Returning boomerangs were used only in a few regions of Australia, historically, and were made in a range of weights and types. Some were large, made from hard wood, and could cause minor injury if one was struck by them. Some were very light in weight, made from mangrove or bark, and could not cause injury. Those were used for sport and amusement only, and to train the youth safely.

Heavier returning boomerangs could be used in warfare as a means of distraction, to scatter a crowd and to strike an enemy from behind and keep them distracted from the main assault from the front. When used in combination with straight flying boomerangs and spear throwers, they provided tactical and psychological advantages, even if the strike from one was relatively benign due to the low weight requirements of such sticks. To compensate for this the edges were frequently fairly sharp and fine, and could cause cuts. All returning sticks of the two arm variety came back with much less force than they went out. The point of the returning flight was not so much to catch the stick but to allow it to safely drop near the thrower for a second throw. Until a target is struck, a returning boomerang allows itself to be repeatedly deployed.

In most of Australia straight flying sticks similar the ones we make here at Throwsticks.com, were the dominant form of boomerang. They were used for hunting and warfare, to deliver hard and direct blows. They were much heavier than returning sticks. They sometimes had pointed ends as well and could be quite hefty to throw. Straight flying sticks could be deployed straight at an enemy force, in volleys if desired, and if space was limited and distractions large enough, dodging out of the way would not be easy.

Yet not all "straight flying" sticks flew straight and hence the popular and ironic sounding term "non returning boomerang." For hunting, a straight flight is an advantage since most game is not afraid of flying sticks. Yet for an enemy opponent, a straight flying stick is more predictable and easier to dodge than one which flies in unpredictable curved patterns. Many Aboriginal sticks did not fly completely straight, and for warfare this was possibly an advantage. This is also true of the Indian Valari, which was frequently made from steel and probably featured curved flight patterns in many cases. I theorize that these were best thrown up into the sky to fall back down upon the enemy from the flank. It was such a powerful weapon in the hands of the Tamil warriors that it was banned by the British in 1801. Like gun control, this was throwstick control....

It is important to differentiate between modern sport boomerangs and the Aboriginal and Indian weapons of the past, as well as the modern straight flying sticks we make here which are based on those original weapons. Modern sport boomerangs are not weapons, whether they be small straight flying varieties used to play "kylie golf", or those that return and are used in the various competitions held by the international sport boomerang community.

Any large, heavy or pointy straight flying stick is clearly very dangerous and should be treated with proper respect. From day one our business has required all purchases to be accompanied by a safety warning and for the buyers to be at least 18 years of age and agree to the terms and conditions of sale, including our extensive safety warning. We are very conscientious to prevent injury from ocurring and to assist and coach our customers to use our products with the same care and respect they would with a modern bow or other weapon.