Knife throwing target designs can vary drasticly from league to league. Here’s a brief overview of the target styles used by some of the more popular knifef throwing leagues:
World Knife Throwing League (WKTL):
WKTL targets feature a bullseye and concentric rings, each with specific point values. The killshots are small blue dots in the outermost rigns and they are worth the highest points but only available twice per game. The red center bullseye is worth the most points after that, decreasing with each outer ring. The biggest difference between the and other knife leagues is the fact they’re thrown on boards (typically made of poplar or cottonwood) and emphasizes standardized target design to ensure consistency across competitions as well ass ease of material access for throwing venues.
You can find out all the specifics of WKTL’s target designs here.
International Knife Throwers Hall of Fame (IKTHOF):
IKTHOF uses three octagonal targets with a 4-inch (10.16 cm) bullseye, surrounded by 2-inch (5.08 cm) wide concentric rings. Scoring starts at 5 points for the bullseye, decreasing by one point for each outer ring. Three standard targets are required per lane, mounted at varying heights: 60 inches (152 cm), 50 inches (127 cm), and 60 inches (152 cm) from the ground to the bullseye center. These are typically made with frames of blocks which are similar to end-grain targets but can be built a bit more standardized. This works with their system of throwing at many different distances on multiple targets. You can read more about their specifications here.
EuroThrowers (European Throwing Club “Flying Blades”):
EuroThrowers’ targets consist of a central bullseye and surrounding rings, with specific dimensions and point allocations. The targets are mounted log ends and feature a round target design like a mixture of IKTHOF and WKTL. , and the organization provides detailed rules to ensure uniformity in competitions across Europe.
While all three organizations share the common goal of promoting knife throwing, their target designs and specifications reflect regional preferences and standards. Understanding these differences is essential for throwers participating in international competitions.
