Review Throwingzone Pathfinder

  

Introduction

In the presentation of Pathfinder, I already wrote about how, as a knife thrower, you are often on the path to something new. By that, I meant that I have only been practicing knife throwing for four years and therefore have not had time to try enough models to be completely sure what suits me best. Especially not as I am involved in all the disciplines and variants I come into contact with.

But there is no doubt at this point that these creations from the French Throwingzone are good. Especially not, as I have achieved some success with them. I have a few small objections, but I will explain them later. But they quickly became the competition model for No Spin. That could give an indication of what I think of them. 

Appearance and dimensions

Pathfinder doesn't really look like everyone else, but it's not completely unique, as there are several models on the market that have been lightened in different ways. However, it's more unusual on quality knives. Often, these details are found on fairly cheap throwing knives sold via Amazon and the like. There, it's just about appearance, and therefore, a few holes are drilled here and there because someone thinks it adds to the cool factor. It's often done without much finesse, and the result is as follows. They mostly weaken the knife.

On Pathfinder, there is a completely different thought behind the design. The holes in the blade and handle are, of course, to lighten the knife, but also for the sake of balance.

Throwingzone Pathfinder

The appearance is quite aggressive with a tip that promises a lot. This effect is not least enhanced by the hollowed-out blade, which in turn makes you really see the thickness of the steel. In this case, it is 8 mm. The knives are also available in a lightweight version for those who prefer it. They are only 6 mm thick. They reportedly weigh 180 grams. That is, slightly less than what I usually prefer.

A tip with exceptionally good penetration ability

This more powerful knife tips the scales at 240 g. In my opinion, an optimal weight for No Spin. The length is the same for both and is 245 mm. The height of the blade is at most 30 mm, and on the handle, 28.5 mm.

Then the knife's handle has a distinct difference between the top side, which is almost straight, and the bottom side, which has a curve. This allows you, as a thrower, to choose how much "kick" you want against your index finger when throwing no spin.

Material

Several French manufacturers have stuck to Swedish steel. Throwingzone uses Hardox 450. Hardox belongs to a group that is sometimes called "wear steel". Typical areas of use are dozer blades, teeth for excavator buckets, dumper bodies, and the like. That is, tasks that require a very tough and robust material. Thus also well-suited for throwing knives.

The material is Hardox 450 and the thickness is 8 mm in this version.

In general, it is very durable, and the rest depends on hardening and heat treatment. Then, it can be added that in this specific case, there are a couple of additional factors. One is actually the cutting as it is done with a laser, and here there are some extra cuts to take into account due to the hole in the blade. How hot the material gets and how it affects durability in the long term can be considered. The risk of the steel becoming brittle is always there when it is heated. Especially when there is not much material left closest to the tip.

Should an accident happen and the knife cracks or even breaks for that reason, it can be safe to know that Throwingzone provides a lifetime warranty on its products.

To Throw

Like many others, I started throwing no-spin with knives that are handle-heavy. They have advantages such as helping to stabilize themselves in the air to a certain extent. But at the same time, after a few years, I can now experience that they do not feel as dynamic as a more neutrally balanced knife. That is one of the reasons why I am exploring alternatives.

However, the Pathfinder is not the first knife that pulls in that direction that I have thrown with. I have previously used, among others, Biting Metal Bug Osetr, Acejet Appache, and Excalibur, and models from Zitoon such as No Reload and The Devil's Claw. They are all fairly neutrally balanced. 

Pathfinder is really good for precision throwing

This is another step in the exploration of this type of knife. Pathfinder is as thick as the devil's claws but much lighter. Exactly the characteristics I was looking for. Especially after panicking at the Swedish Championships last year, when several knives fell off the board during the warm-up because the combination of slightly harder targets/heavier knives was not entirely successful. It made me change models at the last second, and that is not a recipe for success in general.

Some of my first throws and impressions of Throwingzone Pathfinder almost a year ago

In addition, the tip of the Pathfinder is aggressive, so the penetration ability is very good. This is despite the fact that the knife belongs to the thicker category. This means that you can also use this knife against plank targets, that is, the type that is often found in long-distance and silhouette throwing. From experience, I have also sharpened them a bit. 

