Are you a passionate dart player looking for ways to sharpen your game? It can be difficult trying to figure out how to stay ahead of the competition, but this blog post is here to help.
With the new season starting, now is the perfect time for all aspiring champions to improve their darts skills. Here we will cover some of the tried-and-tested tips that will have you shooting sharper and nailing bull's eyes like a pro!
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Take away key points:
- You can sharpen your darts with various methods and sharpening tools, depending on your preferences.
- Pay attention not to overdo the process, as it can have negative impacts on your game.
- Always check the overall construction of the darts, and if you notice some issues, you might need replacements.
Resolving blunt dart issues: This is how you sharpen darts!
If you need to sharpen your blunt dart units and make the best out of the sharpening process, read our guidelines below. We will explain everything in detail.
Why do you need to sharpen your darts?
Sharpening your darts is important for several reasons.
Firstly, it can help to reduce the number of bounce-outs you experience during play, which can be frustrating and impact your game. This is because a properly sharpened dart tip will penetrate the board more easily, reducing the likelihood of it hitting a wire or another dart.
Additionally, a properly sharpened dart will stick to the board more effectively, reducing the chances of it falling out after landing.
Sharpening your darts can also help to prolong their lifespan, as a dull tip can become damaged over time and require replacing more frequently.
Finally, having well-sharpened darts can improve your accuracy and overall performance, making it easier to hit the target and score points.
How to sharpen darts correctly?
When sharpening your darts, you should follow these three main steps:
- Grind the tip of the dart to create a slightly rounded shape.
- Create a slightly conical profile around the darts tips to ensure it blends nicely into the round tip.
- Roughen up the sides of the end of the darts tips by around 0.5 inches to 0.75 inches.
It's important to note that the dart tips should never be needle-sharp, as this can cause damage and is not considered properly sharpened. The conical shape created in step two will help prevent burrs, while the shallow grooves created in step three will provide some extra stickiness when the dart tips hit the board. However, these grooves should be minimal to avoid damaging the fibers of the dartboard when retrieving the dart.
How to sharpen steel tip darts using a dart sharpener?
The most popular and convenient way for dart sharpening is by using a dart sharpener. This affordable accessory can easily be found on websites like Amazon and is commonly used by dart players. They are portable and can be carried with you, even to the bar or pub, although it may not be necessary.
To use a dart sharpener for steel tip darts, start by grinding the radius of the tip first. Next off, move on to sharpening a slightly conical profile around the dart's tip. Finish by scuffing up the sides of the dart's tip point. A darts sharpener made from stone with a rounded profile is the preferred option.
Is it better to use an automated sharpener or manual sharpener to sharpen dart tips?
Both automatic and manual dart sharpener models are viable options for sharpening blunted tips. Automatic sharpeners are quick and easy to use but require batteries or need to be plugged in.
On the other hand, manual sharpeners require more effort but can be more precise, and some players prefer them for their portability and ease of use to find the right angle and avoid burrs. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and which method works best for you.
What's the best dart sharpener for your needs?
One of the best dart sharpeners available on the market is the Red Dragon dart sharpener. Other popular darts sharpener versions include Silver Bullet, Aoyoho Star, and Precision Dart.
All these dart sharpeners are available on Amazon and similar websites, and you can use them to sharpen your darts properly.
How can you sharpen darts properly with sandpaper?
To sharpen blunt darts using sandpaper, follow the steps below:
- To sharpen metal blunt darts using sandpaper, you will need fine or medium-grade sandpaper.
- Place the sandpaper on a flat surface and hold the blunted dart tip perpendicular to it.
- Move the blunt tip from side to side while rotating it slightly in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions until the tip is properly sized.
- Grip the point of the dart and pull it out while twisting it slightly to create spiral-shaped scuffs on the side of the dart's point.
How to sharpen darts with a flat stone?
If you don't want to use sandpaper or darts sharpeners, you can also sharpen your darts with: flat stone, flat sharpening stone, rectangular sharpening stone, round sharpening stone.
To avoid keeping your darts blunt, hold the dart perpendicular to the stone and rotate it slightly from side to side while moving it back and forth to grind the proper radius on the tip of the dart. Afterward, shape the conical profile around the tip and roughen up the end 0.75 inches of its sides. You can also use the flat stone and a V-groove for sharpening fish hooks.
How can darts players sharpen darts without a sharpener?
Many techniques can be used instead of a dart sharpener to sharpen your darts regularly. If you don't have access to a dart sharpener, you can use a variety of other items to sharpen your darts, such as:
- concrete wall,
- curbstone,
- red brick,
- emery cloth,
- fish hook sharpener,
- whetstone,
- an unglazed portion of a ceramic mug or plate,
- nail file or emery board,
- rock,
- regular file,
- plumber's cloth.
