Some thoughts regarding Eurothrowers new set of rules

This post may very well turn into an open email to Eurothrowers and most likely it will be. Namely, there are some things I do not understand with their new regulations that would come into force for this year's WC/Big Throwers Meeting. Or more correctly, there are some specific changes I do not understand. Until this year, they have changed the conditions for which knives may be used in competition under their auspices. However, this does not apply to all techniques and disciplines, but only to no-spin.

Examples of knives that are not allowed if the new rules are strictly applied, Wulflund Vengeance, Throwingzone Scalpel, and Acejet Guillotine

The new rules are very difficult to find, but if you are looking and considering participating in this year's unofficial WC which would have taken place in Germany, you will find them linked on the same page. I wrote "would" because it is canceled then both the town where it was supposed to be held and the reserve place in France said no due to the pandemic. This is despite the fact that the event would not take place until later this year. But in the light of recent events that might be wise. 

The new rules for 2022

The new rules* for no-spin knives stipulate the following:

The Knives 3.1 

• Only knives are to be thrown in this no-spin event. 

• 3.2 For this no-spin event, the lower bound restrictions for a throwing knife from the standard rules do not apply. 

• 3.3 A knife can not be a no-spin throwing knife for this event if it fails any of the following preconditions: - Minimum weight 195g. - Has clearly distinctive blade and handle. - Blade comprises at least 30% of the total length. - Width at least 2cm for a stretch of at least 5cm (anywhere on the knife). 

• 3.4 The event tests the mastery of specific throwing techniques. Therefore the following limitations are imposed: - Prohibited are all devices stabilising the flight, such as feathers, wings or ribbons. - Prohibited are throwing aids such as Atlatl spear throwers, slings, or strings that impart rotation. The throwing aids include the Spanish Gyro throwing knives. Due to a number of factors (finger acting as spear thrower, stabilising rotation along the longitudinal axis), those throwing knives fly with the tip steadily pointing towards the target, thus reliably sticking independently of the distance or the skill of the thrower. 

• 3.5 No-spin throwing knives will be marked with a "N" upon knife registration

The rules for knives to be used for rotational throwing, on the other hand, are much freer. There, three criteria are enough. They say that "Only knives with a rigid blade, longer than 23cm and with a blade narrower than 6cm" are allowed. Then there was nothing more. Extremely short and concisely formulated.

So, they must not be too short, not too wide and the knife blades must not be soft, whatever that means. The width, I can understand as a nicely sharpened shovel would cover the entire target and thus hit all point zones at the same time. The length feels arbitrary but not many people want to throw with shorter knives anyway. Otherwise, they may be long or rather short, light or heavy, with or without a handle, etc.

Thus, there are no problems to take a knife that is currently used for no-spin and use for rotational throwing but not the other way around.

Unauthorized knife models

The reason I address the subject is that these regulations will pose major problems for those who today throw no-spin. This applies to many well-known profiles and their self-designed products as well as amateurs who use their products. Knives you have trained with for a long time can suddenly become obsolete for competition purposes.

Either Eurothrower has deliberately wanted to attack a number of manufacturers/designers with successful models behind them, or there is a mystery to be solved. Without making too much effort, I can find many well-known knife models that do not meet one or more of the new criteria established.

Examples of knives intended for no-spin that do not meet all the requirements that Eurothrowers set up for the WC 2022

• Throwingzone Scalpel, Proton, Wayflyer, and Bolt
• Prince Steel Knives Arrow and Jack of all Trades
• Graf Knives Dart and T3 Nospin
• Acejet Stinger, Hornet, Raven I, Kunai, and Guillotine
• Wulflund Vengeance, Arrow, and Top Dog 
• Flying Steel Starship, Moonship, Amulet, Vayu, North Wind, Talisman, and Shur-Knife
• Yggdrasil Knives Huginn
• Bimknives Teardrop och Arrow, 
• DXB Sport Perun II och Veles

Those of you who know your throwing knives will notice that these are primarily knives based on Tom Tom's well-known Arrow model and derivatives/further developments of this model from, among others, Adam Celadin. But not only that, models from various designers from the UK, France, Russia, Indonesia, and the USA also get banned. 

Most of these knives have "edges" or "blades" that are shorter than a third of the length of the knife as they are usually held to the tip for purely practical reasons. There is no need to make them longer.  After all, they should not cut anything and in most cases, they are still most symbolic.

This is probably what Eurothrower wants to avoid in competitions. A "Bo Shuriken", home-made in this case. 

But the criterion that almost every knife misses is that it should have a "distinct blade and handle". It is first of all a very fuzzy wording and then the question is why? To promote "Osetr" type knives? The only reason I can imagine is that they want to avoid Bo Shurikens. In other words, nail-like throwing weapons. But it's here where the baby disappeared with the bathwater. 

