Branton - The ultimate guide to knife throwing : master the sport of knife and tomahawk throwing

Copyright 2015 by Bobby Branton

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Rich Rossiter

Cover photo credit: Bobby Branton

Print ISBN: 978-1-63220-530-8

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-63220-912-2

Printed in China

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A CKNOWLEDGMENTS

I first would like to dedicate this book to my Mom who always believed in me and stood by me my whole life. To my loving wife, BrendaI am very grateful to have such a great wife who has supported me and all of my wild entrepreneurial endeavors over the past thirty-three years that we have been together. Some worked, some didnt, but she was by my side the whole time telling me to keep trying and that she knew I could do whatever I set my mind to. She has been my biggest supporter, my greatest fan, and my best friend from day one.

I also would like to thank my good friends, Stephen D. McEvoy and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Pierce (Che Che and Nancy). And a special thanks to Ralph Thorn and Tim Valentine for their insight and contributions that helped make this book a reality. Stephen has stood by me from day one when I asked if I could bring back the AKTA (American Knife Throwers Alliance). Stephens friendship means the world to me.

Che Che and Nancy have been friends to Brenda and I for many years and they have been huge supporters of the AKTA. Brenda and I love you both.

To my friend Larry Brahms, who has never given up on mewho has helped me go over Hollywood contracts, given me business advice, given me life advice, and who checked on me every night while this insecure author and knifemaker made his first trip out of the country to work a film in Mexico City. Larry, you are the best friend ever.

I also want to thank all of the friends and customers who have supported Branton Knives and The American Knife Throwers Alliance. The greatest compliment that a craftsman can receive is to have hard working people pull their hard earned money out of their pockets to buy my knives. For this, I am truly humbled.

Bobby Branton

Branton in motion

A BOUT THE A UTHOR

As a young man growing up in rural South Carolina, Bobby Branton developed a passion for knives that has stayed with him throughout his adult life. In his younger years, knives were tools used for skinning game, filleting fish, and throwing as a means of entertainment. Then in 1983, edged weapons took a different perspective in Brantons life when he discovered some custom knives in a local shop. He was amazed at the beauty and craftsmanship of these handcrafted blades and started his own collection. His interest grew so readily that he read every book he could locate on the subject and decided to try his hand at knife making.

After constant reading, research, and collecting of knives, Branton reconstructed his shop in order to create these treasured handcrafted knives. Through his research he discovered one common factor, a man named George Herron. He was a master craftsman who had a seven-year wait for his custom knives. Mr. Herron soon befriended Branton and a close bond formed between the two craftsman. Branton purchased knives from him while gaining much advice and valuable pointers.

Branton makes his working knives by the Stock Removal Method and by hand forging various metals. His style has obviously been influenced by George Herron and Walter Brend along with forging techniques from well-known Master Bladesmith, James Crowell.

Branton has become an expert knifemaker and was awarded his Journeyman Bladesmith stamp at the 1992 Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia by the American Bladesmith Society. Branton met legendary blademaker Harry K. McEvoy in 1987. McEvoy taught Branton the fine art of handcrafting throwing knives; he also helped design Brantons first series of throwing knives. Branton has since designed several models of throwing knives that have been used to win major knife-throwing competitions across the country.

Another turning point in his career was when Branton met knife-throwing legends Paul LaCross and Kenneth Pierce (Che Che Whitecloud). LaCross was billed as The Worlds Foremost Knife, Axe, and Tomahawk Thrower. It was Paul who taught and motivated Branton to put together a throwing exhibition which he performs throughout the Southeast.

LaCross retired in 1990 due to health reasons and passed away in 1992. In 1996 with the help of Stephen McEvoy, Kenneth Pierce and his wife Nancy, and a few close friends, Branton was instrumental in reorganizing the American Knife Throwers Alliance and held what has been arguably the first knife- and tomahawk-throwing-only contest in over twenty years.

He has assisted numerous individuals in starting knife-throwing contests around the world. During some contests Kenneth Pierce still comes down to visit Branton and his wife Brenda once a year to assist in preparations for the American Knife Throwers Alliance National Championships and is one of the clubs biggest supporters.

Branton has been promoting the art of knife throwing by giving seminars on the subject since 1996. Also, in 1996 Branton was awarded the South Carolina State Folk Heritage Award for the work in bladesmithing and for preserving the traditions of South Carolina. While promoting knife throwing to the general public, Branton has taught thousands of Boy Scouts and even a number of Army Rangers as well as few celebrities the fine art of knife throwing.

Over the years Brantons knives have been featured in most of the annual publications about knives and he and his work have been featured in other publications such as Knife World, Blade magazine, Tactical Knives, Knives Illustrated , and South Carolina Wildlife .

Branton has handcrafted knives for such greats as Paul Lacross; Che Che Whitecloud, who is billed as The Fastest Knife Thrower in the World; knife-throwing great Larry Cisewski; former governor of South Carolina, Carroll Campbell; and the former governor of Texas, George W. Bush, who has gone on to be president of the United States.

Brantons knives are sold and exhibited all over the world with avid consumers in England, Germany, France, Israel, Australia, Japan, and Canada. One of Brantons throwing knives now resides in the world famous Randall knife museum in Orlando, Florida.