Empowering and instilling confidence in women through the sport of knife throwing
WWK League Target and Range Building Resources
Choose One of The Three Ways to Create a Target Surface
You Will Need Three Targets
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The ideal targets are cotton wood or another soft wood log round at least 20” (50.8 cm) in diameter. Try to find ones without knots, with no bark or occlusions in the scoring area. You could reach out to a local tree cutting service to find some in your area, check marketplace, or watch for downed trees!
You can find them for sale at https://ljtargets.com/, on Etsy, Amazon, and by other retailers. Those can be pricey but easy options.
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When rounds are not available, the next best thing is an end grain target built out of 4x4’s or 2x4’s. You may be able to get scrap pieces from a local builder or marketplace if lumber prices are high.
Click below for step by step instructions created by John “Paco” Huerta
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ohvqZw0bnugFojORiHbc7o7M-nI8vpZk/view?usp=sharing
Click below for a video tutorial on how to build one by Kimberly Mitchel aka the Bladed Broad. https://youtu.be/zmzBNpEL6k0?si=F2v9F-mlJrWg25k5
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If the above options are not available to you, use a flat piece of wood or bar stool rounds. These are tougher to stick in and won't last as long as a log round but are a cheaper and more accessible option. You can purchase both boards and bar stool rounds from your local hardware store.
Choose a Way to Create Your Stencil For The Face of The Target
There are many ways you can create the face of your target. Pick up some cheap paint, spray paint, or use what you have left over from your last project. The color only matters to you. We only require it contrasts enough to clearly score your throws. Both Blade Aces and the former IKTHOF (Prior to 2026) target specs are acceptable for WWK league.
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You can purchase a stencil in both formats from vendors like M3 Simply Magic. https://m3simplymagic.myshopify.com/products/folding-target-stencils
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You can hand draw and/or cut your own target stencils.
For the IKTHOF (prior to 2026) octagon target, the above linked tutorial created by John “Paco” Huerta has detailed instructions on creating a template in this format.
For the Blade Aces round target, they are to be painted with 5 concentric rings, measuring 3.94”, 7.87”, 11.81”,15.75” and 19.69” (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 cm). If crosshair lines are used, they must be .6” (1.5cm) or smaller in width.
Choose a Location For Your Range
You will need a large space for each lane between 6’ 6.74” (2M) and 9’10.11” (3M) wide by 16’ 4.85” (5M) to 19’ 8.22” (6M) long. You want to consider our league throws in the winter and you will want a covered space if throwing in a colder climate.
The entire range must have an adequate safety barrier around it. You will need a sturdy backstop and hard floors covered with wood, rubber mats, or old carpet to stop knives that miss the target. Protect your knives from any concrete or hard surfaces. Concrete will break the tips of them! Think of ricochets and cover all the surfaces that may get damaged. Also consider the ceiling if throwing indoors. You may want to purchase cages for your lights to protect them which can be found on Amazon or your local hardware store.
Each lane must have the foul lines for all your team’s ranks clearly marked. You can use spray paint, tape. ropes, lasers, or anything else that clearly shows the foul line.
Novice - foul lines: 6’ 6.74” (2M), 9’ 10.11” (3M), 13’ 1.48” (4M), 16’ 4.85’ (5M)
Amateur - foul lines: 6’ 6.74” (2M), 9’ 10.11” (3M), 13’ 1.48” (4M), 16’ 4.85’ (5M)
Professional - foul lines: 9’ 10.11” (3M), 13’ 1.48” (4M), 16’ 4.85’ (5M), 19’ 8.22” (6M)
You will hang your targets in a V pattern measured from the center of the target to the ground.
Blade Aces:
Left & Right Targets: 4’ 11.05” (1.5M)
Middle Target: 4’ 1.21” (1.25M)
IKTHOF (Prior to 2026):
Left & Right Targets: 5’ (1.52M)
Middle Target: 4’ 2” (1.27M)
There are several ways to hang your targets and as long as they are secure there is no wrong way to do it but we find a french cleat is the easiest to use.
You can purchase them online at shops like below or amazon.
You can also cut your own by tilting your table saw blade to 45 degrees and ripping a 2x4 down the middle to create two matching interlocking 45-degree bevels. You then place the bottom one on the wall and the other on your target.
Below is a tutorial on how to do it by Anika's DIY Life.
https://youtu.be/fMEReDtwsi0?si=6eMSo9pzIgzvcLUl
Sometimes if your target is large you will need to wedge a board behind the lower or upper portions to keep it from rocking when hit with a knife.
To keep your log rounds or end grain targets good for the season, make sure you often spray them down. Dried out targets get eaten up quickly. You can also flip your targets halfway through the season to get more use out of them.
We have a mentor team available to members who can answer all your range building questions and help you decide what might work best for you. Feel free to reach out to womenknifethrowers@gmail.com or reach out to them directly on social media.
