A VATO comprises a blade, a handle, a stabilizing assembly, and a spherical weight. In a preferred embodiment, the spherical weight makes up a significant portion of the overall weight of the VATO. The spherical weight is positioned between the blade and the handle, and the stabilizing assembly is attached to a rear portion of the handle. When the VATO is thrown, a velocity vector is established in the direction of the trajectory of the VATO. The stabilizing assembly produces aerodynamic drag which assists in keeping the blade oriented in a forward position with respect to the trajectory of the VATO. The spherical weight is permitted to freely rotate thereby enabling the blade, the handle and the stabilizing assembly to independently rotate into alignment with the trajectory of the VATO such that the blade is in a forward position as the VATO strikes a target.