Philippe Catania: My throwing history and knives

See also my winter indoor knife throwing target

Philippe Catania and some of his throwing knives. I think I've been born to knife throwing like many of us looking at movies and being impressed by the thrower.

When I was young from time to time I tried to stick my poor small pocket knife, but nothing serious. Last year I stepped over and bought, in one of the two gunsmith shops in the little main town, the two lonely dusty throwing knives that I saw there. They were expensive but I was happy buying the first real throwing knives of my life (see photo below, number #1).
I spent a few month throwing them.

At this time I did not know that there exist other kinds of throwing knives: of other form, length, weight and so on. And I was rather happy to throw them. I was not aware that they were too small (20cm) and too light (160g).

At about the same time I got a computer and a web connection and had the idea to look for throwing knives or (external link / new window)wurfmesser (German word for it). Bingo!

What a world!

Of course now I wanted to try something different than my first knives. At Böker, I ordered ten knives " genuine flying dart" manufactured by Linder (#2). Not very expensive. I became used to them for short range. I threw them for a few month. Once again I felt like trying other kinds of knives and I ordered (again at Böker) five Linder knives "extra schwer model" (German: extra heavy, #3). But I was very disappointed. These knives didn't suit my own style. I was rarely able to throw them properly, because they are made to be thrown by blade and handle, and I don`t like that. I don't know why. I was disappointed because I spent money for nothing and I do not throw them any more.

So I ordered a model that I find very beautiful, even though it does rust: it looks like the "viper" (#4). With it I was rather happy from 3,60m. After a moment I knew that I had to try something longer. I was fed up to spent money without being entirely satisfied. I decided to built five spikes using "a piece of full d'inox de 10 mm". I cut 5 pieces of 40cm, and made the handle out of this sort of plastic the butchers used to cut the meat on (#5). Very easy to built and absolutely cheap and very good sensations.

After a while I decided to buy an "expensive" knife and I opted for the Böker night dragon (30cm, 270g, #6). Bingo! At least a knife I feel totally good with. It demands me not too much power, and often goes straight on in the target. I feel very good at one and half turn and two and a half. I know now what will be in my shoes next Christmas.

My story gave me an idea. Why not doing something like a throwing knife exchange?
Say, Mister X has five or six different knives. And among these knives there is one I would like to try. And in my own collection there is one that he would like to try. I send him this one, he sends me his, to keep for instance for two or three weeks. That way, we could try several kinds without the risk of buying a knife that we don't like at all. It's just an idea, but contact me if you are interested!

Philippe Catania, Corsica, France

The throwing knife collection of Philippe Catania.
Select your throwing knife


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