All of this tuning and throwing advice holds true for any store-bought boomerang. Bear in mind that tuning a rigid wood or hard plastic boomerang might require heating the boomerang gently over a candle or low gas flame, adjusting the attack or dihedral to your liking, and then holding the wing under cold running water to “fix the tune.”

A heavier boomerang is going to have quite a bit of momentum on its return flight, especially if it climbs high, which will result in a very fast, steep return. The rigid edge of a wood or plastic boomerang can make a mess of eyes, teeth, or soft mucous membranes. Thus, always wear pants when playing with a boomerang, and if you think you aren’t going to make a catch—especially if the boomerang climbs high—then cover your eyes with your palms (which naturally results in the wrists shielding your nose and mouth) and turn away fast.