Okay, so I’ve been getting into darts lately, and let me tell you, it’s a whole world out there. I started with those cheapo plastic ones, you know, the kind you find at a garage sale. They were fine for messing around, but I wanted to get a little more serious. So I started looking into steel tip darts, and boy, was that a rabbit hole.
First thing I did was hit up some online forums. I figured, who better to ask than the people who actually throw these things for fun, right? I spent hours reading through old posts, trying to figure out what makes a good dart. There was so much to consider, like the weight, the grip, the material. It was kind of overwhelming, to be honest.
Figuring Out What I Need
I started with the weight. Turns out, there’s a huge range, from like 16 grams all the way up to 50. I’m no expert, but I figured I should probably start somewhere in the middle. I also learned that most serious players use tungsten darts, because they’re denser than other metals, so you can get a heavier dart without it being super bulky.
Then there was the grip. So many options! Rings, knurls, grooves, you name it. Some darts looked like they had shark teeth, others were smooth as a baby’s bottom. I honestly had no idea what I preferred, so I just kind of picked a few that looked cool.
Test Throw
I ended up ordering three different sets online. A set of 22-gram tungsten darts with a ring grip, a set of 24-gram darts with a knurled grip, and a set of 26-gram darts with a smooth grip, just to cover all my bases. When they arrived, I was like a kid on Christmas morning.
I set up my dartboard in the garage and started throwing. The 22-gram darts felt pretty good, nice and balanced. The 24-gram darts were a little heavier, but I liked the knurled grip, it felt secure in my hand. The 26-gram darts, though, were a bit too heavy for me. They were also really smooth, and I felt like they might slip out of my hand.
Conclusion
After a few weeks of throwing, I definitely gravitated towards the 24-gram darts. They just felt right. I even managed to hit a few 180s, which was pretty exciting. I’m still no pro, but I’m definitely getting better. And I’m having a blast, which is the most important thing, right?
So, if you’re thinking about getting into steel tip darts, my advice is to do your research, try out a few different types, and see what feels best for you. And don’t be afraid to experiment! That’s half the fun.
Here’s a little summary of what I learned and tried:
- Weight: Started with mid-range and ended up liking 24 grams the best.
- Material: Tungsten is the way to go for most serious players.
- Grip: Tried ring, knurled, and smooth, and preferred the knurled grip for security.
- Testing: Ordered three sets (22g, 24g, 26g) to try out different weights and grips.
- Result: 24g with knurled grip felt the best for my throw and gave the best control.
I’m still learning and having fun. Hope my experience helps you find your perfect steel tip darts!
