Hello! First off been looking around a long time for some sort of quality place to ask questions and receive information and it looks like I finally found it

So recently (2 months) I decided to pick up the art of knife throwing not just as a circus act but eventually to have it evolve into a mastery (years to do I am aware). The problem thus far for me since I have no teacher, just books and other text, is that often times I get conflicting information. So not wanting to practice INCORRECTLY and thus prolonging or completely halting my final goal I was hoping some people here might be able to shed some light for me.

Currently my largest issue is RELEASE. Knowing when to release is, from what I have experienced, 90% of the success. Up until recently I have been releasing "just before the end of the stroke" to quote a book by Michael E Peters. Problem is, now I find lots of sources saying the release should be when your arm (try to picture if you can) is in a forward motion and the blade point (if holding by handle) is pointing skyward. More or less a right degree angle.

The way I interpret these 2 things is totally different. I would deeply appreciate any assistance you can provide. This is something important to me and I do not want to teach myself incorrect form as a foundation.

Thanks Again

P.S.
If there are any dedicated forums or places for knife throwing and teaching/training anyone has heard of I would be very happy to learn about them.

Knife throwing is pretty fun! I was running champion in our guard unit for 3yrs(just because everyone else sucked!).
I never had any instruction and my knowledge of proper form for release or anything else is nill.
I just did it alot until I could stick it.( stop it pervert!
One thing I do know is the quality of the knife matters,it must be perfectly balanced and made for throwing. I like to throw axes and hatchets too!!!
Sorry I couldn't help,but I find it very interesting.

There is a small book called the 'Panandata guide to knife throwing' that discusses how to adjust the release point in relation to the balance point of the blade you are throwing. Its a nice text, and helps give you a good chance of success.
As Brian said, a knife designed for throwing is the best tool for the job- they have better balance, and tend to be of solid construction- no handles to go 'wobbly' when you inevitably flat-slap the target for the 80th time

Relax, and throw from the whole body, not just the arm, same as with a strike, keep to the same knife, at the same range and with the same throwing motion. Dont keep changing the conditions or you will never stand a chance.

If its any consolation, its very tricky to do, and I am rubbish at it, even with the books and the theory in place.

It's easy. For knives you keep your wrist straight and shoot the knife straight out. You could do this by starting with your hand over your shoulder with your elbow sticking straight out, bring your forearm down and let go as soon as your arm and wrist is completely straight and properly aimed at the target. You can use a similar method to throw from your side by starting out with your hand over your stomach and your elbow sticking straight out to the left. You can also throw it from the other side by holding your right arm out to the right and while keeping the arm straight swing it to the left. Believe it or not I had this stupid shinobi book but showed the various ways to throw rather well. It was called "Tiger Scroll of the Koga Ninja". I still suck at aiming however I have the basic idea down from the mehtods I mentioned above. Do a search for kunai katas or shurikenjutsu too as there is a little bit of stuff out there on shurikenjustu (shuri=flying/throwing, ken=sword/knife, justsu=technique).