As a knife thrower, you are often on your way to the next knife, to put it figuratively. Not because your material is necessarily bad, but because there might be something even better. Sometimes that feeling is just a nagging suspicion, but it can also be a knowing. In my case, the truth lies somewhere in between. I have won championships three years in a row with three different models. So some elements may not depend on the knives. However, with lessons learned from the previous competitions, there is possibly something better around the corner.
This time, French Throwingzone released a new model called the Pathfinder that piqued my interest. The Pathfinder looks somewhat reminiscent of the competition knives I have, with some significant differences. One has to do with the design of the tip, but the main one is probably that this model is lighter!
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| Throwingzone Pathfinder |
The Pathfinder has the special ratio of being a full 8 mm wide while keeping the weight down to a relatively low 242 g at a length of about the same in millimeters, namely 245 mm. The length is quite normal for a No Spin knife. The thickness varies on this type of throwing tool, but the thinnest ones are around 5 mm and then there are knives up to a full 1 cm! I don't believe in the latter for various reasons. The most common is six or eight millimeters. For that reason, this model is also available in both dimensions. Six millimeters gives a weight of around 180 g. It is too little for my personal throwing style and in addition, it is not allowed in most competitions that require a minimum weight of 195 g. That version is therefore for home use only.
Eight millimeters of thickness has the advantage that there is a lot to grip around but above all to rest a finger against. That is the whole finesse of a wider back in this case.
But it tends to get heavy. A problem that is solved in a simple but ingenious way. Henry Guillaume who designed Pathfinder has simply removed large pieces of metal in the blade as well as in the handle.
When doing so, it is important to do it the right way. Otherwise, of course, the strength is compromised. The first impression is that it is done correctly here. This dimension can withstand a lot of abuse without breaking. Swedish Hardox steel is used, which is extremely tough and impact-resistant. You will otherwise find it in various types of excavator and bulldozer applications, for example. In addition, these knives are mostly handmade, which means that they are literally inspected by someone, and bad apples are probably rare. Apparently, Throwingzone thinks so too as they offer a lifetime guarantee against the knife breaking.
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| Pathfinder is designed by Guillaume Henry |
I must also comment on how the tip is designed. Here you have what might be among the most aggressive blade shape that can be accomplished without making it fragile. The next step is to sharpen the blade to an actual live edge, but if you do, it won't hold up for knife throwing.
It will be very interesting to test the Pathfinder. If they feel like I think they do, these are my future competition knives. I have my suspicions about how it might behave. For example, I have noticed that there is an upper and lower side on the handle for use at different distances. A feature I had on an older set and appreciated. Likewise, I have thoughts about how the holes might feel and what the penetration might be like.
These questions and thoughts will all get their answers shortly and you will get to share them!
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