Types of Darts: Finding Your Perfect Match

In this article, we will explore the various types of darts available on the market. Weigh up which style might be suitable for you and why.

Finding the right darts to suit your style, grip & throwing action is very important if your looking to improve your game. But, it is worth remembering that there is not a ‘1 size fits all’ solution. Every barrel is as unique as the player throwing them.

Simply put, buying a set of new £100+ Luke Littlers - doesn’t mean you’re going to be the next world champion. However, experimenting with various shapes, sizes & weights will certainly help find the style that suits you best & help you to progress in the sport.

Barrel Shapes

There are an endless number of barrel shapes on the market currently, but they all boil down to 4 main categories:

  • Straight
  • Bomb
  • Tapered/Torpedo
  • Scalloped

Straight Barrels

Probably the most popular profile of barrel, think the iconic Eric Bristol simple ring grip barrels all the way to the more modern Luke Littlers. While visually very different, straight barrels tend to offer perfect balance.

The same thickness from top to bottom means the weight of the barrel is evenly distributed across the barrel. Leading to a smooth flight through the air.

These barrels are typically a good starting point, as they allow players the option to experiment with their grip, holding the dart towards the back (closer to the stem), midway down the barrel, or even closer to the point.

Bomb

A less popular shape, but arguably one of the most successful. The mighty 16x world champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor was synonymous with a ‘bomb’ shaped barrel.

Short, Stumpy & typically much thicker than their counterparts, which can mean better in-hand control. The reduced length can also mean a more direct in-air flight path, which can mean improved accuracy.

But thicker barrels which are typically gripped in the middle, aren’t for everyone and as mentioned, are not awfully popular amongst pros these days.

Tapered - Torpedo

Gradually narrowing from front to back, tapered barrels are a very popular shape for those who prefer a rear grip. Torpedo is also a very popular shape in soft-tip darts.

The thinner ‘nose’ offers improved aerodynamics, leading to a direct and accurate flight path. Weight is concentrated in the middle or slightly back, giving a more neutral balance that many players find comfortable.

Scalloped

These unique barrels have curved indentations or “scoops” machined along the length of the barrel - imagine finger-sized grooves carved into the sides. These create natural finger placement spots that look somewhat like the edge of a scallop shell (hence the name).

These scallops create predetermined grip points where your fingers naturally settle. This promotes consistent hand placement throw after throw.

This works well if the scallops are in the right place. If the spacing doesn’t match your finger placement, they’ll feel awkward and the release can feel forced or lack control. This leads to a wobbly flight path and ultimately poor accuracy. On the flipside, if the grip is right, the release can feel effortless.

Weights

Modern-day barrels can vary from as little as 12g, famous thrown by ‘The Bullet’ Stephen Bunting all the way up to 30g+ where you’re likely see a set of Ryan Searle barrels coming in at 32g. While these are extremes, a majority of players will favour a 22-26g barrel.

22-23g would suit someone with a strong, direct throw, while a 25-26g barrel can be a little more forgiving, requiring less force, as they are carried by their own weight.

A 24g is somewhere in the middle and is typically the most popular weight for beginners to help establish their throw & style.

Materials

Traditionally, Dart barrels were made from Brass. Though tough, Brass is not heavy, thus requiring more material to bulk up the weight of the barrel. In the 1970s the introduction of Tungsten revolutionised the manufacturing of darts. A much heavier alloy meant that barrels could now be made much thinner but be the same weight.

Modern darts now typically come in 3 grades of tungsten 80-85%, 90% & 95%

Sub-90% darts tend to be the cheaper ‘entry-level’ barrels. The reduced tungsten volume means they are typically a few mm thicker than the average dart.

90% is by far the most common material on the market. Its weight-to-volume ratio means manufacturers can mix various shapes & grip styles while maintaining weight and price point.

95% barrels are typically ‘high-end’ designs. The increase in weight & density allows for very intricate, state-of-the-art milling techniques, which can create unique grip styles.