Acejetis not an unfamiliar name here on the blog. Last time it happened, it was the Achillesmodel that was reviewed. I had a couple of objections to it, and they were mainly based on the size and the design of the tip. For some reason I don't know, Acejet has been quite modest when it came to the length of this type of knife. They haven't been that many in number either. First up were the Spinner Bowie and Maximus, closely followed by the aforementioned Achilles.
On the No Spin side, they have always been big with well-known models like Stinger, Excalibur and several variants of Raven, among others. In addition, they have added several variants of Bo-Shuriken to the catalogue
Acejet
But now Acejet has gone big and is also focusing on knives for rotational throwing. It is a significant expansion of the range. We are talking about fifteen new models, which are also available in both Spinner editions and regular versions, and in several different lengths. This gives a total of around fifty new variants.
The knives come wrapped in a Bandana as usual. Also included is a certificate of authenticity and a pair of playing cards with the Acejets logo.
My first encounter with these knives was this one called Merlin Kiridashi.
Acejet manufactures all of its knives in Bohemia, a place not only known for its crystal glass but also for strong traditions in industry and technology. The material used in these knives, like most Acejet products, is a Czech spring steel called 14260. It has proven to be an excellent choice as it lasts very well. Should an accident nevertheless occur, Acejet has excellent guarantees.
Acejet Merlin Kiridashi
In terms of appearance, both the Merlin Kiridashi and its sister model, the Kiridashi, are quite extreme. They have features of both kitchen knives and daggers with long, thin blades.
The Merlin Kiridashi is available in two lengths, of which this is the longer, 14" or 35.5 cm. The thickness is 6 mm, and this gives a total weight of 330 g. It must be admitted that it feels lighter than when you first hold it in your hand. The balance is otherwise neutral.
The distinctive appearance gives me an idea of how it might behave. For example, the thickness together with the really long and narrow tip is an excellent basis for brutal penetration, poor targets!
In addition, I wonder how the special handle works in practice. It has something of a pistol grip character, as it is usually called in folding knife circles. This means that it is curved in relation to the knife's intended centerline. What it can contribute in this context is that it provides an extra "kick" that enhances the rotation when thrown from the handle. The question is how much and how it affects the knife's properties. Another interesting question is whether there is a big difference between the feeling when thrown from the blade and the handle. They look quite different.
I intend to discuss that and much more in an upcoming review!
Det här är inte bara summering av en månad med knivkastning utan tillika den första för året. Än så länge är vare sig jag eller Växjö Sportkastning så lyckligt lottade att vi kan kasta inomhus. Men det jobbas även på det kan jag avslöja. Det är emellertid att gå händelserna i förväg.
Mars blev lite speciellt i år då det först var vargavinter, även här nere i södern, för att sedan gå direkt på vår. Det ser fortfarande lite märkligt ut då vi haft några veckor i sträck med mestadels sol men inte en tillstymmelse till grönt någonstans. Ja, sedan fick vi även lite aprilväder en månad i förväg med något snöfall och lite regnskurar blandat med solskenet.
Fast när jag tittar tillbaka i träningsdagboken så ser jag att kastningen faktiskt inte började förrän i mars även föregående år. Å andra sidan kunde det då kastas långt in i december vilket inte varit möjligt den här vintern. Det har lett till mer ringrost än vanligt.
Throwingzone Pathfinder, mitt förstaval för No Spin
Men glädjen över att kasta har definitivt infunnit sig även om jag i skrivande stund är tvungen att pausa på grund av ryggsmärtor. Det kan ha något med det ett och ett halvt ton måltavlor jag lastat in och ut ur vår lilla bil. Det går liksom inte att vräka in dem i bilen utan man måste luta sig något framåt och försiktigt lägga ned dem. Det är väl inte det mest lyckade ur ergonomisk synvinkenl när man håller en träbit med en vikt kring 70-80 kg som är våt och utan handtag.
På något vis var det dock värt det då jag och vi äntligen har tavlor att kasta på. Därför kommer det inte att dröja länge innan reguljär träning skall startas.
Innan ryggproblemen blev det dock en del kastat, närmare bestämt:
20 pass
vilket totalt gav 63 timmar
och cirka 28 600 kast
Det blev med andra ord en rejäl rivstart på kastsäsongen för min del. Men som jag skrivit tidigare, jag har en del att hämta igen då kollegor och konkurrenter tränar både inomhus och i klimat som tillåter kastning året om. På den punkten ligger jag i lä.
Kast med mina "Nazgul", mina nio No Spin-knivar från Zitoon Knives
De knivar som nyttjats mest är de som jag också ämnar tävla med i VM så småningom. Det är främst Le primitif rotation och Pathfinder för rotationskastning respektive No Spin. För långdistans lutar det än så länge åt Bullseye Blades Nobu.
Bra träffar från 7 m med Bullseye Blades Nobu
Men jag kastar förstås en del med andra knivar också särskilt när jag kastar "volymkastning" No Spin. Topplistan ser ut ungefär som följer så här långt:
Throwingzone Pathfinder: 5415
Zitoon Knives Le primitive rotation: 3960
Zitoon Knives Le Rafale: 3224
Zitoon Knives No Reload: 3224
Zitoon Knives Le primitive NS: 3194
Zitoon Knives Philippe: 2654
Bullseye Nobu: 2289
Acejet Excalibur: 1129
Lanceur de l'âme Tangetsu: 455
Anledningen att tre av No Spin-seten från Zitoon Knives har så lika siffror är för att jag oftast kastar dem samtidigt. Jag kallar dem för Nazguls, de nio!
