Are throwing knives even legally considered knives? (Assuming that they are only sharp at the end, kind of like a nail or needle)

Yes. They are objects – usually of metal – that are sharpened along at least one edge for some distance down their length, and have some kind of non-sharpened portion that serves as a handle. So they fit the definition of a knife.
Many throwing knives resemble typical knives. This set is styled after the Bowie Knife but these knives are designed to be thrown. They might also make useful knives for self-defense or preparing food.

Some throwing knives very much look the part and don’t have much use except for throwing – these are the kind I prefer.

Really, you can throw just about any knife. The main reason for a purpose-built throwing knife is that throwing subjects knives to extreme abuse. Knives frequently hit other knives that are stuck in the target and knives often bounce off the target and wind up in the dirt. Also, purpose-made throwing knives are balanced and weighted for optimum range and accuracy so they’re usually thicker and typically don’t have scales (wood, bone or plastic covering the handles to improve grip), or minimal scales.
Throwing knives don’t necessarily have an even weight distribution along their length. They tend to be are also heavier in the front, so they will stick reliably; consider tomahawks are extremely unbalanced and throw very well because most of their weight is in the top and front. A a knife that was heavier in the back wouldn’t throw well at all, so folding knives don’t throw well.
You could throw kitchen knives but they’re usually not heavy enough to fly straight or stick well and you’d destroy them in short order. Throwing knives are designed to take the abuse.
A good throwing knife will weigh at least one ounce per inch of length and I don’t throw anything less than 10 inches. If the knife is too light, it won’t have enough inertia to reliably stick in the target, although lighter throwing knives are easier on the arm and shoulder to throw repeatedly.

Wanbasion Black Stainless Steel Knife Set, Sharp Kitchen Knife

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