by WE4PONXYZ » Wed Aug 31, 2022 10:03 am
Bo-Shurikens / Throwing Spikes Any rod shaped hard tool steel will do and here’s some household items that can be used to make them. - Broken screwdrivers - Hardened (grade 5 or 8) bolts - ¼ 4-6mm masonry Bits (awesome) - Leaf springs from cars - The rods from old shock absorbers - Engine lifter rods (these are just about perfect) - Metal-cutting files and woodworking rasps. The basic throwing spike is about 6” long and from 1/4” to 1/2” in diameter. Thicker spikes are heavier, requiring more strength to throw. At the same time, they have more momentum when they hit, so are likely to do more damage. Ideally you want the point/taper to be about 2” long, which allows it to be sharper and penetrate deeper. The thicker the material used the longer the point will need to be in order to have the same angle. You can make them longer for bigger hands but wouldn’t suggest exceeding 12” and 6” is perfect for concealability. I carry a set of 3 - 6” long ¼” wide (purchased) currently, not all the time but quite often. Would carry them more if the sheath didn’t suck, I want kydex or 3D printed one! I’ve owned over 5-6 sets of throwing spikes since I was about 13 and used to compete in knife throwing contests and won a few awards. Ranging from bought to homemade to forged and done custom in a shop for me on a laithe > (big fat torpedos double sided they were heavy ½ inch diam and 8” long set of 4). Not a weapon super efficient in killing as Hollywood would have you believe although they can. Mainly meant to disable, wound and make them think twice about continuing. Great for creating distance between you and an attacker, to allow you to get away. And hey if ya got a good aim or happen to get lucky and hit some soft stuff- throat, armpit etc. you can cause some serious damage and blood loss. I prefer single tip with a round butt so can also use as ice picks in a CQB situation. If you carry multiple they can have other various tactical implements such as but not limited to; wedges/shims for door breaching or blockage, trail markers, glass breakers, make shift tent spikes for temporary cover with a tarp, driven and lashed into the end of a long pole or stick to make a spear for fishing etc. etc. etc. Tails create drag and can get caught on clothing etc and wraps can slip off the handles and effect balance points soo I prefer to mark my spikes shafts with red paint stripes to make them easier to retrieve. Here’s also a great write up on survivopedia about throwing spikes that I pulled some of my information from and added a lot of my own. https://www.survivopedia.com/diy-surviv ... ng-spikes/ Video for the masonry bit spikes, nasty, nasty!!! https://youtu.be/Xt5JjzdXWkU
And if you’ve ever wanted to get into knife/blade throwing and aren’t sure where to start or the different techniques; full spin, half spin, and no spin etc. check out Adam Celadin on YouTube he’s a 5 times world champion knife thrower and has several how to videos. Even after 25+ yrs of throwing I still learn things from him, check out some of his long range throws they are absolutely crazy!!! Here’s one for fun (.50 BMG Bo-Shurikens) https://youtu.be/I1FetLV9bdc
I made some of these back in the day from 6” x 2-gauge Nails which worked GREAT and already come pointed on end and flat at other.