The game of darts appeared in Great Britain several centuries ago. According to one version, the target was made from a cross section of a tree. Others believe that the bottom of a wine barrel was used for this purpose. Darts were crossbow bolts or cut arrows. It is assumed that the soldiers at their leisure trained their accuracy by throwing such homemade products into the bottom of the barrel. Standard markup appeared in 1896. The first darts were patented in 1906.
Present-day darts is a sport game in which the goal is to hit a target that has a round shape and is divided into sectors with numbers. At the end of the throws, the number of points scored by the athlete is calculated. Introduced by the British many centuries ago, fun is carried away on all continents. It is popular among amateurs and professionals. For classes, it is not necessary to visit specialized institutions - a fairly large room and a free area on the wall. It does not require huge financial costs.
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When playing darts, it is very important to choose the right dart. This is a small semblance of a spear. An individual approach is needed here, since each person has his own physiological characteristics. The style of throws depends on them. Every little thing matters, starting from the length of the fingers, the manner of throwing. It is even important to take into account some psychological nuances, for example, an athlete with quickly sweating hands needs a rough surface; for this, the product must have a rough knurling.
Types of throwing equipment depending on the material of the case:
Professionals mainly use tungsten options. They are distinguished by their strength and balance of flight. The flight path depends on the material and shape. Their main drawback is that the cost is much higher than the rest. The cheapest are brass barrels. They weigh heavier than the rest, but professional athletes use them very rarely due to rapid wear. Middle-level specimens include silver and nickel shells. They have a very reasonable price.When choosing, you should pay attention to strength, this is especially important for beginners, since they often miss the target. In this case, the spear may hit the floor, wall, nearby objects, which can lead to breakage.
The main components of darts:
There are also auxiliary components: this is a ring, collars, protector. They are needed to improve comfort. The shank is attached to the barrel, balancing the dart.
Another important part is plumage. It is necessary to stabilize the flight. The plumage is either hard or flexible. The first type is the most durable. If it is also embossed, then the projectile vibrates slightly during flight. The material is high temperature polyester. Flexible plumage is made of soft plastic or nylon. The cheapest option is of course plastic. Nylon projectiles are high-strength - this is the middle between hard and soft. These darts almost never break. Aggressive throws are obtained thanks to the heavy tail section. If the projectile is light, the throws are more calm and technical.
When buying kits for throwing, choose the shape of the body, guided by your feelings. A lot depends on the style of the game. When throwing, you should feel comfortable. The simplest option is a "torpedo". He easily has a center of gravity, this helps not to make mistakes when mastering the technique. In addition, there are forms in the form of a barrel and a drop. Before purchasing, it is extremely important to test each dart yourself.
The main criteria also include weight. Professionals use shells weighing less than 50 grams. The most optimal value lies in the range from 19 to 29 grams.
Video about the selection of the first darts:
Winmau is a Welsh manufacturer of darts and targets. The company was founded in 1945. In 2002, it was taken over by competitor Nodor, while the production of both brands continued. The company is based in Bridgend, South Wales, but manufactures accessories mainly in Kenya.
Nodor was founded in 1919. The initiator of the creation of the production was the chemist Ted Leggatt. Initially, plasticine was produced here. In 1923, Leggatt made his first darts target, it was made of clay, but for some reason it did not gain popularity. Over the next year, Nodor began producing elm dart boards. By the mid-1930s, Nodor had succeeded in producing bristle targets and obtaining a patent for them. After the patent expired, two firms (Nodor, Winmau) began producing bristle boards. Fierce competition led Nodor to take over Winmau. This happened in 2002. Dart accessories are produced under both brand names. Winmau has long maintained close ties with the BDO and has been a board sponsor for the BDO World Darts Championship. BDO crashed in 2020, with Winmau replacing the BDO logo on their merchandise with a simple W logo.
Larsen is a Russian sports equipment manufacturer. The company has been operating on the domestic and foreign markets for several decades. Products are supplied to more than 20 countries in Europe and Asia. Production is located in China, as there is a low cost of labor. This allows you to reduce the price of goods.
Entry-level shells are mostly made of brass and have a very thick barrel.
The 3-piece set from Winmau is suitable for classic targets. Durable steel needles do not break. The steel brass body is complemented by a cast shank and plumage (feathering is replaced only together with the shank). One projectile weighs 20 grams, which is quite consistent with the requirements. The price for a set is from 450 rubles.
Nodor NR-4003 steeltip are designed for classical targets. The barrel material is brass. Sharp steel needles complete the product.
The weight of one is 22 g. The kit includes 3 pieces. There is also a plastic needle protector. The product is packed in an economical bag.
Product weight — 24 g. Steel needle. Nickel plated brass barrel. Sold in sets of 3. There is a cover included. The cost is 999 rubles.
