Custom Throwing Knife Makers

[Anthony]

Can anyone point me toward a truly top drawer throwing knife maker?

I would strongly prefer someone who makes other types of knives in addition to throwing knifes.

Thanks for your input.

- Anthony

 

[Stinkyshoe]

I think Bobby Branton specializes in throwing knives.

 

[RobertHankins]

Just a FYI Making a throwing knife takes as much skill and steel as a Custom knife so expect to lay out some extra $$$. However a Custom maker can make a blade to your specs and design!

 

[JShirley]

Cold Steel makes several different throwers. Hibben does too, but I'm fairly sure the CS versions are higher quality!

I can't really comment practically on either, though. When I've practiced throwing knives, I've typically used whatever I carried as FB, anyway. (Warning: this is hard on knives. Some knives will NOT tolerate this well...especially kukris!)

 

[Stinkyshoe]

I agree with Robert. You will probably end up paying about the same for a throwing knife as you would for a high quality cutting tool. You might save some cash on a thrower because they typically don't have handles(although a think Jerry Busse has made some custom throwing blades for guys that hunt hogs, and I believe that they had handle scales). You may also save because a maker might prefer using s30v, ats34, 3V, d2 etc. for a cutting/chopping knife to have really exceptional performance. But since we are talking about a throwing knife here, I would lean toward using a tough spring steel like 5160. The knife is probably going to be hardened to 48-50Rc(or to a spring blue color) 5160 is a lot easier to forge(I wouldn't attempt forging of the steels I mentioned except for 5160, the others are air hardening steels and take very controlled temps to optimize performance) and grind than the other steels I mentioned. This means the 5160(or similar steel knife) will cost less because it will take fewer belts. Also 5160 can be heat treated by the maker in house with a coal forge, torch, gas forge, salt pot,etc and save time and money shipping to the heat treater. Hope this helps...
Ss