- Rotational Throwing

Pathfinder is comme si comme ca in this area, perhaps a Frenchman would say. By that I mean that, of course, it works, especially since the knife has good balance, but it is still a fairly short knife and the design of the tip means that it is not particularly well suited to gripping there. It is simply too pointed.

But if you, as a thrower, still want to throw a few throws from time to time with rotation techniques, this model will not put any obstacles in the way, but it is clearly noticeable that it is not made for that.

- Half Spin

For being a no-spin knife, the Pathfinder is not particularly good for half-spin techniques in my opinion. The contrast is clear, as this type of knife usually is. This is especially true for knives with the center of gravity shifted towards the handle, such as Arrow-like models. They and daggers are usually particularly well-suited for the task. Especially if they have narrow blades that are easy to grip.

But the Pathfinder is, first of all, neutrally balanced and, in this context, relatively short. Even there, the conditions become less optimal for this type of technique, even if the latter is most important at slightly longer distances. This is especially true for underhand throws.

However, what makes me not like throwing half half-spin with this model is the hole in the blade. It is found exactly where I want to place my thumb from several distances. It forces me to either hold very far out on the tip or move my hand far up, almost into the handle. It does not give the options I am looking for. The hole also makes the "release" feel strange as the distinct insides of the blade hole slide against the fingers.

So the Pathfinder is not suitable for this type of throwing. Of course, it is possible, as very few objects with a tip are impossible to throw, but my recommendation is to not do it, as it is not very fun. 

- No Spin

But everything Pathfinder is not when it comes to varying rotation techniques; they make up for it when it comes to throwing no spin. Of course, that is what the knife is designed for. To be the optimal knife for that purpose, in Henry's opinion.

I can't say that they are the ultimate knife as I haven't tested them all, but I can assure you that they are very, very good. What can be considered the best is also something that varies greatly depending on your personal technique. No one model suits everyone exactly the same. That is also why there are quite a few different looks to throwing knives. 

Details that affect are, for example, your grip, how much side-arm or over-the-shoulder you throw, how high or low your "release" is, and how much force you use. But also whether you throw with a lot of index finger kick or more with a slide technique, and so on. There are many factors to take into account.

Then the distance also plays a role. Should the knife be used mostly for precision throwing at shorter distances or used to try to break records in long-distance throwing? Or do you imagine an all-round knife good for most things?

Some of the earliest throws with the Throwingzone Pathfinder. I have since honed my technique

With that in mind, I would say that the Pathfinder is good for most types of no-spin throwing, but that it doesn't suit me perfectly when it comes to long distance. Now, it may sound a bit paradoxical when I actually won the Swedish Championship in that discipline this year with this particular model. But it's more because I'm relatively confident in Walk Back distances (3 to 7m), and the distance to win this year wasn't that much more.

But in that discipline, I probably want a slightly longer knife and maybe a back-heavy one anyway. I'm not quite finished with that process and will probably come back to the subject.

But for precision throwing, the Pathfinder is really cool. The feeling of having a knife that feels powerful but still light is palpable when you try it for the first time. I appreciate having a solid surface for the index finger to rest against when I'm going to push, and you'll find that here. If you master the technique, this model flies very straight at short distances and is easy to calculate parabolas at longer distances. Then you still miss, but that's another question and not the knife's fault.

Then the tip is just as effective as it looks. There aren't many targets that this knife doesn't get into. Even the "Plank," which is perhaps the most difficult of disciplines, when it comes to that part. But I've sharpened my knives a bit. Not much, but I've narrowed the part that makes up the edge in relation to how they were originally sharpened. It gives a slightly thinner tip but even better penetration if the targets aren't perfect. As a thrower, you don't want to miss points because knives and axes don't stick.

Conclusion

My personal development in no spin has led me on an exciting journey. It started with me mainly using back-heavy knives to move towards more neutrally balanced ditons. I also have throwing knives in different dimensions, from three to ten millimeters thick, but I still prefer to throw with no-spin knives that are 8 mm thick. Although I must admit that there are contenders that only measure 6 mm.

