Canadian Dart Buying Guide

Choosing the right darts can significantly improve your game. This guide breaks down each part of a dart to help you make an informed decision, tailored for Canadian dart players.

1. The Tip (or Point)

• Steel Tip:

  For traditional bristle or sisal dartboards. The standard for leagues and professional play.

• Soft Tip:

  Made of plastic, for electronic dartboards. Automatically scores when the tip registers in a hole.

2. The Barrel (The Heart of the Dart)

The barrel is where you grip the dart, and its characteristics are crucial for comfort and performance.

• Weight:

  Typically ranges from 18g to 30g+. A good starting point is 22-24g for a balance of feel and control.

  • Lighter Darts (under 22g): Require a more forceful, flat throw.
  • Heavier Darts (over 25g): More forgiving for an arcing throw, but can cause fatigue.


• Material:
  
  
  • Tungsten:

    Preferred for serious players. High density allows for heavier weight in a slimmer barrel, enabling tighter groupings. Higher percentages (e.g., 90% tungsten) mean a slimmer dart.

  • Brass:

    Inexpensive, good for beginners/casual players, but grip can wear down.

  • Nickel-Silver:

    More durable than brass, less dense than tungsten. A good mid-range option.

• Grip:

  Personal preference based on patterns cut into the barrel:

  • Smooth:

    Clean release, requires consistent grip.

  • Ringed:

    Most common, reliable, consistent grip.

  • Knurled:

    Rough, cross-hatched for a secure grip, can sometimes stick on release.

  • Shark Fin / Micro-Grip:

    Aggressive patterns for maximum grip.



• Shape:

  Influences dart balance:

  • Straight (Pencil):

    Evenly balanced from front to back.

  • Torpedo (Front-Loaded):

    Wider at the front, helps dart propel nose slightly down.

  • Bomb:

    Shorter, thicker, heavily front-loaded barrel.