Idag blir det som sagt inget kastat så månaden kan som sagt summeras enligt ovan. Hoppas att ryggen och vädret tillåter lite kastning redan imorgon!
Acejetis a brand that initially focused mainly on making knives for No Spin throwing. Something they became very well known for.* They didn't jump on the bandwagon for rotational knives right away. That's why this knife was only their third attempt. Before that, there was the Spinner Bowie and Maximus, knives I've previously reviewed here on the blog. Things are different now that they are about to launch a major investment in rotational knives. It will be exciting to see where that investment ends up.
The first thing that can be said about this model is that it is beautiful to look at, especially in this version. That was the first thing I fell for, I must admit. It is called, as the title already suggests, Acejet Achilles. This version, however, has a longer and rather descriptive name, as it turns out. This version is called Acejet Achilles Shadow Vintage.
Acejet Achilles
The reason for this is, of course, that this knife comes in several different variants. To start with, it can be had in a standard version or as a "spinner", i.e. with a hole in the middle for better playability. Then you can choose between getting it with or without a leather wrapped handle and what colour the steel should be.
However, none of those choices answer how it feels to throw, and I intend to elaborate on that a little more here.
Appearance and dimensions
One thing that you, as a thrower, will sooner or later have to decide is what type of throwing knife you prefer, as there are several basic models. Two of the most common are Bowie-inspired knives or, like this one, those based on a dagger of some kind. There are more, but we'll leave them there for now.
That feature is, of course, the first thing you can see; the second is the striking colour combination between the white handle (well, when it was new anyway) and the dark steel. It is also the two details that give the knife its full name, as mentioned.
The black or perhaps more purple steel is called "Shadow Steel" in Acejet's catalogue. Its validity or otherwise can be debated for practical reasons. But it is very nice to look at, especially when the knives are new.
But that means that it is blackened in a shade that resembles black/purple/gun metal, depending on how the light falls. Pleasing to the eye, but it has its drawbacks. Something that is quickly discovered if, for example, you miss the target or get a side hit and have to look for the knife among leaves and grass. "Shadow" is correct as it blends in extremely well among shadows.
Like all coatings, it also wears out over time, which can be seen in the pictures. The only marking on the knife is, as usual, Acejet's logotype neatly laser-etched on the blade.
Nice to look at, but short, thick and light is probably the best summary of the look
The second part of the colour combination consists of the handle, which is created with a long leather cord that is wrapped around and through the handle. It is also available in three different shades. White as here, alternatively brown or black.
The third detail that is obvious is that Achilles is kind of latticed. This applies to both the blade and the handle. Whether that is good or bad can also be discussed. More on that later. What it does is that it lightens the knives, and the question is whether it was needed or not.
This model is certainly a massive 8 mm thick, but in return, it measures no more than 12" or 30.5 cm in length, which is short for this kind of throwing knife. The width is at most 35 mm just in front of the symbolic finger guard. Above that, the knife is 43 mm wide.
Overall, however, this means that the knife weighs in at a relatively low 325 g, and that's with a leather handle. This makes it belong to the lighter class of rotational knives.
Material
Acejet's main material is a Czech steel with the designation 14260. It is used in all models, although there are deviations in the catalogue nowadays, such as D2.
Spring steel is an excellent material in general when it comes to throwing knives that have slightly special requirements compared to a standard knife. The impact force produces strong vibrations, and the knives hit various targets with different hardness. It wears out any knife, and we haven't even talked about misses yet! In addition to pure broadsides and oblique hits that break against the tips, this also includes ricochets. They can end up almost anywhere, which can mean close contact with a little of everything, such as concrete, asphalt, stone and not least other knives. It takes its toll.
This one, like most of Acejet's throwing knives, is made of Czech 14260 spring steel.
For this reason, throwing knife steel starts out much like any other knife material, but in the process of hardening and heat treatment, the Rockwell number (HRC) that is boasted of in other contexts, if it is over 60 in these cases, is usually around fifty. All to get a more durable product. 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. However, I have a hard time imagining that it is any greater cost for them. It seems that not many break like that.
Then, as a buyer, you should be aware that very few professional throwing knives are stainless steel, so they require some maintenance.
To Throw
Achilles is said to be a rotational knife, but of the three models that were available when it was released, this is the most all-rounder.
I have developed a lot as a knife thrower since my first reviews of this type of knife, and now have many hundreds of thousands of throws behind me. This is, of course, reflected in how I view the tools, since I use all types of techniques. Therefore, I can say that the inherent properties of Achilles make it more of a multi-tasker than a specialist.
At shorter distances, the Achilles is a precision instrument. This was my very first throw with this knife last fall.
One feature that immediately made me a little skeptical and which later turned out to be true, was the design of the tip. Achilles has a chisel grind, but the "edges" are only cosmetic, and the width of the tip is a full seven millimeters and the blade also widens relatively quickly. After 4 cm, it is already two centimeters wide and then it is not a sharpened knife we are talking about but an oversized screwdriver. Overall, this gives a rather poor penetration ability.
But the weight feels good, the balance point is found 16 cm from the tip or 14 cm from the end of the handle, depending on how you look at it. Fairly neutral with a light rear weight, which is excellent!
- Rotational
It is actually in this area that the Achilles shows its greatest weaknesses compared to other knives with the same pronounced focus, strangely enough. But what it loses here, it makes up for in other areas, it would turn out. What I mean is that the Acejet Achilles is not completely easy to throw from distances other than three meters.