In that respect, the Pathfinder is, of course, perfect. What I am looking for is the large surface area that is available for the index finger, at the same time that I do not want the weight that is often associated with that thickness. As I said, knives over 260 g are not my favorites. Especially not when you are going to practice. One throw is fine and even a hundred, I usually say, but not a thousand throws. Then the arm will eventually fall off. The risk of tennis elbow and other injuries increases significantly.

Pathfinder is the knife that is the reigning Swedish champion

But some World Cup medals, including a gold, were also won this year with Pathfinder.

I spoke a little about successes at the beginning, and by that I meant, among other things, that I have just finished a Swedish Championship in sport throwing, where Pathfinder helped me defend the title as Swedish champion in no spin with a gold in Walk Back. This was complemented by two more golds in Silhouette and Long Distance Throwing, respectively. Earlier this summer, a silver and a gold were won from the U.K.A.T. World Championships in the Czech Republic with the same knives.

In other words, I have learned to handle them quite well, even though I am far from finished or fully trained.

Throwingzone Pathfinder is recommended for anyone who wants one of the best throwing knives available for no spin

This should prove that these are really good throwing knives. It is rather with the thrower that the limitations are found. With that, I can only say that the Pathfinder is among the best no-spin knives I have tried. Then the question is whether I would recommend them to a beginner or not. It is difficult because there is a certain bias. Maybe not because it is not the easiest model to throw, but that is the honest answer. On the other hand, it is good to have something really good to start with because it makes the process easier. So I changed my mind, buy them!

The price directly from Throwingzone is currently 140€ for a set of three knives or 50€ if you want to buy a spare knife

Throwingzone

Specifications:

Steel: Hardox 450

Length: 240 mm

Width: 30 mm

Thickness: 8 mm

Weight: 240 g

Point of Balance: 14/10 cm from tip/handle

/ J - Multiple Swedish champion and U.K.A.T. gold medalist in no spin

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

Review Yggdrasil Knives Muninn XL

  

Introduction

Muninn XL is the second in a series of five throwing knives I intend to review from English Yggdrasil Knives* It is a small one-man company found close to Manchester in England. The man behind the Old Norse-sounding name is Joe Bardsley. In addition to being a knife smith and knife manufacturer, he also likes knife throwing, which led to, among other things, these knives.

In addition to throwing gear, he currently focuses on outdoor knives. So there is a bit of each to discover. But here the focus is on a raven.

Appearance and Dimensions

It's not just Odin's ravens that come in pairs, but also certain throwing knives from Yggdrasil it seems. In plain language, this means that Munnin XL shares length with the previously reviewed Huginn XL, they are both 25 cm long. The thickness is also the same, and this also applies to the entire series. The steel used is 6mm thick and the width of this model varies from just over 30mm to around 23mm at its narrowest. This gives a weight of 254 grams, which makes Munnin the heavyweight of the bunch.

It also means that the knife, albeit by a very small margin, ends up on the heavier side of no spin knives if the limit is drawn at 250 grams, which is not entirely unusual.

A spear, two ravens, and a skiing god. Muninn XL is second from the left

One of Odin's two ravens interpreted in throwing knife format, Muninn XL from Yggdrasil Knives

Then it can be quickly established that the appearance differs quite dramatically both from its raven friend and also from the other Yggdrasil knives. Here we have more of a compact arrow with a longer handle part and shorter edges. They are around seven centimeters long and 11 mm wide. It makes for a more robust knife in general.

This knife is quite shiny. If you want a darker shade, Yggdrasil Forge is known for a finish where the colors that occur during the heat treatment are left behind. It gives a unique appearance and a look that is not found on so many other knives. Original but a bit impractical is what I think about it.

This also applies to all dark or blackened throwing knives. It may look cool, but it's damn boring when you have to look for your knives among leaves and grass in the forest or in the growing autumn darkness up here in the cold north. Well, it should be shiny! It is significantly easier to see.

Material

The material is also the recurring one in all the throwing knives that Mr Bardsley has in production. He starts from a piece of 1080 carbon steel. This means a material with fairly high carbon content, which means that it can be hardened quite hard if desired. It is done here and reportedly the steel is close to 65HRC, which is extremely hard. If the knife was left in that condition it would be so brittle that I suspect it would basically explode on the first few throws. Therefore, the knives are then heat treated so they end up at a more adequate 55 HRC. A number significantly better suited for a throwing knife. Now I just think these numbers apply for the edges and the tip should be added.

