(From someone who actually throws knives!)
Something that has always bothered me while reading is scenes where a character throws knives, but it’s clear the author doesn’t actually know how they work.
I’m going to be frank, throwing knives (and other small weapons) won’t do as much damage as you think they will. Sure, they are sharp and up close will definitely hurt, but in reality, they aren’t that dangerous and they are hard to use.
First off, the character using them has to be really good (and I mean REALLY good) in order for the knives to damage. It helps if they are throwing close range because then there’s a higher chance that it will hit a moving target. And when throwing close range there is often more control and power behind the throw.
Second, if they are throwing at a distance they have to be good enough to hit the target in soft and small places in order to injure the opponent. This includes the eyes and neck. Otherwise the knife will do barely any damage especially if the opponent is wearing thick or padded clothes.
Third, throwing knives can make you really sore or can injure you, the thrower. Soreness is caused by overusing muscles you don’t usually use or using them in an odd way. If the character has taken a break (any where from a couple weeks to a year) and then jumped back into throwing knives, their throwing arm is going to be really sore the next day. Same with the legs! When throwing leg movement is important and bending your knees can be helpful to some people. So those would be sore afterwards as well. Not to mention soreness caused by overextending an arm or leg or twisting it a weird way. This happens when throwing to fast. Really it can happen when you do anything but is more likely to happen when you are working out. If your character throws too fast and messes up or twists their arm weird, it won’t go away immediately. It will take a day or two. Sometimes the injury will come back. One time I hurt my arm by over extending it and for weeks after I had to be careful when using it and stretching it in fear the soreness would come back for another day.
Fourth, you cannot just throw any knife or dagger. It doesn’t work that way. Throwing knives are weighted and have a balancing point. They are specifically created to fly through the air. Other knives and dagger would clatter to the ground useless because they aren’t aerodynamic. Throwing knives also come in different lengths, shapes, and weights. If your character is a beginner they are more likely to use heavier knives (as recommended) but they might end up preferring more thin and lightweight knives.
Throwing stars (shuriken)
I’m adding these too, because why not? Throwing stars are more lightweight (usually) and are thrown by holding onto them with your fingers (knives can be thrown by fingers but most people throw with their whole hand, there is no official correct way to throw them). They are easier to stick (hit the target and impale it) because they have more blades. I would consider them better to use in a long distance fight or any fight in general.
Axes are easier to throw without them being specifically created for throwing purposes, but throwing axes are ideal for your character if you want them to constantly throw the axes. They are lighter and aerodynamic than normal axes and most are smaller in comparison.
