Throwing knives: are they practical for real world combat?

Question

They seem like an outdated art, only good for showing off and tricks. Good for the movies, but not so practical.

Do any professions actually encourage the use of throwing knives anymore? Do throwing knives have a practical purpose aside from entertaining an audience?

Answer 1

they would probably be paractiacle if it was legal to throw knives at people. well if you knew how to use them anyway.

Answer 2

NEVER throw your weapon at your opponent...keep control over it AT ALL COSTS.

If you plan to be in a knife fight you must deal with the psychology and overcome the fear of being cut.

You will be cut in a knife fight.

The critical target areas on a person are very small and your chance of hitting a person and penetrating clothing and equipment is small.

It comes down to pure physics and physiology.

Is the knife have enough mass to penetrate the target? Can you throw the knife to reach a speed that injure your opponent?

Best to stay away from weapons and resolve your conflict with negotiations OR RUN AWAY!    

Answer 3

I wouldn't reccomend it, from what I've seen some people throw the knives and only the handles hit the guy. Now you have just armed your enemy!

Answer 4

They are impractical.

If you miss your mark, you have given your opponent a weapon to use against you!

Answer 5

Well, if your at home (and you own throwing knives and are trained with them) and someone breaks in. I suppose you could use it. Otherwise... not really.

Answer 6

Watch the movie Desperado and tell me if there practical or not..

Answer 7

I know in the army they put a knife on the end of the weapon and use it to stab people  

Answer 8

People inexperienced and dangerous with knives are the reason I keep a gun.

Answer 9

It has been my experience that anything is possible if not by you, by someone  who has been there and done it , let's not forget that genuine throwing knives are especially crafted and balanced for throwing accurately at all types of targets and requires that the thrower  have some skill .

Professionals in the military and law enforcement have no use for it today because of the availability of silencers used on guns.

Throwing Knives are illegal in many states.

Answer 10

they are too slow a projectile to get a definite hit.

if the target is moving you got no chance of hitting him with a knife.

if you can surprise your target from the back in a stealth situation you might get a use for throwing a knife but a definite kill would most likely still be out of the question