So far, the knives from Yggdrasil have proven quite durable in all the parts that are not too thin. The tips have had a tendency to wear off pretty quickly, especially on the more pointed models (read the Lavaeteinn XL where it broke). But that does not apply to the Muninn XL to the same extent. It is quite robust. 

The handles are quite soft and end in this case with a point

That with one exception and that is the handle is too soft in my opinion I'm not sure it's hardened at all. In this case, it means that nicks and splinters easily occur, just like on the other models. It is a scourge if a man like me throws a lot and often at the same target. That is, several knives in a target board, which leads to them occasionally colliding or hitting each other.

To Throw

Although some external dimensions are common to the two ravens, the Muninn XL feels completely different to throw than its brother. On the one hand, it is heavier, but above all, the balance is not the same. Of course, the shorter blade contributes to that. The balance point is found 13.5/11.5 cm from the tip/back end which makes it more neutrally balanced. Certainly still somewhat rear-heavy but to a clearly lesser extent.

There are no major changes that need to be made for a throwing knife to feel different or even completely change properties in the air can be added. Those who have tried to design one themselves know that.

The penetration ability is good and behind the tip is found around 250 g which helps

If you combine those features, this is a pretty good knife to throw most things with. "All round" is an expression that describes the model well. Mainly it is a No spin knife in my eyes but it is not limited to that area.

- Rotational Throwing

Knives with this symmetrical appearance and a weight of more than 250 grams are usually not completely unsuitable for rotational throwing. This applies to the Muninn XL as well. Possibly this model can be perceived as too small if you have to throw from longer distances. Then at least I prefer slightly larger blades for a calmer rotation and more stable behavior in the air. I'm mainly talking about lengths over five meters.

Having said that, it behaves calmly and cleanly from mainly three meters, which is the first usual competition distance (if you don't insist on throwing from two meters, which some, mainly Americans, do). A lap becomes quite natural from this distance and you don't need to compensate in any way.

 

- Half Spin

One of the details that makes this knife more comfortable than the Huginn XL to throw "instinctive no spin" with is the depression above the edges. There you can rest an index finger if necessary without the sensation of cutting yourself. If you then want to move your finger further up the handle, it works perfectly thanks to the flat sides. Here, the short edges help to increase the grip possibilities. It makes a big difference in a positive direction in my opinion.

Then I prefer even longer knives for underhand throwing. Especially when the distances get longer, read over five meters. Then I like to see that the knives are around or over thirty centimeters. But it's a lot about personal preference and taste.

- No Spin

This is the area that this knife is intended for and for that reason, of course, this is where it is at its best. Compared to the other knives from Yggdrasil, this is perhaps the easiest to throw. Much of that can be traced to a combination of weight and balance. Simply put, it's harder to get a lighter knife to stick. This is especially true from longer distances. An excellent example of that is the spear in the first picture called Lavaeteinn, which is actually quite difficult to throw.

"Flight of the Raven"

Here, the extra grams help in that the thrower does not have to use as much power as otherwise. Momentum simply. Then it can be added that it is easy to throw for being a neutral no spin knife. In my opinion, a back-heavy ditto is always easier to learn to throw with. They are self-correcting in the air in a way that neutral blades are not. But in return, Yggdrasil Muninn XL and similar knives are easier to use with slightly different grips.

This is more true for beginners. You can throw everything with No-spin techniques, it's more about finding your personal preferences as everything doesn't feel as good to throw with.

"Ravens and a Crow"

In general, the Munnin XL is fairly easy to learn how to use. The rear end, which swells out slightly in width, helps to stop the rotation at the actual release, which facilitates the throw. My regular grip works fine with the exception that I don't like the tip that forms at the rear end. It rests against my hand and it is no problem if it is thrown one, ten, or even fifty throws. But if you throw a couple of hundred or a thousand throws, it starts to feel against the hand.

A piece of advice from me to all designers and manufacturers, there should only be one pointy end on throwing knives. No corners, edges, or tip on handles. 

