Optimal Dart Barrels, Weights, Flights & Tips for your Dart Boards

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• Steel-tip darts (for bristle): Common weights 21–26 g. Heavier isn’t always better; pick the lightest that feels stable.

• Soft-tip darts (for electronic): Usually 16–20 g with 2BA plastic tips. On many soft-tip boards, you can still use heavier barrels with conversion kits—check manufacturer guidance.

• Barrel shapes:

  • Straight/parallel for push-throws and flexible grip positions

  • Torpedo for front-grippers wanting a quick, compact release

• Grip: Knurling and micro-grooves add traction; too much grip can “stick” in the fingers and yank the dart off line.

• Flights & shafts: Standard flights stabilize looping arcs; slim flights suit flatter trajectories. Align shaft length with your release—shorter for front-weighted flicks, longer for smoother, higher arcs.

Top dart brands to trust: Target, Winmau, Red Dragon, Harrows, Unicorn, Shot, Bottelsen, and One80 all produce quality barrels across weights and shapes. (Choose by feel, not just by player endorsement.)

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For serious practice at home

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• Winmau Blade 6 Triple Core or Unicorn Eclipse Ultra 2.0 for stage-like feel and visuals.

• Keep quality steel-tip darts in 22–24 g and a second set ±2 g to explore feel changes.

• Add a halo light, a mat with oche, and a small tripod for slow-motion release videos.

 

For bars and pubs

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• One80 Gladiator 3+ (value workhorse) or Blade 6 Triple Core (premium durability).

• If you host casual leagues and want built-in scoring, add Arachnid Cricket Pro 800 lanes.

• Stock spare tips (soft-tip), chalk/markers (if using chalkboards), and a printed rules sheet.

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For tournaments and leagues

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• Standardize on Blade 6 Triple Core to mirror PDC feel, or Eclipse Ultra 2.0 for familiar stage clarity.

• Maintain a rotation & replacement log; swap boards before they “look” worn in streaming zones.

• Use identical lighting on every lane to keep player feedback consistent.

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• Frequently asked (and quickly answered)

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• Q: Are expensive boards really worth it?
  A: If you play weekly, yes. Premium boards cut bounce-outs and last longer thanks to better sisal density and wiring. Over a year, you’ll spend less than replacing a budget board twice.

• Q: What’s the single best upgrade besides the board?
  A: Lighting. A bright, shadow-free halo or ring light improves aiming and reduces eye strain.

• Q: Can one setup work for both steel-tip and soft-tip?
  A: Yes. Many players mount a bristle board on one bracket and a soft-tip/electronic board on another, sharing a surround and floor mat. Keep two oches marked: 7' 9.25" and 8'. 
  A: Start at 22–24 g for steel-tip, 18 g for soft-tip. Move ±2 g as you learn your release.

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Need Darts & Flights?  Contact us!

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