The set is ideal for beginners and just those who like to leave the target at their leisure. Three pieces cost 599 rubles. The barrel material is brass. The shank is made of brittle plastic. It is recommended to immediately buy replacement ones, as they break quickly. Steel needles stick perfectly into the classic sisal target. The weight of one product is 21 g. Three pieces are included in the set.
Three steel pieces with plastic feathering will give beginners maximum pleasure while throwing at the classic target. The cost is only 694 rubles per set. There are different colors.
Chrome-plated brass classic darts set with 3 darts. There is a holder and a plastic case for storage and transportation.
Colour: gray metallic. The price is 1499 rubles.
Throwing equipment of this group is made of brass, silver or nickel alloys. The barrel of such guns is slightly thinner than entry-level products, this design makes them more convenient and gives more maneuverability.
The weight of the specimen is 23 grams, which is quite suitable for classic targets. Strong steel needles hardly break. The body material is 85% tungsten. Improved aerodynamics makes it possible to use a throwing projectile not only for amateur athletes, but also for professionals for the training process. There are 3 darts in the set. The set costs 3600 rubles.
This type of dart for classic targets is similar to the previous one. The material of the barrel is tungsten with a good percentage (85%), the needles are steel, the difference is only in the shape of the barrel and the mass, it is bullet-shaped. The spear weighs 25 grams. A standard set of 3 pieces is relatively inexpensive for equipment of this level (about 3 thousand rubles).
A similar model of competitors (article 1035.23) made of tungsten, the percentage of which is 89. Products have a lot of advantages. The mass does not go beyond the standard interval (23 grams). There are 3 darts in the set, for which you will have to pay 2000 rubles. But this is a wonderful thing, to lay out such an amount is not at all a pity. She will last a long time.
Amateurs use one set for several people, while professionals who are demanding on the quality of each piece of equipment prefer individual sets. The material of professional projectiles is tungsten, thanks to which it is possible to make the shape of the case thinner, apply good carving of various types and knurling. These spears have a high level of maneuverability.
Professional products for classical targets. (article 1086.22) with steel needles weigh 26 grams with a slight tolerance (± 0.1 g). A barrel with a diameter of 6.8 mm has a length of 50.8 mm. 90% tungsten per barrel makes it super strong. Aggressive V-knurling improves aerodynamics. In a standard set worth 5600 rubles 3 pieces. Many professional athletes use products of this brand and do not find any shortcomings.
The projectile (article 1087.22) has almost the same characteristics:
Shells are made using PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) technology.This is a dark colored protective coating. The set consists of 3 shells. Professionals who have chosen this type, without regret, lay out 54oo rubles for a set.
A spear with a steel needle weighs 23 grams. The barrel is 95% tungsten. This is the maximum percentage among similar samples. Strength can only be envied. There is an interesting feature - digital barrel balancing. Comes with 3 darts. The product costs about 4 thousand.
Brass products are good because they are conveniently placed in a pencil case. Product code: DG81543. For a set of 3 pieces, you will have to pay 550 rubles, which is quite inexpensive for such high-quality equipment. The weight of each item is 16 grams. Steel needles and paper laminated plumage meet the standards. There are 3 spare shanks included in the kit. Convenience is also in the fact that the whole set is packed in a pencil case and a blister on cardboard.
Three tungsten products with steel tips are sold in a special case. The shells weigh 22 g, they can be used both for training and for competitions. The price of the kit is about 2 thousand.
The manufacturer, Decathlon, began producing its products in the 80s of the 20th century. Products meet safety requirements and have been tested in real conditions.
The dart is 90% tungsten. The surface has a unique grip. Grooves of various sizes, depths and shapes are applied along the entire length. Includes 3 pieces, plastic storage case, point guard holder. Weight - 23 grams. The price is 4650 rubles.
Throwing projectiles with steel needles are made of tungsten (90%). The weight of each product is 23 g. The diameter of the barrel is 7.2 mm, its length is 49 mm, and its shape is straight. There are 3 pieces in a set. The price for a set is about 5 thousand rubles. The darts have polycarbonate shanks, there is a possibility that they may break when dropped or hit not on the target, but on other objects. Therefore, manufacturers recommend always having shanks in stock.
The spear weighs 22 grams, the material is tungsten alloy (90%). Dimensions: 6.3mm x 50.8mm. In a set of 3 pieces. The championship professional darts are designed by multiple World Darts Champion Michael van Gerwen. A bit put off by the high price.
The above information is based on the feedback of darts players, but each opinion may be subjective. Therefore, when buying a product, first of all, you must rely on your own feelings, comfortable placement in your hand is the most important indicator. Conveniently shaped darts are much better at throwing than awkward ones.Even if the first ones are not made of the best material, and the second ones, for example, are made of durable tungsten. If in doubt about the choice for advice, you should contact the experts.