's we proceeded to find our tables and get ready for the plaques to be handed out. The Mountain Men, true to form, showed up in a combination of buckskins and Sunday go to meeting shirts, accompanied by the ever present medicine pouch hung about their necks.

I was seated with Master Gil Hibben and Mr. Pat Minter (also known as the Hawk Man or The Machine) and their lovely wives. As I looked around the room I felt very honored to be included amongst some of the other people in attendance who have done far more than I have done for the sport and art of throwing!

It was time to start the awards ceremony and Chuck (Walking Eagle) Weems said a few prayers followed by one of the best renditions of The Star Spangled Banner, sung by Mr. Bob (Master Of The Blade) Karp, that I've ever heard. We then said the Pledge Of Allegiance to the flag which was flying high in the big studio room of South Austin Karate.

Mike Bainton had asked Rick Lemberg to take over the duties of emceeing the event. Rick graciously accepted the task and began with some words of introduction and his personal feelings on this historic event (which in themselves were very inspiring!)

Rick started by introducing the first nominee who happened to be Dan Dennehy of Del Norte, Colorado, one of the original founding members of the Knife Makers Guild. There was a standing ovation as Dan came to the front of the room and accepted his induction plaque to the IKTHOF for International Knife Maker of the Year.

Dan went to say a few words and tears came to his eyes as he thanked everyone and said it was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for him. He then proceeded to let everyone there know he had been known to cry just from reading a beer can label :-)

I could tell an anecdote about all of the fine people who were inducted but that would turn this into a mini series and I'm sure neither the readers or Scott want that, but I will also mention that Mr. Bob Karp got up to accept his plaque for Golden Life Achievement and was so choked up he could only say "thank you", and that he was "speechless". And anyone who knows Bob knows that that doesn't happen often.

Bob was giving throwing tips and lessons from the time he arrived until he left and had good words for everyone! This was my fist meeting with the "Master of the Blade" even though we had spoken many times on the phone. I must say, I was impressed with him as an individual and a world renowned thrower. He is what I would call a thrower's thrower and a true gentleman!

The ceremony continued and one after another several of the living legends who I had heard of came up to accept their induction plaques.

David Adamovich, John Bailey, Mike Kolisch, Scott Gracia, and Gil Hibben, who is probably responsible for putting more throwers in peoples hands then all of the other people present, received awards for their dedication.

Other people who were inducted were Rick Lemberg, Pat (Hawkman) Minter, Roy Neal, Chuck Weems, Jim (Grey Dog) Tanner and Larry Czekaj.

Along with these great throwers and emissaries of the sport were several others who, by their deeds or actions, also warranted induction into the Hall of Fame. People like Harry McEvoy, known as the Father of Recreational Knife Throwing, an author and co-author of several books, as well as being founder of the AKTA (American Knife Throwers Alliance). Harry was inducted as well as his friend and Martial Arts expert, Charles V. Gruzanski, who is also the author of many articles on knife throwing and the co-founder of the Tru-Flyte Knife Throwers of America. Mr. Gruzanski was the publisher of a bi-monthly newsletter titled The Knife Thrower, and he also collaborated on the book Knife Throwing as a Modern Sport, with Harry McEvoy.

Mr. Gruzanski was probably better known for his work in the field of Martial Arts but had studied Shuriken and Knife throwing while stationed in Japan, he and Harry became great friends and throwing companions, unfortunately both of these great men and throwers were nominated posthumously. A great loss to the throwing community!

Following are some of the other great throwers who were nominated but could not be in attendance:

Sylvester Braun, who with his lovely wife Barbara, were known as the Wizards of the West. They did a wild west roping and impalement act from the 1940's until quite recently. Sylvester is still a regular at the WWAC conventions in Las Vegas at almost 90 years young!

Kenneth (Che Che Whitecloud) Pierce, who's family has been performing for 199 years now and is one of the fastest knife throwers ever to have lived, could not be there and he was sorely missed!

Doug (Chief Thundercloud) Waldorf was inducted for International Achievement Award and was slated to be there but could not attend. Also unable to attend due to scheduling differences was Lee Fugatt who was inducted for the 2003 Knifemaker of the Year. Lee is undoubtedly one of the beat throwers around as well as a consummate knifemaker, spear thrower and all around Knife Guru.

And last but certainly not least Burl (The Underhand Man) Carl was inducted for Special Recognition. This guy is an amazing thrower when throwing overhand but is in a class all by himself when throwing his monster target splitters that mask themselves as Bowie knives. He is also the crafter and maker of these incredible knives and I am fortunate enough to have 2 in my collection!

All in all it was beyond anything I could have wished for as I was also inducted for the Silver Life Achievement Award. I have been throwing for close to 40 years now and have worked as an impalement artist with the circus and also had a bullwhip routine. But in the last 2 years that I have been competing in tournaments, I have met some of the most wonderful people in my life and many of them were in Austin.

I urge you to make the trip down in the coming years, it is something that you don't want to miss. Dr. Mike Bainton and his group are first class all the way! As are the students and all of those who pulled this historic event off, Master Snowden, Audrey West and instructor Mike Mohr to name but a few!

The rest of you know who you are and thank you for all you've done and all you will achieve in the future!

Article contributed by:

Joe Darrah (aka Brokenfeather)
Valley Forge, PA
brknfthr@aol.com

To see some pictures from the Hall of Fame Banquet and induction ceremony, just follow this link

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

AOL USERS LINK

Once you're there click on the first link titled "2003 International Knife Throwers Hall of Fame Banquet".

The page may take a while to load though because there are a lot of great photos to see. Have a little patience and I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

=============================================

3. FUNDAMENTALS OF KNIFE, HAWK & AXE THROWING WITH AN INTRODUCTION TO THE IMPALEMENT ARTS VIDEO

The first video that teaches you EVERYTHING you need to know to get in on the fun of throwing. Learn the techniques that the pros use, all the rules and regulations for competition throwing, and also get a look at some of the The Great Throwdini's Professional Impalement Act!

Here is just a taste of what you'll get:

- Grips, stance, release and the correct way to follow through
- Target and backboard construction
- Crystal clear slow motion and frame by frame analysis
- 13 different ways to throw an axe
- A handy 4 page pocket guide that covers current throwing records, rules and regulations for existing events
- 15 different impalement stunts
- A knife that fires a .32 caliber blank

and so much more!

For a limited time, you can have the ultimate knife throwing video for only $24.95. By acting now, you'll save nearly 30% off the regular price of $34.95

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

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

VIDEO LINK

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4. ADVERTISE WITH US
Run an ad in this newsletter and expose your business to over 12,562+ 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.

=============================================
A FEW WORDS FROM OUR SPONSORS

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The Thrower List:
A list about throwing weapons, for sport, survival, and self defense. We talk a lot about throwing knives but any sort of thrown weapon including axes and hatchets, spears, atlatl, boomerangs, bola, sticks, steel balls, and casting weapons like whips are also discussed. The list also covers events, promoters, calendars, competitions, etc. of interest to throwing enthusiasts.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thrower/

AOL USERS LINK
----------------------------------------------------------------------
** The above advertising claims and offers are the sole responsibility of the individual sponsors listed. Please contact them for more information about their offers.**

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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 2003, 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
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