What makes it a bit silly is that as soon as some form of rudimentary finger guard is added to the design, it can be argued that it is a separator between what constitutes a blade and what is a handle, even if the shape is identical on both sides. Acejet Excalibur can serve as an example of a knife looking like that. On the other hand, there is no difference in the thickness or width of the handle or blade on either side of the finger guard on this model. 

The only problem is that in order to be able to use some no-spin techniques, the knives must be smooth for the index finger to be able to slide along the handle part of the knife when it is released. Finger guards can also be in the way when throwing instinctive half-spin

This model, Acejet Excalibur is possibly approved as it is equipped with a symbolic finger guard that delimits the "blade" from the handle. Then the blade will also be longer than the edges automatically suggest. Unfortunately, the knife is narrower than 2 cm, so might be forbidden anyway. 

These knives from Acejet, Biting Metal and Graf Knives are all approved as they have handles in the sense that they are lower than the blade which in turn is accentuated by an "edge" which, however, does not meet and thus is not sharp. They are examples of "Osetr" type knives

Because the rules are so vaguely worded, the question also arises as to what is required for a knife to live up to them? That you destroy the appearance of the knife by modifying them slightly?

Let me take an example. Acejet Stinger is one of the models that misses two of the requirements. They are significantly heavier than the stipulated 195 grams and they are wider than 2 cm for a distance of at least 5 cm at the rear end/handle. Those requirements are thus met. But then there is a problem as the "edges" which still do not meet and thus by definition are no edges but which still constitute the "blade" do NOT correspond to 1/3 of the length of the knife. Nor is the transition between blade and handle clear as there is none. It is thus banned! 

BUT the knife can be destroyed in appearance and thus be made to meet the regulations if I understood it all correctly. First, extend the four edges about one centimeter with a suitable file and suddenly, that criterion was met. They now correspond to one-third of the length of the knife. IF it's the edges that are seen as blade, that is. The rules are not clear on that topic. The solution risks being ugly but approved.

Passed or not passed Stinger? That is the question that remains to be seen

Then carve a grid pattern at the back end to mark that it is the handle. Unfortunately, this impairs the throwing properties as you do not want a rough surface on a no-spin knife made for slide techniques. The thumb is on the side of the handle during such throws.

It is also possible to provoke by asking the question of how FEW lines are required for it to be counted as a "distinct handle". If the entire surface is roughened and patterned, it must be seen as a handle. There are other all-steel knives such as some "neck knives" that look that way. But are two grooves in the metal enough or maybe eight? Or is it at sixteen, seventeen lines that the limit goes? Another question that arises is if carved patterns are counted as handles, is the rest of the knife without that feature automatically a blade?

Personally, I think that the part you grab which is not sharpened constitutes the handle. But that is clearly not enough for Eurothrowers. If you do not throw rotational that is. In that case, the knife does not need a "distinct" handle at all.

This is Dismissal 14" from Condor. A knife that is fully allowed for rotational throwing but not for no spin throwing, although it is certainly no good for that anyway

In other words, a knife can be approved for rotational throwing but be banned if you throw it without it spinning in the air.

It is extremely unclear what the limitations are regarding the design of blades/handles and it seems fairly obvious to me that those who came up with these ideas do not know a thing about formulating this type of document.

Problems that follow if the new rules are applied

What happens if these rules are applied is that a whole category of throwing knives is declared illicit, simply put, all of the "Arrow" type as well as many other slimmer models. There are many who throw with knives that would be persona non grata and among them are some really famous and good throwers. Names that immediately spring to mind are Thomas "Tom Tom" Hampich from Germany, Adam Celadin from the Czech Republic, and Henry Guillaume from France.

Then it would not be extremely difficult for the manufacturers to incorporate the changes I proposed as "DIY" above into their production knives. But then it follows that everyone who has already invested money in knives must buy new ones. If they want to compete, that is.

Two knives with similar dimensions and weight where one is allowed and the other not. The scalpel certainly has a distinct handle but the "blade" is too short and the knife too narrow while the Corsica at the bottom is modeled after a classic "Vendetta" knife and is slightly wider

As an amateur but planning on participating at this year's Swedish Championships in knife throwing, I wonder which knives I should practice with? Right now I use both Guillotine and Stinger from Acejet and Scalpel from Throwingzone. All three belong to those who are not allowed if Eurothrower's rules are adopted. Although these are my favorite knives, in that case, I have to switch to knives I have not used as much.

I'm a little curious if there are more than me who have thought about this and if anyone possibly has any answers?

/ J

* The rules can be found here (20220705 kl12.25): 

https://www.knifethrowing.info/big_european_throwers_meeting.html och kan laddas ned i PDF-format.