"Is This A Dagger Which I See Before Me?" Yes, my dear Macbeth, it is! From the battlefield via literature and film to knife throwing. There is something special about long narrow knives with double edges and that fascination goes back through history.
 |
| Zitoon Knives Spinning Dagger |
This also applies to these throwing knives, despite the fact that this variant is not actually very narrow and is also not sharp. We're not talking about stilettos. But still, the impression itself is very "daggery", streamlined and symmetrical. The knives in question are, as the title already says, Zitoon Knives Spinning Dagger, handmade throwing knives from Normandy in France.
Appearance and Measurements
For daggers, these are, as I said, quite wide. In concrete figures, this means 38 mm which must be set in relation to a blade length of 180 mm. Although that measurement is pretty uninteresting on a throwing knife to be honest. But it gives the proportions. The total length, on the other hand, is of greater interest and is measured at 320 mm. It translates to 12.5 inches which is probably not a coincidence as it is a length required by some organizations if you are going to compete. Above all, those rules are found in the UK and the USA.
The thickness of the knife is a fairly normal 6 mm. The dimensions together give a total weight of 370 grams per knife. It is not extremely heavy while being relatively much for a dagger.
 |
| Spinning Daggers are quite large for being daggers |
In terms of appearance, Spinning Daggers are simple and straightforward. You could also say stylish. In addition to the double edges, they are characterized by a glossy polished finish and a pattern on the handle. The latter also provides a bit of tactile feedback when holding the knife.
 |
| The double-edged blade is 18 cm long and 38 mm wide |
 |
| The pattern is laser etched and there are holes for attaching handles if desired |
In addition to that, there are two holes in the knife if you wish to provide them with some form of handle sides. In that case, I would suggest leather attached with a couple of rivets. Most other materials have a tendency to break when subjected to the enormous stresses involved in this case.
In addition to that, Zitoon's logo is also found engraved on the handle.
Material
For some reason I'm not familiar with, it seems Swedish Hardox steel from SSAB has gained a foothold among French throwing knife manufacturers.* Now that is not a bad thing as it is generally an excellent steel for throwing knives in my experience. However, it is not really for the area of use it was designed for. The steel (with added numbers like 450,550) belongs to the group of high-strength steels and is found in applications such as dumper flatbeds, excavator buckets, teeth for bulldozers' rip hooks, etc. Really tough tasks, in other words.
What can be said is that is very durable in this application too. It can handle the hard hits throwing knives are subjected to including the occasional hit from other knives. Therefore, it has immediately become one of my favorite steels. It is also quite easy to grind. A feature that is very desirable in throwing knives as they often need to have some jack or sprained tip adjusted with a file and sharpener.
To Throw
For those who know their throwing knives, it is quite obvious what these knives are primarily intended for. A quick look at a picture is enough even if you missed the name. Spinning Daggers are, of course, classic rotational knives. To those who are not as well-informed, it's the type found at the circus, which means that this model deviates in all areas from a no-spin knife. This applies to shape, length, and relatively high weight.
But of course, all that does is that they instead live up to their name. Length and weight make them rotate somewhat more controlled or rather slower than smaller knives. In return, the knives are completely neutrally balanced, which on the other hand increases the rotation speed. The format with the double-edged tip also means that they hit targets with authority and have high penetration. Something that I particularly appreciate as I currently only have access to fairly hard targets made of birch. They demand their knife, especially before they are a bit worn.
 |
| Spinning Dagger is easy to learn rotational throwing with as the balance is completely neutral. It is actually found where the logo is |
When you start throwing with these knives, you realize pretty much immediately that they are really good as precision instruments. During the test period, an online competition called "Aim Games K19 - The River"* took place. It was the first time I participated in one of these and for that these knives were chosen. Or the "knife" in that case since in this specific round you are only allowed to use one.
One of my contributions to Aim Games K19
In this challenge, the idea is to hit triangle-shaped fields in order to get as many hits as possible on another v-shaped surface. A narrow tip is therefore preferable to a wide one and that is exactly what a dagger offers. In general, it also provides higher impact force, which means that you don't need to add much force for them to stick firmly. That in turn makes it easier to aim. In fact, if you do not throw calmly and harmoniously, the result will not be good. The knives have a tendency to over-rotate in that case.
Rotational Throwing
My first impression of the Spinning Dagger was that they felt surprisingly heavy. I had to think for a while about why because the weight in grams did not correspond to the first feeling. But the explanation is probably twofold. For one thing, it's a dagger and they tend not to be very massive. The visual impression, therefore, fools you. Then I think it depends on how they are held. The length means that they need to be gripped in the rear, tapered part of the handle, which means that it is a bit further to the balance point. A majority of the 370 grams thus simply ends up a bit away from the hand.
For me, the correct grip from 3, 5, and 7 meters, i.e. the distances where the knife is held in the handle, was to hold the knife far back with the index finger just in front of the broader part of the handle. With a semi-firm grip, the knives naturally want to leave the hand at the right moment. However, that grip must be compensated for by angling the knife forward, towards the target in order to dampen the speed of rotation and thus avoid over-rotation. The further out you grab a knife and remove yourself from the center of rotation, the faster it spins.
Basic throw from three meters with the Zitoon knives
Once the grip is found, the knives feel very neutral. The weight in combination with the weight distribution means that the knives naturally strive toward the target. The rotation is calm but still nimble. The flight path is straight and the knives, if they are not affected, tend to end up at shoulder height.
From three meters it still applies that the knives have to be "started", they have to be made to rotate with a fairly short movement close to the body to get around and you can't be careless with the "backswing".