Conclusion

Of the Yggdrasil models I've tried, this is one of the easiest to throw. The extra weight gives more authority when the knife hits, which means that it sticks to the targets to a greater extent. This also applies to those made of harder materials. The weight also means that you need to use less power than with, for example, Lavaeteinn XL.

The balance point also makes the Munnin XL more all-round than the other models in my opinion. However, the focus is still on No Spin throwing.

But, there are a couple of details I'm not entirely comfortable with and that I would have changed. One is the pointed end of the handle. It may look good, but it's easy to bump into with your hand every now and then. This applies both when the knife is to be removed from the target and if it is carried in a sheath. Another disadvantage is that it becomes more sensitive to impacts than a rounded top. For those reasons, I always prefer knives with a softer shaped rear end. In addition, the shape also gives a couple of corners that end up against the inside of the hand when you grip the knife, which is not an advantage.

There is another downside to the knife. The material is sometimes perceived as too soft.** All throwing knives get their scars, but here marks, nicks, and metal splinters turn up more easily than usual. It has caused me to cut my hands more than once on this and the other Yggdrasil knives. Now I've learned, but it cost me a little blood, and some sweat but no tears.

Nowadays, even this raven has its scars. The bill is flatter and the plumage is a little tufted on Yggdrasil Knives Muninn XL

Then it can be stated that, in my eyes, the characteristics that make the knife easy to throw contribute to making it somewhat less visually attractive. Shorter edges and longer handles give a less "knife-like" and more arrow-like appearance. It is the same concern that all "Arrow"-like knives suffer from to an even greater extent one might add.

Now it may sound like I'm being negative but in this case, looks aren't everything. Throwing knives can almost be seen as a form of tool and this is a good one anyway. As I said, the models from Yggdrasil have a slightly different character and this one is perhaps the most all-round focused.

If that's what you're looking for and you want something that not everyone else has, Muninn XL is a good option. 

Yggdrasil Forge

Specifications:

Steel: 1080 Carbon Steel

Length: 250 mm

Width: 30-22 mm

Thickness: 6 mm

Weight: 254 g

Balance point: 13,5/11,5 cm from tip/back

/ J - bird tamer

* When I started writing this review they were called Yggdrasil Forge but could then be confused with another company and have therefore changed their name.

** Something that at the time of publication of this text has changed. Yggdrasil can harden and heat-treat knives in a different way than before.

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

Review Acejet Raven II

Most things in this world develop. Some claim that progress is moving forward, but I am somewhat more uncertain about the direction although it must be admitted that it is moving. This also applies to knife throwing, knife throwers, and the tools used. For example, I myself am significantly better than a few years ago when I wrote a review of my first set of No spin knives from Acejet. The question is what happened since then?

Acejet Raven II, Shadow Steel

Knife throwing in Europe has developed to the extent that new rules are lurking on the horizon, although at the time of writing it is very unclear about when, where, how, and perhaps IF they will be implemented. It was Eurothrowers who presented them and I have previously discussed the subject here on the blog. However, they were not used at the 2022 Swedish Sport Throwing Championships.

A comparison between Stinger and Raven II

But it was partly the rules that were behind my motivation to acquire these knives. The model is called Raven II  and, as you can see, has similarities but also marked differences from the Stingers I previously threw most with. Someone expressed on Instagram that they looked like a cross between the Stinger and another of AceJet's models called the Finn and there is something to that.

The differences, of course, make the knives feel different to throw, but they also mean that (almost) regardless of what rules are implemented, these knives pass the regulations. That's also why I chose this version of Raven as there are two more to choose from. The Raven I lacks the finger guard which possibly means it can be argued that there is no "distinct handle" which is one of the new criteria. Furthermore, the Raven III has the same double rounding in the back end as the Stinger, while the Raven II has a different shape on the bottom and top of the handle, which makes it more flexible. Thus, my choice fell on that model.

Appearance and measurements

The Raven II differs from its siblings in the ways mentioned above and from the Stinger in several areas. But the differences can be summed up in that this version looks more like a knife than the Stinger does. It has a much more marked and above all longer "edge", or what to call it when the sides do not meet at all. On the contrary, about 4 mm remains, it's a rather dull edge. This means that the knife meets the requirement that the blade should make up at least one-third of the knife's total length. The clear "finger guard" also acts as a visual delimiter between the blade and handle.

