Spring-Loaded Darts

Everybody in the world knows darts. If you go to pubs or bars, you have probably tried playing a game of darts.

Those who are not much into the bar scene have seen people playing darts on TV shows.

What an amateur might not know is there are tons of games you can play, each with its own set of rules, making the games equal parts challenging and fun.

It’s no wonder darts are known to enhance skills like hand-eye coordination, arithmetic, and mental agility. There are also different types of darts.

In this article, we will take a closer look at spring-loaded darts. So whether you’re a novice to the world of darts or a bit of an expert looking to expand their knowledge, make sure to read on!

Parts of a Dart

Let’s examine each part in more detail:

The Point

The point of a dart refers to the tip that buries itself into the dartboard when thrown. There are two main types of dart points: the steel tip and the soft tip. A steel tip is more traditional and commonly used in professional dart games.

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Soft tips are usually made from plastic. They are flexible and are thrown at plastic boards. Unlike traditional boards, plastic boards have molded holes into which the plastic tips fit.

The Barrel

In the world of darts, the barrel is the determinant of quality.

Brass or silver darts are affordable and preferable to beginners. Tungsten barrels are narrow and do not crowd the board when they land. This makes them preferable to expert darters.

The Shaft

The shaft and flight are what make a dart fly easily. The shaft is right behind the barrel and determines the length and weight of the dart. Nylon shafts are preferred by beginners because they can be short, extra short, or medium-sized.

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Super grip tips are named so because they have a ring that enhances the player’s grip. They can either be short or medium-sized. Aluminum shafts can be used by anyone and are highly durable.

The Flight

The flight and the wing help a dart fly easily. The flight keeps the dart stable when it is in the air. Flights can be foldable or molded. Since this part is most in contact with air as the dart moves, it can wear out quicker than other parts of the dart.

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There are two major types of darts: steel-tip darts and soft-tip darts. Steel-tip darts have a metallic tip that penetrates and sticks in the fibers of a traditional sisal dartboard.

Soft-tip darts, on the other hand, have a plastic tip that fits into the holes molded onto a plastic dartboard.

Spring-loaded darts are a more modern type of darts. Their shafts are made from synthetic materials like nylon. The shaft on a spring-loaded dart is larger compared to that on traditional metallic darts.

During construction, a spring locking ring is slipped over the end of the shaft before the flight is fitted on the dart. The spring makes the dart flexible.

You can identify spring-loaded darts because they bounce a bit when they hit the board.

The Turbulent History of Spring-loaded Darts

Legendary dart player Keith Deller used spring-loaded darts and won championships in the ‘80s. The British Darts Organization (BDO) banned the use of spring-loaded darts around the same time.

Despite the lifted ban, not many people still own spring-loaded darts. You can buy some for yourself off the net. However, if you want them for cheap, you can use the tools you already have in the shed to make yourself a set.

Caring for Darts

Just like everything else, darts need proper care if they are to last for a long time. Regular cleaning is a must to remove the sweat that accumulates between the fingers and the dart. Sweat can cause corrosion, especially on steel tip darts.

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Use a soft cloth soaked with a mild cleaning solution to wipe the surface of the dart.

If you have darts with a metallic tip, you should pay attention to the sharpness.

If you feel some roughness or ridges, then it is time to sharpen your darts. You can find a quality dart sharpener in most dart stores.

Use it to slowly work your dart tips into a shape similar to the tip of a ballpoint pen. Any sharper than that and you will damage your board.

To Summarize…

Spring-loaded darts are more modern to the darting world. They are designed to enhance the accuracy of throw by reducing the obstruction of the flight.

They are also larger than more traditional darts, which makes them harder to grasp and throw. This is why they are mainly used by experts.

Spring-loaded darts are not as popular as hammerhead darts or plastic darts. However, you can make some for yourself and make a game of it at home or your local bar. And remember to keep them in tip-top shape by regularly sharpening them!