From ancient warriors to modern-day survivalists, there has been a long-standing debate over which is the superior weapon – throwing spikes or throwing knives.
Throwing weaponry was an integral weapon type in many ancient civilizations’ armories. Sharpened pieces of metal and stone were hurled toward adversaries to create fear, inflict damage, or even kill enemies from afar.
While the two tools share several similarities – both are designed for throwing at an opponent; they differ significantly in their uses and effectiveness as weapons on a battlefield or during combat situations.
Throwing spikes and throwing knives were two popular projectile weapons used in ancient times, and the long-standing debate of which is superior still remains. In terms of structure, both tools are designed to be thrown toward an intended target. However, they differ significantly when it comes to their effectiveness on the battlefield or during combat situations.
In this article, you’ll learn which is best for you. Let’s dig in.
What Are Throwing Spikes?


Throwing spikes, or Bo Shuriken, are a unique type of throwing weapon believed to have originated in ancient Japan.
Generally made from sharpened pieces of metal that could be fashioned into pointed shapes such as arrows and wheels, this historical projectile was designed for both a stealthy technique and military combat operations
Like other ninja tools such as shuriken throwing stars, bo-shurikens were designed to be either thrown underarm, overhead or at an angle for a more controllable flight path and improved accuracy.
A practitioner with a good understanding of the weapon’s properties could manage an effective throwing form to strike multiple targets in succession quickly and efficiently, making up for its relatively smaller size when compared to other offensive weapons such as swords or bows & arrows.
Bo-shurikens were not only deadly battlefield tools but also symbols of honor amongst ninjas, who would practice extensively before demonstrating their skills on opponents using these unique implements specially designed by them over time.
The designs indicated which clan they belonged to and established elaborate hand seals alongside signatures made from flicking bo shuriken at paper targets during training sessions instead of combat situations.
What Are Throwing Knives?


A throwing knife is a specialized type of weapon made to be hurled at an enemy from afar. Generally consisting of one- or two-sided blades with handles for gripping, throwing knives have been around in some form or another since prehistoric times and were used extensively by warriors during the medieval period throughout Europe.
What separates them from other projectile weapons, such as spears, is that they usually measure between 10 – 16 inches long depending on their design but do not correspondingly possess the same level of strength and durability, meaning that breakage is more common with this type of weapon.
The most popular configurations they are fashioned in vary from blades described as single-edged daggers and symmetrical double-edged so-called ‘butterfly knife’ designs to triangular shapes meant for optimized control when throwing or combat situations.
A dagger was also mainly used as a backup weapon during a conflict – their primary purpose being aimed toward targets at a distance but could alternately be thrown after an enemy has been thrust upon via hand melee if need be.
Throwing Spikes vs Throwing Knives Comparison
It’s no secret that throwing weapons such as spiked and knives have been around for centuries. From ancient warriors to modern-day survivalists, there has been a long-standing debate over which implement is the more effective weapon – throwing spikes or throwing knives?
The answer to this question can be broken down by comparing the core properties and characteristics, such as size, the sharpness of the blade edge, and the overall materials used to construct them.
Size
When it comes to size, there is a significant difference between throwing spikes and throwing knives.
Throwing spikes, also known as Bo Shurikens, are generally shorter in length than their knife counterparts measuring somewhere 12 – 20 cm, making them easier to carry on the person or within small pouches while a throwing knife tends to be much longer in length, with some measuring up to 18 inches.
This difference in size between the two weapons also affects their aerodynamics, as throwing spikes have a more streamlined shape which gives them greater accuracy when thrown at targets, whereas larger and heavier throwing knives can easily experience reduced trajectory stability mainly due to drag forces created by air resistance against its surface area during flight.
Sharpness


When it comes to sharpness, there is one clear comparison between throwing spikes and knives. Throwing spikes are typically composed of a single piece of metal or stone that’s been fashioned into its pointed form, with just the tips being as truly effective against potential targets at a distance away.
On the other hand, throwing knives may come in various designs, such as symmetrical double-edged so-called ‘butterfly knife’ forms, and may have a larger portion of the blade edge being sharpened by design.
Therefore, when it comes to maximizing contact with potential targets in terms of cutting or piercing power while having enough base material for strength and durability, throwing knives should be taken as one’s primary choice over spikes in most cases.
Construction
A throwing spike and a throwing knife may seem similar in terms of structure, as they both consist of sharp pieces of metal that can be crafted into various shapes to throw.
However, upon closer examination, the differences between these two weapons become more evident – namely, in their construction.
Throwing spikes are typically made from thinner materials such as sheet metals or stone, allowing them to fit within a person’s palm and giving the user greater control over their flight. This also means that throwing spikes are far more fragile than knives, often resulting in breakage when hard surfaces or objects are impacted.
Conversely, throwing knives usually have stronger materials that lend themselves to better durability, such as stainless steel blades designed for increased strength and resilience against rough terrain types. They also have a more sturdy handle compared to a spike handle.
Despite these advantages, they still remain relatively lightweight, so one can quickly hurl them toward a target with speed and accuracy.
Distance