The handle is shaped so that the sides are completely flat, which is by far the most common on throwing knives, while the underside is heavily convex and the top flat. It is not for the sake of appearance but is explained when you throw the knife.

Raven II are solid knives, fully 8 mm thick. The material is spring steel

The fact that the knife is thick provides a good contact surface for the index finger. The difference between the top and bottom
of the handle means that the pressure towards the rear end can be easily varied

One thing that sets this set apart is that it is not in the standard finish which means a brushed steel finish but in what Acejet calls "Shadow Steel". This means that it is blackened in a shade reminiscent of black/purple/gunmetal depending on how the light falls. Nice to look at but it has its drawbacks. Something that is quickly discovered if, for example, you miss and have to look for the knife among leaves and grass. "Shadow" is correct as it blends in extremely well among shadows and shifts. Like all coatings, it also wears, which can be seen in the pictures. The only marking on the knife is, as usual, the Acejet logo neatly laser-etched on one side of the handle. 

The length of the knives is 25 cm, and the thickness is 8 mm which gives a weight of 248 g/piece. The height of the blade is at most 1.6 cm and on the handle about twice that at 3.3 cm. Nothing extreme to be a throwing knife.

These knives also have a hole through the handle. It doubles as a hole for hanging your knife on a hook and indexing point when throwing.

Material

Apart from the coloration, the material is familiar. It is the same Czech spring steel that reappears in most of Acejet's range. Sometimes they work with other materials such as D2, but not in this case. The steel is then hardened in the usual order, but what separates throwing knives from all other knives is that in the process of hardening and heat treatment, care is taken to reduce the hardness significantly. We're talking Rockwell numbers below 50 here! Everything to achieve a maximally durable knife. If you had found it in an ordinary knife, you as a customer would not have been completely satisfied, I can say.

If, against all odds, you manage to break a piece of 8 mm thick spring steel with the right hardening, Acejet offers a lifetime guarantee. You simply get a new knife. Now, however, I find it very difficult to imagine that there is any major cost to them. It would be interesting to know if that ever happened.*

To Throw

It has been, if not a lot of water under the bridges considering all the sun this year, several hundred thousand throws since I wrote the first review of a knife for No-spin. I have also a wider experience of different knives and this experience gives me a different view of knives, I can say.

Among other things, it means that my view of how and for what a knife can be used has been somewhat nuanced. Now it's not just me that's more flexible that way, this knife is too. But it is still primarily a knife for anti-spin or no-spin throwing.

Raven II is an example of knives that penetrates very hard

This means, among other things, that these knives are rear heavy. Not extremely so, but the center of gravity is found 15 cm from the tip alternatively 10 cm from the back end depending on where it is measured from. Then the shape of the handle means that you can choose to throw the knife on the right keel or up and down for slightly different pressure on the hand or index finger when it is released. 

- Rotational Throwing

This is a point where I nuanced myself. It IS POSSIBLE to throw rotation throws with back heavy blades intended for no spin as well. However, it requires more skill than more specialized knives as they do not rotate neutrally around their center point but of course around the balance point. In order to put this and other similar knives into a target from, for example, three meters, it is, therefore, necessary to throw almost as if it were a half spin throw. In this case, that means making sure the rotation starts very late, close to the target, because once the knife starts rotating, it's quick.

From four meters you have to think again because the knife is not neutral as said. There, you have to make sure that the rotation starts early but without force if you see what I mean. Because the rotation speed is high, no additional force needs to be applied. The knife takes care of that part itself. It requires almost excessive caution. But then, in return, it is fairly easy to aim with as it flies very straight from this distance even without power involved.

From five meters the two mindsets mix and the knife behaves somewhat more like a "normal" knife for rotation. However, the throw must still be striving forward and you must take into consideration that the knife is not very long for this type of technique with its twenty-five centimeters.

