An Overview of Dart Types

Each player should have a set of three darts. Sharing a set of darts between players is not recommended since not only does this slow down the speed of the game, but the correct size will also vary from player to player.  The dart is made up of 4 basic parts - the barrel, the shaft, the tip and the flight.

The body of the dart is known as the barrel (or knurl) and is where the player will grip the dart when throwing. Its composite material determines the density and weight of the dart. Although specific weight is not a pre-requisite for many recreational players, for the more serious player, this is vitally important. There are two main types of darts, depending on what type of board will be used. Steel tip darts, which usually weigh between 18-26 grams, are used on natural rope or bristle boards. Soft tip darts, which weigh 14-20 grams, are used on electronic dart boards.

Brass or copper darts are usually the least expensive type. Since these are fairly light metals, they tend to be larger in order to achieve the desired weight. The metals are also relatively malleable over time, which results in the wearing down of the grip and subsequently changes the feel of the dart. Being mass-produced, there can be discrepancies in their quality and consistency. These darts would be recommended for beginners only and range from $4-$16.

Nickel or silver darts are again, relatively inexpensive. However, they tend be more hardwearing than brass or copper ones, with the barrel grip lasting longer. These type of darts are recommended for a budget conscious player, who also wants a longer lasting dart. Prices range from $12-$35.

Tungsten darts are the choice of the more seasoned player. Tungsten is a very dense metal, which allows the darts to be a slimmer design whist still retaining the optimum weight. Tungsten is also very hardwearing, resulting in the grip lasting for much longer than the other types of metals. The prices of tungsten darts vary considerably, depending on the percentage of tungsten used in their manufacture. Expect to pay anywhere from $15 to as high as $185 for tournament standard darts.

The shaft is the part of the dart behind the barrel, which holds the flight. There are 4 main types of shafts: plastic, composite, aluminum and spinning. Plastic shafts, usually manufactured from polycarbonate or nylon, are the cheapest available ($1 -$2) and tend to break fairly frequently. Composite shafts have a plastic base which threads into the dart, in addition to a metal top, which holds the flight. Composites are usually fairly durable and do not become lose as easily as aluminum shafts. Expect to pay $2-$3. Aluminum shafts are very durable and are usually priced at around $3-$6. However, they do tend to become lose, especially when you are playing with heavier darts. Spinning shafts allow the flight to turn freely when struck by another dart. Although no advantage is gained in terms of the dart’s flight through the air, they do allow more darts to be thrown in a tighter area. The prices vary from $2-$12.

The tip, or point is the part of the dart that actually sticks into the board. There are two main types, either steel or soft top. Steel tips are designed for playing on bristle dart boards, whereas soft tips are for electronic boards. The tips are available in a variety of different sizes depending on the player’s preference and some steel tip darts are even retractable, which helps reduce bounce-outs.

The flight (or feathers) of the dart provides its aerodynamic qualities. By causing drag, it helps keep a constant trajectory towards the target. A heavier dart will usually need a larger flight, whilst lighter darts can use slimmer flights. This provides the player the advantage of tighter placement.