From short distances, i.e. three and four meters (1 and 1.5 turns of rotation), this is a pure precision instrument. Since the knife is light and short, it spins very quickly. This is an advantage from three meters, as the knife does not need to be accelerated in any way but manages to turn around anyway. In addition, it makes the flight path feel very straight. Something that is then confirmed at longer distances, where it is a factor. In addition, the power is sufficient from close range to get good hits even on half-bad targets. So far, no worries, but rather the opposite. Achilles gives a very good impression.
My first tentative throws with Achilles
However, one of the knife's peculiarities is already apparent from a distance of five meters. As mentioned, Achilles spins very quickly, which in turn means that the thrower must throw the knife towards the target, so to speak. That's because the start of the rotation must be postponed conmpared to a larger knife. If not you will get an overrotated knife.
But Achilles also requires great precision and a very straight hit. Otherwise, the knife will not stick. This is especially true if the targets are dry/hard or if they are fresh, which makes them tough, or if they are slightly frozen. In other words, anything other than perfect circumstances will complicate the throws. The reasons are found in the relationship between the weight and thickness of the knife and the design of the tip.
Achilles has no actual edges that thin the blade, which means that the chisel tip is a full 7 mm wide. Most knives for rotational throwing start at 5-6 mm thick before they taper.
With a correct hit, the penetration is sufficient, but with the slightest over- or under-rotation, it twists out of the target. It is as if the wood fibres are unable to hold the thick blade, and the knife falls. In some cases, the knife even bounces backwards out of the target. That is annoying.
A comparison between two targets, an old and worn one on the left and a fresher, unused piece of wood on the right. In the latter, a large part of the throw bounces off the surface, and when they stick, it is only about a centimetre deep or so
It is possible to compensate for this phenomenon by adding slightly more power into the throw, but this often results in poorer precision. The knife's natural rotation requires a lighter touch, so if more strength is used, you have to force the knife to spin correctly, and this is at the expense of the aim. This is what starts to be noticed from five meters.
At six and seven meters, what I described above is reinforced, with the exception that the knife actually feels quite easy to throw from seven meters. A large part of this can be attributed to the fact that here the feeling forward and the straight flight are an advantage. This is assuming you don't use strength of course. Then the knife over-rotates easily. A feeling TOWARDS the target is the trick.
Then I am generally not a fan of the wrapped handle. In my opinion, it provides too much grip and thus friction, which means that the knife does not slide out of the hand as easily as it should. This is especially true if the leather has become the slightest bit damp from sweat, rain or snow. Then the thrower has to release the knife by opening his hand, which is not good.
The leather grip also makes the knife feel significantly different depending on whether you throw with a grip on the blade or the handle. A matter of habit, but worth pointing out. Especially when daggers often have the advantage of being more symmetrical in that regard, which is usually one of their advantages.
- Half Spin
What Achilles loses by not being perfect for rotational throwing, it makes it all the better in other areas. Half-spin techniques, bot military and instinctive, are good examples of this.
Simply put, it feels like these are the techniques the knife was primarily developed for. The grip for underhand throws from the blade, for example, is exemplary. Just the right width and thickness. What can be a disadvantage when it comes to sticking the knife into the target make this knife easier to hold. The balance is also very good for the purpose. It is found just in front of the intended finger guard. The knife would probably be somewhat worse in this regard if the leather were removed.
Then the notch in the blade, which is also ground on the inside so that it does not feel sharp, makes the knife extremely easy to index in the hand. This makes Military Half Spin an excellent technique with this knife. The thumb easily finds its place laterally but also longitudinally.
The same can be said about the Instinctive Half Spin. The taper of the tip lies well in the hand, and the side of the blade is so thick that the index finger has a lot to push against. This makes the knife easier to control.
This in combination with not too much weight, makes Achilles a superb knife for half-rotation techniques of all kinds.
- No Spin
This is where I get most confused. I certainly tend to claim that you can throw anything with No Spin techniques. This also applies to larger knives, and especially if you use techniques inspired by R Thorn. But despite that, larger Bowie knives are rarely the best for No Spin. This knife, on the other hand, even has a handle length adapted for a No Spin grip. Especially since the back of the finger guard works great to place the index finger, which is so important in this context. If you were to remove the leather wrap, that feeling would be even more pronounced, I believe.
That said, the Acejet Achilles is probably one of the best rotation knives I have used for No Spin. I wrote something similar about another model, "Maximus", and that impression remains. Both of these models are clearly made by a company that primarily launched knives made for throwing without rotation.
It is therefore possible to throw No Spin with the Achilles even if it does not beat its more specialised siblings, such as knives from the Raven or Stinger families.
Conclusion
There is no denying that the Acejet Achilles Shadow Vintage is a knife that looks good in pictures. It is simply a stunning model.
One of the problems with good-looking throwing knives is that they usually do not remain so after they have been used. Sooner or later, often sooner, you hit other knives, hard surfaces, bad hits on the targets and so on. This leads to handles getting dents, getting scuffed or breaking a little, depending on what they are made of.
In this case, edge hits on targets lead to the leather cord that makes up the handle partly loosening and partly breaking. A problem that is multiplied if the leather gets wet. I think I glued these handles at least three times. That is not the only problem with this handle. The other is that I think it makes the knife a little too thick. Especially as the difference between how the knife feels when thrown from the handle and the blade becomes greater. A feature that is important for rotational knives. At least according to my preferences.
Then there was the Shadow Steel phenomenon. The steel does not remain blued in the long run, I can tell you. First, the colour on the tips rubs off, then the whole knife. The best proof of that is my older Raven IIs, which are almost pure steel colored at this point. It hasn't really gotten as far with the Achilles, but that's because they've been thrown less.** Then there was the problem of finding them if you throw them outdoors and miss. It's never easy, but dark blades don't make it any easier.
To that can be added that the coating tends to discolour your hands. Or at least they do in bad weather, that is, cold and wet.
This is still seen through a camera lens; the reality is worse
Then this is a result of the coating. I thought it would be on the blade, not on my hand
As with all other models from Acejet, the Achilles feels solid, not least because it is sturdy with its eight millimeters thickness. But I quickly became a little suspicious of the length and how it would affect handling, and those fears turned out to be true.
Thirty centimetres is short for a rotational knife, and just over three hundred grams is light in this context. The result is a knife that is certainly very all-round, something I described earlier, but also the properties that are desirable for a good rotational knife suffer. For example, a smaller knife does not rotate as calmly and does not behave as predictably in the air. The thrower also needs to use more strength from longer distances, which can negatively affect precision.
Here is the Achilles compared to some other throwing dagger tips. The almost twice as wide blade on the right has better penetration thanks to its thinner edges
Another detail I'm not entirely happy with is how thick the steel is, especially in combination with the thickness of the tip. Now I don't always have access to perfect soft log rounds, but I have to throw what I have access to, which sometimes includes hardwood and older, dry and hard targets. Then it quickly becomes apparent that with the original tip, the penetration of these knives is not very good. Unless you hit completely straight from a short distance, of course. Then there are rarely any problems.
But a lot of it is determined by the thrower's preferences. If you prefer lighter knives, this might be something for you. The positives are, for example, that it is easier to practice with them without overexerting yourself and that they are more reminiscent of other types of knives (read No Spin) if you switch between styles a lot.
Acejet Achilles, not a contender for the throne for best rotational knife, but a really good knife for all-around throwing
Overall, I therefore do not think that the Acejet Achilles Shadow Vintage is the best choice for those who want the ultimate knife for rotational throwing. Especially not in this variety. In that case, choose a "naked" version without the black steel. Not as nice but significantly more practical.
BUT, and that is a big but. If you want a very well-made knife for all-around throwing, this is a viable candidate. It is much better for half-rotation techniques whether you throw over, under or from the side. In addition, it is actually good for throwing No Spin if you want to add that technique to your ability.
That I am something of a Francophile when it comes to throwing knives is perhaps starting to become clear at this point. I have a weakness for small French enthusiast brands and now have knives from brands such as Throwingzone, Zitoon Knives, Pierre Cazoulat and not least Lanceur de l'âme. Behind that name hides a knife thrower, and also knife maker, and a blacksmith named Maxime Blanchet.
This model, called CR04, is one of the simplest in the range. But that was actually what attracted me. The lines are clean, and the dimensions and weight were exactly where they should be. In addition, there were a few details that were already in the picture that revealed to me that I will probably like them.
Lanceur de l'âme CR04
One such detail is the design of the tip in relation to the handle. When a knife looks like this, it gives a grip that feels more equivalent when the knife is thrown from the handle and the blade. In comparison, another model from Lanceur de l'âme, Dague du competition, can be put. They are, in turn, knives made to maximise results in competition from precision distances of three, five and seven meters. This means that having a wider blade is an advantage, as it increases the chances of higher scores. However, it also means that the handle is narrower in relation; in this case, the ratio is three to four centimetres, respectively.
With the CR04, it looks a little different as the handle is 26 mm wide and the grippable part of the tip is 38 mm, where my index finger ends up, but the part in front of it is much narrower. This provides good conditions for a rotational knife. Especially as it is neutrally balanced. In fact, the weight is slightly closer to the handle than usual. Much depends on it being quite short.
A little coffee before I try to test the knives despite the winter darkness and drizzle.
The total length of the knife is 32 cm, and the thickness is just under 6 mm, which gives a total weight per knife of 375 grams. Excellent proportions for a knife for Walk Back. It is possibly a bit too light to be completely optimal for long-distance throwing, but otherwise damn good.
In addition, there are several details that enhance the general impression. One is how well-rounded all the edges are, and another is the bevels. But above all, it is noticeable in how softly rounded the transitions between blade and handle are, approximately where the heel of a chef's knife would be.
The steel is, as is often the case with knives from France, Swedish, and here we find Hardox 450. It has proven to be an excellent steel for throwing knives. Tough, impact-resistant and easy to sharpen if misfortune strikes and a tip needs to be reprofiled.
I am really looking forward to inaugurating them properly, but for that, we need slightly better weather.
As strange as it may sound, these are my first US-made throwing knives. The only ones I had previously that had any connection to that country were a set of Large Spyderthrowers from Spyderco, but they are made in China and by a company that doesn't specialize in throwing knives. They only happened to have one model in their lineup for a while.*
But now it was time for a real set. I have a hard time tearing myself away from this type because it is modeled after kitchen knives. A theme that I have a weakness for, for understandable reasons. For those of you who don't know, I work as a chef.
The alternative was also very tempting, as it was either a set of "Sidewinders," which is also a signature model from this brand, or a "Wild West Bowie." However, the latter was not available in sets of three, which decided the matter.
The knives, as the title reveals, come from Bullseye Blades, and the model is called Nobu.
Bullseye Blades Nobu
It is a classic model from this brand by now. Cody Cooper, also known as "SlanginwithMrCooper" online, is now the co-owner and manager of them. He was one of the people who saved the brand from disappearing.
The knives found their way to me through Bullseye Blades representative Natalie Murray, also known as "Savage Thrower". It was during the World Championships in Hradek Králové. It gave a better price than it would have otherwise done
Knives for rotational throwing using kitchen knives as a model
Nobu is a typical rotary knife, as revealed by the dimensions. The model is 13.5 inches long, which is just under 35 cm. This gives a weight of around 380 grams, even though they are only 5 mm thick. The material used is 80CrV2, which is excellent. But like all other throwing knives, it can rust quite a bit, so it needs some maintenance.
The knives are very well indexed with indentations in both the handle and the blade, which helps the thrower feel where the knife is in the hand. It is not strictly necessary for a throwing knife, but it makes the knife easier to throw.
First impressions are that they are really, really good. They exude competence if an object can do that! You will probably see more of them whether you want to or not.
/ J - the knife thrower
* A model that they really screwed up with. When one of them broke (!) I did get a new one after a bit of hassle. But it was thinner than the original version and thus slightly lighter. A real miss when it comes to throwing knives, I can say. Then it's a bad choice from the start to make throwing knives out of stainless steel, which they chose.
I suppose it is the top of the blade that contributed to the model name, L'albatros. It is, after all, a rather imposing bird, one of the largest flying birds in existence, depending on how you measure.*
This knife from the French Zitoon Knives also gives an imposing impression. It has a distinct presence, quite simply. The short description is not that long, but very powerful.
Zitoon Knives L'albatros
Now, Albatrosses are best known for their enormous wingspan and the fact that they rarely land. Two things that don't really match up with this knife. Firstly, it lands with force, I can reveal after testing throwing. Secondly, the span is not enormous; L'albatros is 33 cm long.
But since the thickness is 6 mm and the blade is wide, the weight lands at 485 g with a leather handle and around 460 g without. That actually makes them among the heaviest in my collection.**
The finish is one of Zitoon's usual, which means brushed steel. On a throwing knife, having any advanced surface treatments is not always appropriate. They wear quite hard if you say so. At least if they are actually used. Speaking of used, a Swedish Hardox 450 is found as a material. A steel that Zitoon uses most of the time. It belongs to the category of wear steel and is found in various industrial applications such as dump truck bodies, dozer blades, and other things that belong to heavier machines. A sustainable alternative, therefore.
On the website,e Zitoon writes that the Albatross is built for "competition and performance". Which I completely agree with, but I would also like to add that it is a knife with quite specific properties, so it probably won't suit all throwers. The weight-to-length ratio, total weight, and the design of the tip and back are what make it unique.
Då var det snart dags igen. Förra året startades vad som förhoppningsvis blir en stabil svensk tradition, åtminstone för den som är intresserad av sportkastning. Kniv- och yxkastningstävligen Soulthrower Open i Arboga.
Premiäråret kom det representanter från sex nationer varav några rejält långväga eller vad sägs om Australien och USA? Vi får se om det slås i år men i vilket fall som helst är det ett ypperligt tillfälle att möta likasinnade, ha kul och kasta kniv och yxa.
Sedan bör påpekas att ALLA är välkomna. I den här sporten hittas såväl gammal som ung, dam som herr och nybörjare som proffs. Det är en smula unikt. I alla fall att de hittas på samma ställe vid samma tillfälle!
Jag hoppas att riktigt många hittar till idrottsplatsen Meken i Arboga i slutet av juni. Om inte annat alla som vill slå Marcus Pehart som inte bara är svensk kastnings nestor utan även regerande mästare i rotationskastning.
Sedan kan ni alltid jäklas med mig och försöka sno min titel från förra året i disciplinen No Spin!
I have previously reviewed a set of knives for rotational throwing from AceJet. It was the company's first attempt to venture into that domain after previously focusing solely on No spin knives.
Acejet Maximus
Whether this model called Maximusis the second or third contribution to this area is debatable. The reason is that another knife called Achilles was introduced around the same time, about a year ago.
Appearance and Dimension
Throwing knives can be roughly divided into a few different categories. The first distinction that can be made is, as mentioned above, to separate them by which technique they are primarily intended for. Furthermore, knives for rotational throwing can be said to belong to several basic variants. Maximus is a type of dagger.
The definition is not universal, but here we have a knife that is completely symmetrical and double-edged. A typical dagger in other words. Or maybe not quite typical as the original is of course a Roman sword, a gladius. Contrary to what many people think, they exist in a wide range of variants. Maximus is most reminiscent of a type called "Mainz". Typical of them are the straight edges which give the angular look, the slightly curved middle section, and the blades become wider towards the handle. All this is found at Maximus, although it is rather discreet.
Then this model is characterized by the fact that it is a "spinner". That's what gives the big round hole in the middle. It is only there to make the knife more "fidget friendly". It is easy to spin and get a feel for the knife that way. Theoretically, of course, it is a weakening of the knife, but so far I have not managed to break any of my knives of this type, regardless of brand, so it does not feel like a big risk.
A spinner knife inspired by a Roman sword
Maximus is available in two different lengths, of which this is the shorter one which means 12" or 30.5 cm. The longer one is 13" which is 33 cm. The thickness is 6 mm, which gives a weight of 306 grams. I do not know what the longer model weighs as Acejet does not like to mention it on its website, which is a shortcoming as it is important information for a throwing knife. The width of the blade is a maximum of four centimeters and a minimum of three centimeters. The handle is quite narrow and measures 17.3-23.5 mm.
