| Warwick University's Guide to all things Darts: |
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Chapter 2 - Buying Darts
Weight and Feel
- The darts supplied with dartboards are the cheapest things possible, and in these cases cheap
doesn't mean low price, it means worthless. One of darts' greatest assets is that the cost to play
the game is relatively cheap. Find a shop that specialises in darts. Most sports shops have a
display cabinet near to the till.
- Always take enough time to try different darts. You should spend at least half an hour for trying
different shapes/weights to familiarise yourself with the various combinations. If the shop does
not give you this opportunity, then it isn't a good shop.
- When trying the darts, don't make you judgement on what you are hitting with them, only judge
them how they feel. This is important because when you are trying new darts, it is very likely that
you are more concentrated and careful than usual. This will result in better hits, but it is not
because the dart is good.
- When trying different darts first make a pre-selection. For instance, try a few sets of darts that
look promising. Don't forget to try darts that are shaped different from ones you are familiar with!
Prejudice is not the best thing when you are shopping for a new set of darts, you might find the
perfect set where you least expected it. Once you have filtered out about 4 "candidates" you
should continue with further examination to filter half of them out. Then you have two sets left to
decide which one to buy (most probably this will be two sets of adjacent weights).
- If you can't be sure which set to buy then buy neither, not both. If you find it unpleasant to tell the
shopkeeper that you won't buy anything after they have patiently assisted you in your session,
then buy a couple of shafts or flights you'll need anyway sooner or later.
- When trying darts bring your usual flights and shafts with you and try your normal set-up. If this is
your first set then use middle length shafts and standard flights (this combination is usually the
standard set supplied with many dartboards).
- Never buy a dart because it looks good. Never buy a dart you haven't tried before. This is the
strongest point against buying darts via mail order.
- Check if the barrels of your chosen set have the same weight! This is very important! Darts
should be within 2/10 of a gram. E.g. a set with 22.1, 22.2, and 22.3 is acceptable for a 22gram
set. A set with 21.8, 22.0 and 22.2 is not. You are well within your rights to return them to the
shop and request a refund if the difference is unacceptable. Some of the well-known companies
give you a guarantee that the darts are within a certain weight range (Unicorn for instance
guarantees within a third of a percent), but this doesn't mean the set actually f's within that range!
The guarantee only says that the darts are replaced when you discover a weight range outside
the guarantee.
- Money should not be an argument. Buy what suits you, not what's expensive. Expensive doesn't
necessarily mean better. If you like that �5 set - buy it. If it's the �20 set that feels best, then get
it if your wallet allows.
- Darts don't need a lot of maintenance. Regular sharpening of your darts prevents blunting and
increases the dart's chance of sticking in the board. In terms of transportation you should really
invest in a darts case. The best choice is a case where you can keep the darts with the flights in
their proper shape (i.e. avoid bending them as much as possible).
- When looking for your first dartboard, buy a 'Bristle Board.' The manufacturer name doesn't really
matter for your first board. "Bristle Board" is the key phrase. Your first bristle board will guide you
through your first year of dart practicing at least. Whether you combine it with a fine dart cabinet
or place it on the kitchen door is up to you, but you should also look for a chalkboard of some
kind- As long as it's a bristle board there is no problem getting one via mail order.
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