With these adaptations, the Raven II becomes surprisingly accurate at shorter rotation distances. On the longer ones (6m and up) I don't completely master the knife. Mostly due to the fact that I predominantly use other knives for that kind of throw. 

- Half Spin

Just like other variants of knives with this weight distribution, slightly aft, the Raven II is extremely sympathetic to throw half-rotation throws with. This applies to both Military half spin and Instinctive half spin. Possibly it can be said to be slightly more oriented towards the latter. Asymmetric knives like this one can have a tendency to tip sideways in the air due to weight distribution. However, it is not a real problem but rather affects how the knife sticks. Incidentally, it does that quite hard. The design of the tip and the fact that the blade is sharply tapered means that the penetration is powerful. It takes its toll on the goals, one might add.

Since the Raven II is rear-heavy, it is also exceptionally good for underhand throws. It can be done with slightly different grips, but regardless of the grip, the rotation speed is easy to calculate. It is also easy to feel where the center of rotation is, which is important when throwing underhand. The closer you are to the target, the closer to the center of rotation you need to grip the knife.

- No Spin

It is for this type of technique this model is primarily developed and it shows. As stated at the outset, the Raven II and especially the Raven III can be said to be an evolution of the Stinger. It is therefore basically based on the "Arrow" type of throwing knives.

But unlike symmetrical knives, in this case, as I said, the advantage is that you can turn the knife and thus obtain slightly different properties. In short, I hold the knife with the edge down when I throw from three and four meters. From five meters and up, I turn the knife. With the same grip, it automatically gives a higher pressure from the index finger towards the back end of the knife, which prevents rotation better even without you pushing with the index finger. 

If there's one thing I could possibly add, it's that I feel this knife is actually a bit harder to throw than the Stinger. Perhaps it has to do with the length as it measures the same as for example Wulflund Vengeance, 25 cm instead of 24 cm. In return, it makes the knives a bit calmer in the air at longer distances in my opinion. That's distances from six meters and upwards. 

Conclusion

I was hoping that Acejet would be right in their sales pitch when they claim

"With a great surface and strong durable tip it belongs to the best candidates for your next trip to a knife throwing tournament. With these you can be sure that you’re gonna score well!"

With past experiences in mind, I had no reason to mistrust them. At last year's Swedish championship, I even managed to get a medal with their Stinger model. After using the Raven II during the test period, they became my first choice for the No spin discipline in the 2022 Swedish Championships. Maybe that sums up my opinion of these knives?

The result is not bad either, as these are the knives that helped me become Swedish champion in 2022** and win no less than all four gold medals in the discipline. 

Fresh soft and very nice targets at the championships

The slow-grown birch of the home targets are tougher

Besides trumping the whole rules debacle, at least as it stands now, there is another thing that I see as an advantage with these knives. It is the ability to turn them upside down for changed properties. In addition to doing as I do, changing the grip at longer distances makes it easier to adapt the grip to your throwing style.

Considering the results, I can only recommend the AceJet Raven II for no-spin

Raven II, however, is not only for those who have been throwing for a while but also works excellently for beginners. A combination of the fact that they are practically indestructible and fairly all-around focused makes them a good choice. All-round refers to all forms of instinctive throwing in this case. For rotational throwing, there are other knives both on the market and now also in AceJet's range.

Raven II is also a model that grows on you when you feel you are getting better and more confident in your throwing. The only deterrent is possibly the price. A set currently costs around €290.***

But for the pennies well invested, you get a knife set for both amateurs and professionals that will last a lifetime!

When you buy your Raven II or other product from AceJet, enter code "JOHN" (in capital letters)
 and you will receive a 5% discount on your purchase at check-out.

Specification:

Steel: 14260, spring steel

Length: 250 mm

Height: 16/33 mm, blade/handle

Thickness: 8 mm

Weight: 248 g

Point of Balance: 10 cm/ 15 cm from back/tip

/ J 


* The answer to that question is that, according to Acejet's representative, it actually happens that customers return with a badly damaged knife, but that it happens so rarely that it is not even a cost they calculate for. They just replace them.

**  Gold was won in 3, 5, and 7m as well as Walk Back.

***If you buy them from Acejet and enter the discount code "JOHN" (in capital letters), you will receive a five percent discount!

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre