Cold Steel Perfect Balance Thrower, Black

I just wrote an extremely long, detailed review of this thrower that got deleted due to my log-in Timing out so I'm going to just keep this as short as possible. I used to dabble in circus and sideshow skills like firebreathing, juggling, etc. and though I always wanted to add knife throwing to that list, I was never able to find anything but poorly made lightweight sets, too small to use in any kind of performance. In my opinion, and that of most people I know who throw, knife throwing is a novelty. Unless you're deadly accurate and consistent, throwing a knife at someone is pretty much just putting a weapon in their hands.Over the past year or so I started collecting knives to use in my general day to day work, mostly Benchmade and Spyderco folders and the occasional Ka-Bar Becker fixed blade for camping. Now knowing a bit more about knives, I decided one day to veer from the practical and see if I could find any respectable looking throwing knives, made with decent blade steel. After seeing Amazon and other sites littered with a million of the same tiny sets I wasted far too much money on years ago, I finally came across exactly what I was looking for with Cold Steel.As mentioned, most of my knives were purchased for their practicality, and Cold Steel is a company I had always avoided, having written them off as a novelty company with impractical fantasy type weapons. Luckily novelty was exactly what I was looking for. The Cold Perfect Balance throwers cannot be shipped to NY; however, the True Flight can, and so that was the knife I first began my throwing with. The knife collector in me was satisfied with the excellent durability, nicely wrapped paracord handle, and extremely well made sheath; however, the sideshow performer in me still lusted after the Perfect Balance.Finally when I headed back to Miami I was able to pick up the Perfect Balance, and can say without any doubt that it is an absolutely heavyweight thrower. On the practical side of things, it is an extremely well balanced blade, a characteristic necessary to development consistent technique. Like the True Flight, it is also made of a 1055 carbon steel, which has held up perfectly through the abuse I inflicted during my learning period. As important to me as the practical aspects are the aesthetics, a throwback style of knife similar to those seen in movies from first half of the century. This, combined with its size, make it the perfect knife for those looking for a throwing knife fit for a sideshow or circus style performance.So, what this knife is: A large, heavyweight thrower, great for novelty use, or in a performance where smaller knives aren't nearly as visually impressive. Excellent for beginners looking to throw knives of this sizeWhat this knife isn't: Anything except the above. Cold steel mentions in their promo video that it can be sharpened for use as a cleaver or combat weapon, but I have no idea what they were thinking. Setting aside all the reasons this knife is absurdly impractical for these uses, the sharper an angle you put on the blade, the more brittle it will become, and you risk chipping of your blades for no reason.The only thrower I'd recommend if you want something that can function as somewhat of a utility, survival knife, would be the previously mentioned Cold Steel True Flight Thrower Paracord Wrapped Handle (Sheath), Its nearly half the weight, but still quite a hefty blade. Also great to learn with, I've found myself slipping the sheath on my belt for some quick outdoor work when I didn't want to go searching around my apartment for my KB2.

I use it as a zero turn thrower. The straight handle facilitates this and with the weight and length it has a lot of penetration into my end grain target. It is very well balanced for this and makes a great zero turn thrower. It is also durable. I have had a number of terrible hits with it while getting used to it. It did not take a bend or break. I have broken and/or bent other throwing knives. Though it is designed as a thrower, the scales on the handle, which are not present on most throwers, allow you to grip and control it well for slash or thrust, but still allow for a nice slide release when throwing. And of course with its size it is a formidable blade. Further, with the single edge design, it is legal to carry (at least in the field) in states like Michigan with double edge restrictions.

This is a classic design. So easy to throw consistently and sticks in the target like a throwing weapon should. This is a bowie knife you can throw. Very nice initial quality, thick, about 45 Rockwell hardness. I find that heavier knives are easier on my tendonitis in my elbow. It's always a nice smooth lob to the target. It was difficult to test for durability because I never miss with this! I would have to intentionally throw it down to the concrete and I'm not doing that. This is made to throw by itself. It doesn't need to bump into friends. That's the problem with a huge Bowie knife is it takes up a lot of space on the target. It also comes quite sharp. It only took a few swipes on the stone to make it razor sharp. I've seen the handles snap off of them when multiples are thrown so I removed them and installed some tread tape or skateboard tape. Gives me the grip I need to throw this huge chunk of steel and the slip to make consistent throws. This knife is at home in the backwoods. I suggest getting a generic Bowie sheath, and carve yourself some wood or bone handle scales.

Great size. Nice and weighty. Great balance, as indicated by name. I took it to the forest and started throwing at a stomach-high stump. I have only thrown light knives before this one, so it took some adjusting. But in about ten minutes I was sinking spin throws from the handle and sinking the blade two inches into the stump from 11 feet. With a no-spin technique, I had to start much closer, as Thorn suggests. So I started at three feet and worked on that. Next time I go back to the woods, I'll try to increase my no-spin distance. Using handle throw, I also stuck a few from about twenty feet, but with much less consistency due to my lack of practice and beginner status. It is a pleasure to throw and stick.I also tested its cutting power by chopping through some sticks and whittling a spear-point. It slammed easily through branches with clean cuts and whittled a spear point pretty easily and quickly from hard wood.I didn't really mess with blade throwing. Maybe I'll try some next time. Great buy and great price. Good fun and exercise.

This Is a all around great knife ! You can use it like a hatchet to cut stuff or you can use it for a throwing knife. Its a good size at 13.5" inches long. The weight to this knife is 15.3 oz So when you throw it , it has some good weight to it . This knife is made out of 1055 carbon steel and has a composite handle (plastic like handle) witch is the only thing you have to worry about . The handle could brake if you hit it the wrong way ,but the handle can definitely take a beating though. I can throw this knife by the handle or blade ... and I can throw it with a no spin . This knife will kill you wooden target !!! It sticks deep into the wood . It is sharp but not so sharp that you can't throw it by the blade