The finish on these knives is a rough brushed satin and the leather slabs are available in three different colors. In addition to the black seen here, they are also available in white and dark brown. The sides are held in place by three fairly simple stainless steel screws.
Material
Acejet does not often wander far astray from their favorite material, even if there are now some deviations in the catalog. But that doesn't apply in this case. Found here is their classic Czech spring steel with the designation 14260. A steel that generally do well in my experience. By that I mean it neither bends nor cracks. However, the tips are a little sensitive to hard hits. But that basically applies to all throwing knives. Anyone who doesn't always throw a knife per target or doesn't have perfect surroundings needs to resharpen their knives sooner or later. This is because of close contact with stone, concrete, or other knives. It's easy with this steel. Then, as a buyer, you should be aware that very few professional throwing knives are stainless, so they require some maintenance.
The material is Czech spring steel with leather slabs attached to the handle with stainless screws
The leather is quite thin and the screws are not the most durable
The material on the handle sides is, as I said, leather. A rather thin one as it measures only 1.3 mm. In my opinion, it could have been doubled from the start. Something I will do when it's time for change. It would give a fuller handle and also look more luxurious.
Even the screws are of a simpler quality than the copper rivets usually found in throwing knife handles. One of them broke fairly immediately and had to be replaced.
To Throw
It can be said right off the bat that it is somehow noticeable that the Maximus is a rotational knife made by a company that specializes in no-spin knives. There is something about the feel of the knives and the fact that they are quite small for the purpose and not least light. It brings with it both pros and cons, which I think become even more obvious when you start practicing with them.
At short distances, especially from 3m and one rotation, the knives are good
- Rotational
At the outset, it can be said that this is a knife that flies straight and easily. That is, you must have a fair amount of speed directed towards the target and the initial movement must not be too "round", if that makes any sense. The knives must also not be held too upright/vertically in the hand but with the tip tipped towards the board. Otherwise, they over-rotate. Much of that is due to the neat format. The knife itself does not help as much as on a heavier model, but the thrower is responsible for the speed.
It also means that the knife rotates very nimbly once it starts spinning. Therefore, it is important that the throw strives towards the target and that the rotation from three meters starts relatively late. Once that feeling is in place, aiming with the Maximus is easy. The rotation is predictable and the throw does not curve downwards because, as I said, it is not heavy. So far, most things are good. Especially as the penetration is also efficient as a result of the double-edged tip.
Mixed throws from two to five meters including rotational throws, Military Half Spin, No spin, overhand throw and underhand throw, right and left hand as well as backhand and some misses
But one design choice I don't fully appreciate is how narrow the handle is. As I said, it is around a centimeter thick including the leather sides. When it is then combined with a width of less than two centimeters, there is not much to hold around. The knife therefore becomes more like a bo shuriken or other very slender throwing projectile. However, they are not intended for rotational throwing, which this knife is. That's how there isn't much to grip if you have slightly larger hands.
However, the three-meter distance is the strength of this knife. After that, it gets more complicated. Namely, I am not entirely convinced of the feel of the knife from four meters, which means gripping the blade. Somehow the blade doesn't feel as well indexed as many other knives. The feeling is that the design has to rule over function in this case. As you know, it is possible to throw everything, but it can be more or less difficult.
When the distance then increases to five meters and two rotations, the disadvantages of the knife become clearer. Mostly connected to the fact that it is small. The shape of the handle is felt even more at this distance as it is more difficult to achieve the exact same grip with each throw. This makes it harder to be precise when, for example, points throwing. Something that is not as obvious with instinctive throwing but well with, for example, Walk back.
From four meters, the knife feels somewhat "fluttery" in my opinion. Not exactly difficult to stick but also not as solid in flight as I would like
From the longer distances of six and seven meters, these characteristics are reinforced even more. The Maximus feels a bit fluttery in the air and I find it difficult to aim. From seven meters, however, the knives are relatively easy to stick in the target. So that is not the problem. The rotation speed is fairly easy to calculate if you have managed to figure out the right grip. However, it is more difficult to directly feel how much power is needed. Other knife models are better at guiding the thrower when it comes to that bit.
From six meters, I am not at all friends with this model. For that reason, among others, this will never be a knife I would choose to compete with. The problems from four meters return, of course, but here reinforced by the longer distance and the fact that there is thus an additional rotation involved.
- Half Spin
Half rotation techniques come in a couple of different variations and the most common is what is often called Military Half Spin where a thumb is placed on the side of the blade. Given the size and that the blade is not excessively wide, this is also a good option to use with Maximus. This applies whether you throw overhand or underhand.
In addition to that, there is also Instinctive Half Spin. In that case, an index finger is placed on the side of the blade. In fact, Maximus feels almost as well suited for this technique as it is for rotational throwing. Therein lies both the knife's strength and weakness. It's suitable for many things but may not be the best at anything.
- No Spin
In addition to how the knife feels to throw with rotation at short distances, it is of course here that the heritage from Acejet's other products is most clearly felt. For those who want an all-round knife that can also be sent away with no-spin techniques, this is a pretty good choice. Personally, I prefer more "Osetr"-like knives in that case, but it can be done. Especially if you throw "Thorn-style". But then, on the other hand, you can also throw relatively large Bowie knives.
