Throwing Knife Target(s)

classklown · Mar 7, 2014

Hoping I can get some ideas from the group here. I am graduating from the basement and I am looking to build/acquire an outdoor target and I was thinking of all these beautiful log sections I see people throwing at on YouTube. I was wondering if anyone has a setup like this and is so then where did you get the raw lumber. I do not have access to a chainsaw.

I have plans to build something that that will use replaceable planks as the target base, but if I could get my hands on a couple of those loge section that might be better...

Thanks to all

zzyzzogeton · Mar 7, 2014

Depending on where you are, the sources of getting the log sections vary. You might check with your local tree trimming services. They frequently have to take out fallen or dangerously leaning trees. You may be able to get a section or 2 through them.

As you mentioned, targets can be made using short 2x4, 4x4 or 2x6 pieces mounted together to make a butcher-block table like assembly that can be mounted so that you throw into the end grain of the wood pieces.

Here's one using 4x4s assembled vertically... knives don't stick in as easily or as well side grain like this, but it works

Here's a pic showing one type of frame work stand for holding a log segment

And lastly, here is a compressed cardboard arrangement, similar to how I've made archery targets in the past...

Windwhistler · Mar 8, 2014

I think I have more than 20 target rounds now. I have a chain saw and occasionally freshen them up by cutting off an end. But all of them have started out laying on the road right-of-way somewhere in our city or county after a tree fell. The utility people cut them down or cut them up. They are lying at the road in a trash pile. At that point they are fair game. If I need targets, I drive around town once and always find a few to stop and throw in my pick-up truck. Sometimes if I drive to the next town I will find some along the 20 miles of state road 83 nearby. I usually get these in sections about 3 feet long because that is what the trash pick-up people tell them to cut. These make good posts to throw at. They may be stood up around the throwing area for small tables to lay stuff on when throwing. They are too short to hurt you if they should fall over somehow. They may be made into rounds or just laid down sideways across one another and a dot painted on the end. I look for 12" diameter to about 20" diameter. These are easy to hit and easy to move from place to place.

Windwhistler · Mar 8, 2014

You can also find thrown away stuff like this old garden bench, turned part of a wedding arch, turned 2" thick target leaning on a driven in metal fence post. I found it in a trash pile on my morning walk and actually drove back to pick it up an hour later. They had a wedding and just threw everything out afterward. Again, it was on the road right-of-way. Fair game!

Windwhistler · Mar 8, 2014

One other really nice and cheap solution is to find a wooden palette (usually oak around here) that has been discarded and screw some 2" thick pine boards to one side, side by side and flush. Put the screws through pre-drilled holes from the back. You can stand this anywhere, move it around, use a rope to suspend it at any height and it will give you about 3'X3" of target surface. When it wears out just lay more boards on top and screw them over the ones you have. People throw them in the trash around here every day. Our local thrift store alone gets groceries on palettes every morning and throws half of them out. If one board is loose or missing they go to the curb.

classklown · Mar 8, 2014

Thanks all for the replies...

My end game will probably be in-built to my back fence. I already have 4x4s in concrete so attaching a structure to hold the target will be easy. Just waiting for warmer weather. The ideas here will hopefully give me some variety to my throwing. I really appreciate the input.

Rat Finkenstein · Mar 8, 2014

end grain and no exposed fasteners.

Windwhistler · Mar 10, 2014

I was messing around out in the woods behind my house today and found a pile of pressure treated 2X8 boards 12' long that had been back there covered with pine straw and dirt for over 20 years. This stuff doesn't rot apparently because we've lived here for 20 years and it obviously predated us! Someone had gone to the trouble to pull out all the nails and I have no idea what they took apart. Anyway, I dragged four of them up to the drive way and am planning to attach them to palettes tomorrow. Two new 3'X3' targets a shade more than 2" thick and just wet and soft enough to make good target faces. Replacements!