How to choose the right dart barrel for you?

The Dart barrel is what is commonly known as the “heart of the dart”, or the piece that gives your dart the oomph to get from your hand to the dartboard. Many beginners have no idea what dart barrel they should be looking for or how to even choose one. After all it’s the most important (and expensive) part of the overall dart setup. There are so many variables that go into making the dart barrel what it is. The weight, length, width, shape, grip, balance and even the colour can make a difference to how the dart will be thrown and land into the dartboard. So, where to start?

Barrels are typically made from metals such as Tungsten, nickel, silver or brass. In this article we will be discussing the search for the right tungsten barrel. This is the preferred barrel type for the advancing beginner right though to pro dart players. Why tungsten (also called wolfram for the scientists out there)? It’s an extremely strong and dense metal. Being the seventh most dense metal on Earth, tungsten made darts can be manufactured slimmer in comparison to the cheaper metals such as brass or steel. Thus, making the grouping of the darts easier with a tungsten set as opposed to a brass or nickel set. Try comparing the size of a 22 gram tungsten barrel against a brass barrel of the same weight and you’ll see very quickly the difference in size.

Weight

The most important factor in choosing the right set of darts for you is the weight of the dart barrel. Note the weight of the barrel is measured by weighing just the barrel (with the point in) but without the stem and flight on.

The most common preferred weight of dart barrels sits around the 22 to 24 gram region. If you tend to lob your dart, a lighter weight may be preferred. If you throw hard at the dartboard you might want to go heavier than the common weight. Remember tungsten darts can weigh as little as just 10 grams, whilst we sell dart barrels right up to 48 grams in weight. 

Barrel balance

Nearly as important as the barrel weight is the barrel balance. Is the balance rear weighted, centre or front weighted? You can typically tell the balance of the barrel just by looking at it. A front weight barrel will have the widest part of the barrel near the point, or towards the front.

What balance barrel will suit you? The best way to recognize this is to see where the position of your fingers are holding onto the barrel at the moment you release the dart. Do you hold the dart near the front, middle or near the back of the barrel prior to your throw? To get the best trajectory and most accurate throw, you need to be holding the dart at it heaviest or widest point. The barrel must suit your natural throw not your throw adjusting to what or how the barrel is made. Work out your natural hand position for the dart, then you’ll work out whether you suit a front, centre or rear weighted barrel. Typically, if you are a player that holds the front of the barrel and are using a centre or rear weighted dart. You’ll see the dart land at all angles into the dartboard. So, it becomes pretty clear after just a few throws of a new set of darts.

(Just FYI (from experience) approximately 35% of players are front, 60% centre and 5% rear weighted dart throwers.)

Shape

The three most common barrel shapes are straight or cylindrical shape, the teardrop and the bomber/torpedo shaped barrel. There are many, many other exotic shapes too like a bamboo shaped dart barrel that Mervyn King uses.

The shape of the barrel is typically made to fit the many different ways that people hold and throw their dart. Again, the dart shape should fit the thrower, not throw depending on the shape. The “Wizard”, Australian dart professional Simon Whitlock has a dart barrel with a cutaway or a very defined groove for where his fingers typically hold the barrel to give him the best fit for his throw.

Surface or Grip

Some professionals use a completely smooth dart to avoid getting stuck on the grip of the barrel. Other players however prefer to use a dart with greater grip because they quickly get wet or sweaty fingers.

Grip level 1 – Low grip This grip level is primarily suited for players whose fingers get stuck on the dart barrel and therefore need little grip when throwing darts.

Grip level 2 – Low/Medium grip

Typically more grooves or “rings” are milled in but the barrel still has sections with no grip.

Grip level 3 – Medium grip

Has longer and stronger knurled or ringed zones on the barrel. These knurls or grooves make it easier for the player to always hold the dart in the same place every time in order to achieve the most consistent throw possible.

Grip level 4 – Strong grip

At higher grip levels, the millings or grooves become clearer and above all, more defined. There are many different forms of grip. But the ringed zones are now significantly denser, so that we have many rings at shorter distances. There are multi-ring zones which greatly improves the grip of the barrel. Furthermore, so-called shark or razor zones can be identified on the barrel.

The edges of the grooves are significantly sharper which creates a strong grip.

It must be said that a higher grip level is not good for every player. Some may find a higher grip level is more of a hindrance because the dart gets stuck on their fingers at release.

Grip level 5 – extra strong grip

With the maximum grip level at 5/5, the barrel surface usually only consists of grip zones with the shark or razor grip predominantly used. The pixel grip made famous by the current World Champion, Luke Littler is also a strong or extra strong grip type. Some even go one step further with an Ultra Shark Grip. But the Ultra Shark Grip offers a very good option, especially for players with very wet or sweaty hands. Although it’s certainly not for everyone as some players have massive problems letting go of a dart with grip level 5.

Length

Steel tip darts can vary in length with barrels being as short as 35mm and can be as long as 60mm. Their width can also vary between 4mm to 9mm with the width varying at different points of the barrel, all depending on the type of barrel.

There is no “norm” for the length of the barrel, but must commonly dart barrels will be near the 45-50mm in length. The length of a dart barrel for the thrower is more a personal preference rather than one length suits one type of player versus another.

Summary

So, if you are new to darts or even just trying to find that barrel to suit your throw. Have a throw with your friends darts down at the local darts club, RSA or pub. Find the weight that best suits your throw. Get someone to tell you where you hold your dart prior to your throw or just take a look yourself.

Weight then balance are the first two keys to finding that “perfect dart” to suit your throw. The shape, grip level, colour and barrel length are more a personal preference than make any real difference to your own throw.

Straight Arrows everyone

Paul Webber

Owner – Bullseye Darts