The techniques are facilitated both by the format and by the fact that the upper part of the blade forms a platform to put the index finger at. The grip is also better for this technique compared to many other knives in the category due to the narrow handle.
Conclusion
I feel a little torn about the Acejet Maximus, I must say. On the one hand, they are partly well built, even if both the screws and the thin leather in the grip feel a bit cheap for knives in this price range. The balance is good and as a precision tool at short distances, they are formidable. If you are going to throw at playing cards at three meters, these are really good knives. The rotation is quick and easy to anticipate.
In addition, they are surprisingly all-round focused. Both half-rotation techniques and no spin can be thrown with these knives as well. But that is not what they are primarily intended for and rotational throwing includes more distances than three meters with one turn. Especially when gripping the blade (from 4, 6, and possibly 8 m) something is missing. However, Maximus is not a favorite for longer distances with a grip in the handle either.
I would have liked to see a longer and heavier knife, something that can perhaps be obtained with the larger version, but also a different shape of the handle itself. This thin handle with its slight bulge towards the end is not a favorite in that regard. I have a hard time getting a consistent enough grip and getting the right feel when the knife leaves my hand. In this way, the knives feel more adapted to instinctive throwing.
Acejet Maximus is an good all-round knife for those who like this type of look but is not my top choice for competition use
But don't get me wrong, these are not bad knives. They are rather easy to stick to a target. It's just hard to get that last bit of precision with the Maximus in my opinion. But if you are not competing or trying to beat your own score records, there is no problem.
Therefore, I can recommend these knives to those who mainly want to devote themselves to rotary throwing but who are still looking for knives that can be used for a little bit of everything but where competition is not the main goal. In addition, you get a distinctive look, something that doesn't look like everything else.
* One thing where I don't fully share AceJet's approach to marketing is that they choose to emphasize that Adam Čeladin is a five-time world champion in connection with the presentation of this knife (as well as all other products). On their website, they claim:
"We present a knife developed by Adam Čeladín, a five-time world champion in knife throwing".
My objections are partly that he has never been world champion five years in a row or split for that matter as far as I know. He is thus not a five-time world champion. That title is usually reserved for whoever wins the Walk Back discipline in the respective throwing style. Something he never did five times.
If you include all other disciplines that appear at championships where a medal can be obtained, I am not only a double Swedish champion, but have more titles than that, for example. But it is not customary to count in that way. However, it is possible to hold world records in all disciplines. There is, of course, someone who has thrown the longest in the world and for that, you get a medal at the WC (Which, by the way, there are several of them in different organizations). Similarly, someone scored the most points at each distance thrown, etc. This may be due to language confusion in translation from Czech to English. But in my opinion, it is clearer to say that Adam is a former world champion and has won a total of five gold medals.
The other objection I have is that none of it has anything to do with rotational throwing. It's not his forte and therefore I don't understand why they choose to emphasize that part when it comes to knives in this category. As far as I know, he has no similar success in that discipline at all.
"Le Classic XL" lives up to its name as it is a model that has partly been in Zitoon'scatalog for a while and partly has a very classic look. Basically, it's simply a smaller Bowie knife. It is also available in two versions where the original and smaller version without the extension "XL" are for No spin throwing.
Zitoon Knives Le Classic XL
This larger and heavier knife is instead found under the heading traditional throwing knives on Zitoon's website. How traditional it really is, I intend to try to find out here.
Appearance and Dimension
The feeling that this is a Bowie knife comes from two things. One is of course the clip-point blade and the other is the weight. This is a knife that feels extremely compact, almost brutal when you hold it. Most knives for rotary throwing usually stick to a thickness of 5-6 mm. But in return, they are usually somewhat larger, above all longer.
The handle is spacious and extra long to achieve the right balance. Two holes allow you to more easily attach handle sides to the knife if desired
Le Classic XL measures only 28 cm in length. It is matched with a thickness of a full 8 mm, which gives a weight of 360 g! A weight that is well chosen and repeats itself in several knives I have tested and also use, but never one that is shorter than thirty centimeters.* Hence the somewhat brutal feeling. But one thing is pretty sure and that is that this knife will never break.
Le Classic is a full 8 mm thick, not something you break in a hurry
Otherwise, the knife is characterized by a rather long handle for the sake of balance. The surface is brushed steel and on one side of the handle, Zitoon's logo is found laser etched. The handle has two holes so it can be fitted with handle slabs of some kind, preferably leather if desired.
The edges of the handle are rounded, which makes the knife feel pleasant to hold when throwing. No sharp corners are found here.
Material
Zitoon Knives uses steel from Swedish SSAB in the form of Hardox throughout the catalog. It comes with a couple of different additions like "450" and "550" and belongs to the high-strength steel group. This concretely means that they are certainly not very exclusive but in return well chosen. The original applications include areas such as excavator buckets, dumper flatbeds, and dozer blades.
Tough and strong steel in other words and these are excellent properties also for a throwing knife. Scars of various kinds always occur when training with knives. This is especially true if you do not have the perfect training arena with several targets so that you always throw a knife per target and round. But even then mistakes happen and close contact with ground, stones, concrete, or whatever leaves their marks over time. It is an inevitable part of knife-throwing.
Then it is advisable, if possible, to restore one's knife with a file, a sharpener, and a little time. That said, the Le Classic XL has proven to be just as robust as it looks. However, it brings with it both advantages and disadvantages.
To Throw
As I said, this is the rotational version of a knife that was originally designed for no spin-throwing. This means, in addition to the suffix "XL" to the name, that it got 20 millimeters longer and about a hundred grams heavier. Both of those characteristics have a tendency to affect how the knife behaves in flight.