A few distinct differences arise regarding the range of these two popular throwing weapons.
A throwing star was historically intended for short-distance combat and ranged up to 15 meters away from its point of origin – past this boundary was where accuracy began to drop significantly due to its less aerodynamic shape.
Now, with throwing knives, the range extends much further – up to 50 meters away from where it was thrown due to their longer and sleeker body configuration that could be held more efficiently in hand, which increased a practitioner’s levels of control over trajectory while still managing extreme accuracy before reaching its intended target or area past this boundary.
Accuracy


Accuracy between the two implements is another aspect that needs consideration, and interestingly enough, one of them fares better in this department than the other.
A throwing spike, for instance, has a higher rate of accuracy since they were designed to pierce through leather or cloth armor after being directed swiftly toward a specific target or area.
On the other hand, throwing knives were designed for less fatal wounds.
Their accuracy relies mainly on an individual’s form when performing this type of skill, requiring strength to be launched with precision at whatever intended destination – often creating serious injury but not enough lethality as its counterpart could achieve even though they remain equally proficient overall.
Learn the differences between a throwing axe and a tomahawk here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are throwing stars better than throwing knives?
Throwing stars, or shuriken, and throwing knives can both be used for martial arts weapons training. However, it depends on what you’re trying to achieve when deciding which is better for the situation.
Throwing stars are more aerodynamic than throwing knives due to their shape and size. They travel faster through the air but have less stopping power once hitting a target than a heavier knife.
On the other hand, throwing knives are heavier and bulkier than stars but offer better impact for a target when thrown correctly due to their weight and blade-cutting capabilities.
They have more stopping power compared with that throwing stars. Ultimately it depends on what you’re training for since both weapons can be used effectively given enough practice in accuracy or precision targeting.
What are throwing spikes used for?
A throwing spike is a weighted projectile, usually made of metal or wood. They can be used for many different purposes in martial arts and combat sports, such as:
- Throwing practice – Training someone to improve their accuracy in throwing projectile weapons.
- Self-defense – If thrown correctly, they can be used as a form of self-protection against attackers.
- Competitive sport – Using predetermined rules and regulations such as distance or accuracy for martial arts competitions emphasizing speed and accuracy.
- Offensive weapon – Those in certain professions who may be required to use throwing spikes tactically as part of their job functions, such as bouncers, bodyguards, or police officers.
Are throwing knives ever used in combat?
Yes, throwing knives can be used in combat. Throwing blades of various shapes and sizes have been traditionally employed by both militaries throughout history to take out opponents at longer ranges without resorting to firearms or other weapons that require more energy.
Wielding throwing knives effectively requires practice and skill since it’s difficult to make accurate throws over long distances while maintaining control over the blade’s trajectory against wind resistance or obstacles in its path, such as tree branches.
Are ninja throwing stars illegal?
The legality of throwing stars (aka throwing spike) depends on the state you are located in. Generally speaking, it is illegal to own or possess a ninja star in California and some other states as well due to laws regarding weapon possession/manufacture without a license specifically designed for martial arts use only.
However, exceptions depending on your individual circumstances, such as age and place of residence, may allow you to own/possess a ninja star.
If you have any doubts, it is recommended that you get in touch with your local law enforcement authorities for clarification on such laws and regulations before attempting to purchase or carry one of these weapons.
Conclusion
After taking a closer look at the various properties and characteristics of throwing spikes versus knives, it’s clear that they are indeed two different weapons with specific purposes.
Both have advantages depending on what an individual is looking to accomplish in terms of range – for instance, if one wants to take out a target at far distances, throwing knives is probably the better choice due to their design which allows for more distance.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for maximum lethal power against an enemy wearing armor –or any soft material– then spiked weapons might be your go-to option thanks to their pointed shape, which is designed specifically with penetration in mind.
Ultimately, the choice between throwing spikes versus knives comes down to one’s preferences and needs based upon the purpose or situation they might be looking for when picking out an implement.
Anyone considering either type of weapon must consider these factors before finally selecting which item best suits them so that use can be maximized.