Metal

One of the most important factors when buying darts is what the barrel is made of. While brass is a common material, it is soft, which means that the grip will wear down over time. Nickel is a good, low cost alternative, but professional quality darts are most often made from tungsten. As tungsten is so heavy, darts containing high proportions of it can be slimmer, allowing them to cluster more tightly on the board.

Weight

The weight of a dart is largely a matter of personal choice. Most professional players use weights around 22g, but some prefer ones much lighter or heavier. Ted Hankey’s are apparently 14g, while Phil Taylor’s are 26g. Some players use darts up to 30g or more. The best advice is to try a number of different darts and see which suits your style.

Shafts and flights

The length of the shaft, and shape and size of flight on the darts will affect the angle they end up in the board. A longer shaft tilts the weight towards the back of the dart, so it is more likely to be tilting upwards as it hits the target, while the opposite is true for a shorter shaft. Larger, more textured flights cause more drag and can also tilt the dart upward. The trick is to use a combination that suits the way you throw and a design you like the look of.

Pro player models

If you are still unsure what darts to choose (and there are lots of options out there), consider buying a model used or endorsed by professional players. If the pros are using them, they must be good. All of the major brands have these sorts of custom darts, and buying them can be a nice way to emulate your favourite player.

Brand

A final consideration when buying darts is the brand. Going for a well-known name such as Harrows, Unicorn, Winmau or Target will pretty much guarantee you get good quality and value for money. There may be cheaper alternatives out there, but you get what you pay for.

Darts Power is an online store stocking a huge range of darts, dartboards and accessories. They have everything from brass darts to high precision 95% tungsten models, and brands such as Harrows, Target, Unicorn and Winmau. Visit the website to see the full range.