1. The barrel’s material
The dart’s barrel should match the player's throwing style. It represents the core part of the dart, the one you are touching when you grip it. Darts barrels come in hundreds of different designs, but in terms of their material, there are only a few types to choose from, the most important ones being brass and tungsten.
These two materials vary significantly as they have different properties, therefore, it comes as no surprise that their prices are also different. Tungsten is the king of darts barrels. It is very durable and very dense, which means that the barrels made from this material are significantly smaller than those made of other types of metal. For this reason, they are considered a top choice as they allow more darts to be grouped in the same area of the dartboard, which increases the chances to score.
Tungsten is usually the choice of professional and long-term dart players due to its properties and performance. However, it is more expensive than brass, which is why many beginners usually start experimenting with the latter. Brass is, in fact, ideal for novice and not only because it costs less. Barrels made of this material are bigger and allow you to feel more confident when you grip them and also to experiment with different types of grip, which is essential in order to discover the style that fits you best.
Other materials you can come across when selecting your darts include nickel, which is fairly durable as well, and different alloys containing brass and chrome, for example.
2. The darts’ weight
Weight is another factor that will play an important role in how you hold, throw and score. It goes hand in hand with the material the dart is made of, which is mainly influenced by the type of barrel you’re using. Since darts is so popular these days, most manufacturers provide quite detailed product descriptions that also include the overall weight of the dart. We also do the same with the products we list in our catalog because we know how important the dart’s weight can be.
To get a general picture of what you may come across, keep in mind that darts can vary in weight and have anywhere between 16 and 26 grams. You will find the weight specified o most darts sets, so choosing the right ones will come easy after you discover what weight is ideal for your skills.
Generally, the heavier a dart is, the straighter its trajectory will be. This means you can gain more accuracy with heavier darts, reason why they are much appreciated by advanced players. Beginner players, however, usually do better with lighter darts because their precision is not very well defined yet and their trajectory is usually a curved one.
3. The overall length of the dart
When it comes to the dart’s length, it goes without saying that this also has a lot to do with personal preference. Based on the size of your palm and how comfortable you feel with a certain dart length, you might be more tempted to choose short or long darts. Your grip is also important because someone who holds the dart using more fingers will probably prefer a longer dart as compared to someone who only uses 3 or even 2 fingers.
Long barrels are usually considered more practical from this perspective because they allow you to hold the dart with more fingers and feel more confident while doing so. On the other hand, if you’re an advanced player who has already gotten used to a certain grip, you might not need a lot of space, which enables you to use shorter darts successfully.
4. The best grip for your style
As previously mentioned, the barrel is the part of the dart you’re gripping. Therefore, you should consider this element wisely before making a purchase. Different barrel styles offer different types of grip and they are purposefully designed in order to do so. Some dart barrels feel smooth to the touch because their surface is plain and shiny and has no extra elements. Others are carefully knurled to offer a firm grip, which is something you might be looking for especially if you are a beginner or medium-level player.
Barrels that highlight their grip through a particular texture featuring grooves, bumps, or ridges are easier to grab, therefore, they are recommended for players who are new at darts. These barrels will help you hold and throw the dart with more confidence and prevent it from slipping from your hand.
As you can see, choosing the right darts involves careful analysis. However, by taking into account the four main factors we described above, you’ll be able to make the right decision. Stay tuned for more interesting facts from the world of darts and don’t forget we can also help you with sturdy and reliable darts sets.
*updated August 2022
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