Angle Of Release (AOR)
The angle of release (AOR) makes a large difference
also. If you release the blade when it is in line with your arm and pointed more
at the target, it will rotate slower. This may seem backward since the knife
will already be part way through the rotation. However, releasing it at this
angle will make it take longer for it to clear your hand, thus giving the choke
more effect (Fig 6).
Fig. 6
A much more tilted release angle (Fig 7) will produce a faster spin because the knife will clear the hand faster and end up with less counter momentum than if it was straight. The amount of choke will have much less effect as the amount of time the hand is still pushing on the blade as it is clearing will be less. Because of this, the energy to counter the forward rotation will be less, allowing more rotation.
Fig. 7
There are basically three positions for the angle of release. One is in line, pointed at the target. The next is as far up as your hand will go. The last is midway between the two. Getting much more specific then this is not necessary for what we are doing.
All of these things together can dramatically change the rotation speed of the blade as it travels. Used together, you can modify the rotational speed to strike true from 15 foot back, yet still strike true at 5 foot back. Standing back while throwing with a choke halfway up the blade, using a long arc, and a straight angle of release will stick just the same as a much closer throw with a small more circular arc, more angled release, and much less choke.