In general, longer knives give a slower rotation and more weight also contributes to that, as well as more authority once the knife hits the board. The latter means that you do not need to use as much force to make the knife stick.
A knife this massive takes its toll on the targets
On the other hand, the increased weight and not least the fact that the knife is thick mean that you need substantial and preferably soft targets. Otherwise, the risk of the knife not sticking is high. Hard targets can work but require you to really hit with the knife at the right angle or it will want to fall down due to the weight. The tip is also very sturdy. Penetration is therefore not exceptionally good in hard materials.
Once you succeed, however, you are rewarded with a very satisfying sound. A small warning can be issued as this knife eats small boards for breakfast.
- Rotational Throwing
In general, it can be said that the Le Classic XL rotates with confidence and quite easily. At the same time, even so, it's not the most easily thrown knife I own. The reason for that is to be found in the length. Twenty-eight centimeters is short for a knife intended for rotational throwing, which means that once it starts rotating, it spins fast. Or rather, it rotates faster than a long knife, which is quite obvious.
But at the same time, a certain start-up phase is required to get this chunky knife to start spinning.
Example of a basic throw from 3m with grip in the handle
From the first distance, 3m, I hold the knife fairly neutral. The back end is against the inside of the hand in a normal handshake grip. I hold quite far out on the handle in order to "extend" the knife, or rather the feeling. The shape of the handle helps with both that and the right angle which is almost 45 degrees in relation to the forearm. Quite forward angled in other words. It is, of course, to slow down the rotation speed.
In the same way, the throw should feel like it is striving forward. As I said, the knife is compact and that means that once the rotation has started, it goes quickly. If the throw is started too early, the risk of over-rotation is palpable.
A few throws from the blade
The other basic grip, throwing from the blade, of course, requires the same approach. A firm grip on the blade with all four fingers for me and I let the cut part of the blade guide the angle of the knife. Then you just have to throw calmly and controlled and the knife will do the rest.
From a distance of five and six meters, there are no big surprises. Same grip and method as on the shorter distances. It may be necessary to correct the distances by a few decimetres backward depending on the throwing technique.
However, at seven meters, the longest competition distance in Walk Back, I have a bit of a problem with this knife. Or I just threw a little too little with it. But in any case, it's a bit too short for my taste. I'm having trouble getting a reliable throwing technique for some reason, so there are quite a few misses from this distance.
- Half Spin
For me and my throwing technique, this is not a completely successful half-rotation knife. It may be because I throw the "Military half spin" from a distance of two to four meters. Then I switch to "Instinctive half spin" instead with an index finger on the spine of the blade. I just don't throw "Conventional half spin" where the knife is held by the blade with a pinch grip. The knife might be excellent for that. I just can't tell.
- No Spin
As with its smaller relative, you can throw no spin with the Le Classic XL, I just don't like it. For my liking and taste, it is too heavy for that. As I said, the shape is a scaled-up shape of a no-spin knife, so it is perhaps not so strange that the basic technique works. But the weight makes it feel unwieldy.
Conclusion
Le Classic XL feels like a "Bowie knife" although the real candidate for that epithet in Zitoon's catalog is the Iron Mistress I previously reviewed. But some of the classic basic features are there, which means that the knife is not unpleasant to look at. Maybe it will be even nicer with a couple of handle sides. I'm thinking of making a pair.
Otherwise, I have to say that this knife is not my absolute favorite in Zitoon's lineup. Not because it's a bad knife but because I've come to the conclusion that I prefer around 6mm thickness on my rotational knives. Knives for no spin can be a few millimeters thicker.
Here the feeling becomes somewhat too compact to fully appeal to me. I don't mind the weight, but I would like to see it spread over a little more surface or rather length. Maybe 30-32 cm instead and the same thickness as little brother Le Classic. But all that is a personal preference. So if you know that you like a solid knife with weight in it, this is something for you.
A piece of French craftsmanship signed by Olivier Feret
But I would probably argue that this knife requires its thrower and thus is not the ultimate beginner's knife. There are others from Zitoon that are more suitable for that and I then unsolicitedly think of a knife that I will review here a little later called "Spinner" for short. I experience it as significantly easier to throw.
However, they have in common that they radiate quality. These are mostly handmade knives from France. They are designed and manufactured by Olivier Feret and can thus be considered "semi-custom" depending on how one chooses to define the term as machines are of course used. Mr. Feret is a man who places great importance on a good product can be stated. Something that is noticeable in the finish and is reflected in important details such as well-rounded corners and soft edges. This applies consistently to all the knives I have from Zitoon Knives and this one as well
Le Classic XL is the knife for those who like compact rotational knives and Bowie knife aesthetics
Le Classic XL is a throwing knife for those looking for a tank in knife format. It doesn't get much more robust than this and you will NEVER break it. For that guarantees 8 mm thick high-strength steel. But you also get a knife with a fairly traditional look and stable throwing characteristics. In addition, you also get a good portion of French craftsmanship and maybe a knife that not everyone else has?
Zitoon Knives
Specification:
Steel: Hardox 450
Length: 280 mm
Height: Blade 31 mm, Handle 26 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight: 360 g
Point of Balance: 13/15 cm from end/tip
/ J
* For example Zitoon Knives Spinner Dagger with a weight/length ratio of 370g/32cm and WL Custom Blade Patriot Dagger with 365g/32.5cm.
