Yes. We are paid to conduct authoritative and entertaining demonstrations and instruction while maintaining the highest possible safety measures.
We practice regularly and for some tricks a little "irregularly" to not only maintain our skill but hone it to a higher level.
Unfortunately, the knife throwing industry has not agreed upon a unified authoritive certification procedure. There are no "black belts" to be earned, certificates, or ID cards.
Knife throwing performers rely on marketing media (pictures, video tapes, letters, etc.) and most commonly, word of mouth references from past venues. The more the crowd likes you and most importantly, the safer you are, then the more reputable you become.
Being a newer troupe, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of safety above all, professionalism, and interaction with the audience.

Absolutely!

David is shopping and testing axes and handles all year long. He constantly searches for the best source for handles that are resiliant and consistant. This is where part of our performer fee goes; buying quantities of new product and testing it. David also checks for axe heads that are solidly made w/ either reinforced welds or solid, one piece construction that hold up to repeated throws. Different types of metals and manufacturing processes yield better types of axe heads too. The resulting impact is quite strenuous on an axe head and must hold up to thousands of throws. Handles are a replenishable expense and are expected to hold up to dozens of throws before the repeated impact forces them to break and must be replaced.

Jonathan investigates the metals used for different knives to judge resiliance and tensile strength. Again, they have to hold up to literally, thousands of throws and require minimal maintenance. Then we buy different designs based on our preferences: handle held throw vs. blade held, weight, length, etc. Again, we purchase a batch and put them through a very strenuous test. Will they hold up to hitting a random knot in wood with no or very little bending of tip, can nicks in the edge be filed out easily, etc.

Of course there are many different price levels to knives and axes from descent factory made brands to custom. We each have our favorite brand/maker. No single one is best; it's what's best for you.

This takes up a lot of personal time to research product, talk with manufacturers, retailers, makers, etc. But the fun of putting new blades through their testing paces is the "dessert" to all the the rest.

Join our troupe as a member, practice, practice, talk with other throwers, practice some more. Once you are consistant in your throws, practice some more. Everyone progresses at different rates. You should be throwing for the enjoyment and healthy recreation of the sport. You will meet interesting people and have fun.
Okay, you want an actual list of steps...here you go:

#1 Join the troupe and practice
#2 Once leagues begin, join them too
#3 As your skill builds, you will be given more duties at our events
#4 When the other instructors notice you are ready, they will approach the Head Instructor
#5 The Head Instructor will teach you how to teach others
(this is more challenging than learning how to throw yourself)
#6 When you can accurately and consistantly diagnose throwing errors and make encouraging suggestions and help the student improve you will be invited to teach at an event.
#7 If you and the all the instructors are satisfied with how you did at an event you will be given the title of instructor.

You can also pursue a role as a Demonstrator only. This can be done only with intense practice and learning, copying and then creating at least one of your own "trick" throws.

#1 - Check back soon for information on joining the troupe. You will find a tab on the Main page that gives you directions, membership fees (it's okay, they won't be expensive), and list what you get out of it.

#2 - Sign up at one of our events to be contacted

We are putting together some info and diagrams for this. We appreciate your patience. Please check back.

The best way to learn is under direct supervision of someone who already knows how.

ALWAYS KEEP SAFETY FIRST!
NEVER. NEVER. NEVER THROW AT OR IN THE DIRECTION OF A LIVING TARGET - PEOPLE OR ANIMALS!!!

AND ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT IS BEHIND YOUR TARGET.

Yes, some performers throw at live assistants. We, however, discourage this practice as people tend to try and copy what they see done. So we never throw at living targets in our demos.

Are we good enough to do a "near miss?" Yes. Can we turn back time if there is an accident? NO.

You get the idea.

If you ever do see a successful demonstration including a living target (hopefully by a very highly trained professional), by all means applaud the skills involved. But please, please never try to do this yourself. This type of skills take many years to attain. What you don't know is that there are always many accidents and injuries as well.

Please contact us via our contact page or call Founder/Head Knife Instructor Jonathan Winski at 920-568-2845.

We will tailor our demo to your needs; as large or small as your would like. All demo or all instruction, half and half, etc. Travel must be calculated in some cases and any customization must be figured into our fee.

Community Help

Our trademark at public demonstration is to help you set up a fund raiser at the show for a member / cause in the community that may be in need of some help. Please ask Jonathan how we can do this for you.

Please check back soon as we are creating a list of retailers that we have had good experiences with. There are no guarantees of course, nor do we recommend one more than another.

Also, David is considering selling axes to those interested and will be taking orders in the future at our demonstrations.

Check the Upcoming Events tab