Spinning Daggers work at longer distances too but I prefer them at shorter distances
From four up to seven meters, it becomes increasingly clear that the knife wants to rotate quickly and it, therefore, benefits from being thrown firmly and methodically but not hard. The word "majestic" usually comes to mind when I see the knives flying. At the same time, the knives need to be thrown for "real", and "non-throws" does not work. By that I mean you have to find the right amount of power. Most knives benefit from a real throw, but here it becomes extra clear. The Spinning Daggers are not forgiving like that.
At short distances, you can also "punch" the knives into the target, i.e. throw almost instinctively with rotation
Once the right angle is found, these knives are very easy to throw. This means that it is also possible to throw them with what is sometimes called a "punch" technique, you "slam" the knives into the board with a flick of the wrist. It is not exactly a competition technique but a type of throw that can be used anyway. That type of throw becomes almost instinctive and very hard.
Half Spin
Although these are knives that at first glance appear to be excellent for half-spin techniques, they are not favorites in that regard. At least not for me. On the one hand, in that case, I prefer knives that are slightly rear-heavy and on the other hand, I think the blade is too wide to get a comfortable grip on. But the same applies here that it is no problem to throw half spin with them, whether you throw with "normal", backhand or underhand throw.
Then it matters that I mostly use "Military half spin" with a thumb on the side of the blade. Then the knife feels wider than otherwise. For those who throw "natural half spin" and thus hold the knives in a handshake grip with one of the edges pointing towards the target, the feeling is different.
No Spin
The reasons why this is not a knife for this type of throwing are the same as why it is good for rotational throwing, but the other way around.
Despite that, it is of course perfectly possible to send the knife away without rotation if you are good enough and above all, it applies to short distances. Then the index finger is placed on the side of the ricasso and then it's just a matter of throwing. But it doesn't feel quite natural to me. This is due to several reasons. One is that the knife is fairly neutrally balanced and a no-spin knife is usually somewhat to very back heavy. If they are neutrally balanced, they are instead shorter.
However, what you feel most when you hold the knife in that way is the weight. Most knives for anti/no-spin throwing weigh between 200-270/280g. Knives for spin throwing rarely weigh that little. What gives authority in one case begins to feel unwieldy in the other.
The other thing that bothers me is the long handle. When the Spinning Dagger is gripped for this type of technique, the handle sticks out of the hand down onto the wrist. It is also not optimal.
Although they are not ultimate for no spin, it's possible
But as I said, it is possible to throw no spin with these knives as seen in the video above. Mostly because most things can be thrown that way.
To Conclude
Zitoon Knives is perhaps a brand you may not have heard of before. But they are well worth taking an extra look at. I started by taking inventory of their traditional/rotary throw models for the simple reason that I was in a period of that when these knives were acquired. However, Zitoon is actually perhaps better known for no-spin knives, so I will have reason to come back in that case. In particular, there is a model I have in mind called Big Slim II which I understand is a success.
These are knives of very high quality. At the design stage, it is noticeable that the knives have been thoroughly tested and that the knifemaker himself is a knife thrower. Furthermore, the material is well-chosen and the execution is excellent.
Then it should be added that this is a small one-man company so the knives are to be considered custom or semi-custom depending on how it is now defined. That is, they are made by a man who grinds them and completes the work by hand but they are not forged but machine cut, and the patterns laser etched. But the same can be said for most knives on the market today. However, after contacting Zitoon, you can add or remove details if you wish. Thus, I would call them custom knives.
 |
| Spinning Dagger is a really good option for those who want a powerful dagger to throw with |
About the Spinner Dagger, it can be said that the symmetry of a dagger not only affects appearance but also how they are thrown or rather how they are gripped. There are both advantages and disadvantages to the basic shape. The big advantage is found in the fact that there is no up or down on the knife. Whether they are to be pulled or tucked away in a sheath or passed from one hand to another to be thrown, you don't have to think about which way the edge is pointing. Not infrequently, throwing knives otherwise have different characteristics depending on which keel they are thrown with the edge down or up.
In this case, the knife is gripped as far up the handle or blade as you are used to, and then it is just a matter of throwing. Similarly, this model is designed so that the grips in the handle and blade resemble each other thanks to the coil-shaped appearance.
But therein lies the downside. The fact that the Spinning Dagger is a symmetrical knife also means that the handle does not tell you exactly where to hold it as clearly. Not in this case anyway. The indexing that is present is the bulge on the center of the handle. Then it can be reinforced by, for example, making the handle a little fuller with leather grips.*** Or that wasn't entirely true, the pattern found on both sides of the handle actually helps a little bit.
 |
| My first meeting with a model from Zitoon Knives was really successful. There will be more! |
Without a doubt, my first encounter with Zitoon Knives was a positive one. Initially, I was hooked on the look but then it was the accuracy characteristics that kept me throwing with the Spinning Dagger. Then I don't know in general if I choose a dagger for throws at longer distances, but the jury is out in that case, as they say.
But at shorter to medium distances these knives are excellent. So if you are looking for a particularly well-made dagger for that type of throwing, Spinning Daggers is a model you should seriously consider.
Specifications:
Steel: Hardox 550
Length: 320 mm
Width: 38 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 370 g/styck (weighed by me)
Balance point: neutral, 160 mm from both tip/handle
/ J
* It is also used by Throwingzone for example.
** At the time of this writing, I was ranked seventh in the world in the said competition. It was then interrupted by personal reasons for the organizer.
*** Something I've done with other daggers I throw.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar