"African throwing knives constitute a unique category of weapons found nowhere else in the world. They were weapons of war and implements of the hunt. The end of the functional use of the throwing knife was during the last two decennia of the 19th and the first decade of the 20th century. However, the end of traditional warfare did not mean that the throwing knife disappeared. Its persistence may be attributed to its potential to take on the role of ceremonial and ritual weapon and other completely new roles"--

"Knife & Tomahawk Throwing helps keep alive these traditional arts of the old West. In these pages, you will learn about the fundamentals of the sport and gain insight into some of the greatest professional knife throwers-the men who paved the way for the modern day thrower." -- Bobby Branton, President of the American Knife Thrower's Alliance (AKTA) Harry McEvoy, the foremost expert in the field of tomahawk and knife throwing and best-selling author of Knife Throwing: A Practical Guide, provides us with an exciting, in-depth look at the popular sport of weapon throwing. Meet the men who throw flaming knives at lovely ladies on a spinning target--and not scorch a hair; learn about the legendary "Skeeter" Vaughan, whose record-breaking throw saved the lives of hundreds of U.S. servicemen during World War II; and witness the courage of Tony Cascarella, who brought down a 275-pound wild boar with only three Bowie-Axe throwing knives. In addition, this book will clearly show you the skills involved in knife and tomahawk throwing--skills all the professionals first mastered before attempting the daring feats required when performing the "impalement arts." Also presented is an interesting history of throwing-knives, from the earliest times, through the development of the European daggers, and up to the knives used during the Vietnam War. Furthermore, you'll learn about many of the other throwing weapons of the world, including the martial arts weapons used by the Japanese ninja, and the deadly boomerangs of the Australian aborigines. Concisely written and illustrated with more than 50 photographs--including many of the "greats" in action--Knife and Tomahawk Throwing is a must for anyone interested in these fascinating sports. Chapters include: The Fine Points of Knife Throwing How to Build Targets Evolution of the Throwing Knife The Art of the Professionals The Saga of Skeeter Vaughn Tomahawk Throwing The Hunt of the "Hog Heaven" Boar The Other Throwing Instruments

Reference book on traditional African blades illustrated with some of the finest examples known

"Knife Throwing is the most authoritative guide on every aspect of the sport. From knives and knife throwing techniques to competition and advice, as well as profiles of pioneers and legends in the field, this book covers it all." --Bobby Branton, President of American Knife Thrower's Alliance (AKTA) Not only is knife throwing fun, but it is also a great sport, entertainment, recreation and exercise. It can be a wonderful hobby, pastime, or even a profession, and the fundamentals are easy to learn. Anyone who can throw a stick, stone, or baseball can also learn how to throw a knife with skill and accuracy. All you need is a good knife-designed for the purpose, whether made to throw by the handle or blade, a target, and a small portion of the backyard for the throwing range. Few sports can provide so much recreation at so little cost. Knife throwing is a sport in which individual skills can be developed to a very high degree. Expert knife throwing, like great proficiency in any other sport, is developed by natural aptitude and instinct combined with that one magic ingredient: practice! In Knife Throwing by American Knife Thrower's Alliance founder, Harry McEvoy, demonstrates how to throw a knife successfully in chapters such as: It's Fun to Throw a Knife Choice of Weapons How to Throw a Knife How to Develop "Pin-Point" Accuracy How to Select a Throwing Knife Targets: How and Where Tomahawks and Bowies Safety Measures, Rules, and Care of Knives The Professionals Hunting: A New Twist to an Old Sport Tales, Legends and People

Using eyewitness accounts of travelers and missionaries to Africa, the oral history of Africans, and the visual evidence of the weapons themselves, Spring builds a comprehensive cultural and ethnographic survey of traditional arms and armor from several centuries ago to the present.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to throw knives or tomahawks, look no further than The Ultimate Guide to Knife Throwing. This comprehensive guide is perfect for everyone from novices who have never picked up a knife to seasoned knife and tomahawk throwers looking to compete in their first tournament. Bobby Branton has been a foremost expert in the field of knife throwing and handcrafting custom throwing knives for over thirty years and shares his expertise here with easy step-by-step directions. Branton shows readers two methods of throwing knives that are most popular with knife throwers today. He will also share his extensive knife-making experience by showing readers how to make a quality throwing knife on a budget. In addition to improving technical skills, this guide will also give readers a brief history of the sport—covering everyone from the pioneers of the sport to today’s modern impalement artists. This book will give you the tools needed to learn everything from the basics of knife and tomahawk throwing to how to start your own knife and tomahawk throwing club. Readers will learn how to construct targets, learn the basic stance, basic knife and tomahawk grips, and the mechanics of throwing knives and tomahawks. Branton’s guide gives an in-depth look at this fast-growing sport, with a strong emphasis placed on safety. The Ultimate Guide to Knife Throwing is a must for anyone interested in the sport of knife throwing. Skyhorse Publishing is proud to publish a broad range of books for hunters and firearms enthusiasts. We publish books about shotguns, rifles, handguns, target shooting, gun collecting, self-defense, archery, ammunition, knives, gunsmithing, gun repair, and wilderness survival. We publish books on deer hunting, big game hunting, small game hunting, wing shooting, turkey hunting, deer stands, duck blinds, bowhunting, wing shooting, hunting dogs, and more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

While a member of the U.S. Air Force in Morocco in 1954-55, I was assigned to attend French language classes. While in class, I met Marcel, he was also ordered to attend classes in the French Language. Marcel was a U.S. citizen who was in the French Foreign Legion at the time. He also said he was told by his Officers that he had one year to learn the French Language or he may not be allowed to remain in the Foreign Legion. It was discovered Marcel was an expert at knife throwing, one of my life long desires. He agreed to teach me all the knowledge required to throw knives. After a few days we started our knife throwing training. I was told by him that it would take approximately three months to learn the art of knife throwing. We first built a wooden target, three ft. by three ft. and placed on posts buried in the ground at approximately six foot high. The knives are to be thrown at the target from fifteen to eighteen ft. away. The knives are constructed from one piece of flexible stainless steel. They are approximately eleven inches long,. Whenever the occasion allowed, Marcel and I traveled to places in Morocco to observe the sights. Roman ruins, women's prison, locus swarm, dust storms. If it was there, we wanted to see it. I felt compelled to describe our trips in my knife throwing manual. The knife throwing manual covers how to throw knives in a very well outlined method. It repeats it's self several times to make sure the student fully understands exactly what is required by him to be a successful knife thrower. The manual covers how a throwing knife is constructed and why. It covers how to hold the throwing knife and how to release it. How to take steps when throwing and using your arms to obtain your goal. And making the knife stick where you wish. This manual is aimed at the training of the novice knife thrower. Those who use it should reach a satisfying level in knife throwing. I am thankful for your purchase of this manual and hope to see you all throw someday.

Choose your own learning adventure with Curiositree, a new series of visually compelling information charts. Discover the myriad reasons why humans have become the most successful species on the planet in this fascinating complete visual history of mankind. Travel from our earliest beginnings to the modern day, and discover how our evolution is interconnected by following the arrows that link to charts on related topics throughout the book. Exploring the development of farming, the origins of writing, religion, trade, weapons and armour, the first cities, and the growth of technology in the modern age, this visual compendium of wonders from the mind of man is full of fascinating information for curious young readers.