All these techniques can help you when making a sharp point and keeping your darts sharp for the dart boards. The sharp dart will remain stable when hitting the board, causing fewer bounce outs, and there won't be any issues when playing darts with sharp darts and dart hits.
How sharp should darts be?
New darts players often make the mistake of sharpening their darts too much, which is a mistake. However, it's important to remember that mistakes are a part of the learning process. Although it is advisable to have sharp darts, you should not oversharp your playing tools.
When it comes to the sharpness of the dart tip, it should not be as sharp as a knife-edge, but rather slightly rounded with a small radius, so as not to feel pointy and hurt your skin. A rounded tip is more durable and less likely to damage the wiring and fibers of the dartboard. Over-sharpening the dart wears it out faster, so it's best to keep this process to a minimum.
A sharper dart tip will wear out faster and is prone to more bounce-outs or damage to the wiring of the dartboard. On the other hand, a rounded point will result in fewer bounces and be more durable, making the dart case last longer. It's not ideal to have a flat top either. For example, storm point darts typically have a 20-30 degree angle to their points.
How often should you sharpen darts?
The frequency at which you will need to sharpen your darts depends on how frequently you play and the rate at which your darts wear out. You should look to sharpen your darts when the microscopic grooves on the sides of the tip are gone or when the top becomes flat.
Still, in some cases, some players might not need to sharpen their darts for 2-3 years or more, while other players sharpen them when they hit a hard surface, or after every fall on the ground.
What will happen if you don't sharpen your darts?
Over time, the frequency of playing darts and the surfaces they are used on can cause the dart points to wear out and become dull. This can happen after regular use or striking hard surfaces like concrete, hardwood floors, walls, tiles, and more.
When the dart points become flat, they create more resistance upon hitting the dartboard, resulting in increased bounce-outs or the dart sticking onto the board before finally falling off. Furthermore, flat points can damage the wiring and sisal fibers of the dartboard.
Thus, taking care of your dart tips is essential for enjoying the game, achieving higher averages, and becoming a better player. You should not overlook this small detail when maintaining your darts; otherwise, you will need to obtain a new dart set.
Is it important to scuff the side of the dart points?
It is not necessary to scuff the side of the dart points. However, scuffing the sides of dart points can significantly decrease the occurrence of darts falling out from the dartboard. Even when darts deflect from the wiring, they can still stick to the fibers, despite having low penetration in the board. Even players who don't usually sharpen their darts will sometimes scuff the sides of the points to improve their stickiness.
Fortunately, it's effortless to roughen the edges using any of the tools mentioned in this article. Scuffing only takes a few seconds and should be done around the first 0.5 to 0.75 inch of the point. Scuffing the sides may be more crucial than sharpening the point, as points should only be sharpened if they are flat.
Are there any disadvantages when sharpening darts?
Sharpening your darts can have negative consequences if not done carefully. When sharpening, it's important to be mindful of the pressure applied and the sharpener or grinding stone being used. Coarser tools can be too aggressive on the dart's tips, resulting in unnecessary material removal. Therefore, it's best to use tools with finer and less aggressive grits to remove as little material as possible to prevent excessive wear and tear.
Overdoing it can result in excessive material removal, leading to faster wear and a shorter dart tip that will need to be replaced sooner than necessary. Additionally, oversharpening can also affect the weight of the dart, which is an important consideration for players.
Also, pay attention not to remove too much material when sharpening darts, as this can change the whole structure of the playing tool, and you may not achieve the wanted results. Plus, always gently touch the sharp point, as it should not be sharp enough to rupture your finger skin, only to stay secure to the dartboard.
When should you get a new dart set?
There are various reasons why one might need to get a new dart set. Here are some of the most common:
- Worn or damaged darts: Over time, darts can become worn or damaged from frequent use and hitting hard surfaces. This can cause the dart tips to become dull, the shafts to bend, or the flights to tear or fall off. When this happens, it can affect the accuracy and consistency of your throws, and it may be time to replace your darts.
- Change in playing style: As you progress as a player, you may find that your playing style changes. For example, you may transition from using heavier darts to lighter ones or vice versa. In such cases, you may want to get a new dart set that better suits your current playing style.
- Upgrading to higher quality darts: If you started playing with a lower quality dart set and have since improved your skills, it might be time to invest in a higher quality set that offers better balance, grip, and performance.
- Customization: Some players prefer to customize their dart sets with specific colors, shapes, or designs. If you're looking for a particular look or feel in your darts, it might be time to upgrade to a new set that better fits your preferences.
Ultimately, the decision to get a new dart set depends on your personal playing needs and preferences. If you notice any significant wear or damage to your current darts, it's probably time to consider an upgrade. Additionally, if you're looking for a different type of dart for a change in playing style or customization, it may also be time to get a new set.
Summary
As you can see, there are various factors and methods to sharpen dart tips and keep them optimal for further play. Consider all of them for the best playing results.