Darts is widely practiced as a professional sport and is primarily a game of skill and precision. Darts is generally divided into two different game types.
Namely, soft or automatic darts on one hand, and steel darts on the other. The different dartboards also differ. Steel darts are played on a dartboard made of sisal fibers, while soft darts are played on an electronic dartboard.
In this article we give you an overview of the different dartboards for steel darts.
What is steel darts and how does it differ from automatic darts?
Soft tip darts are characterized by darts that weigh no more than 20 grams and have a maximum length of 16.8 centimeters. The tip of a soft tip dart is made of plastic, and a machine serves as the dartboard. Steel tip darts, on the other hand, have a metal tip. The dart weighs up to 50 grams and has a maximum length of 30.5 centimeters.
The barrel, just like a soft tip dart, is made of a nickel-tungsten alloy. This ensures a slim dart body with the same weight, which has a corresponding effect on the flight characteristics.
The rules of the game: Are there important differences?
In steel darts, it's important that the dart stays in the dartboard until the score is announced. If it falls off earlier, the throw will not be scored.
In soft tip darts, points are calculated automatically. In steel tip darts, a scorer adds up the scores and determines the remaining score. Therefore, players should also keep track of their scores.
After all, they have to decide which field to aim for with the next throw. A so-called double hit often ends a steel darts game. We summarized all the other rules for you here a few weeks ago.
I want to buy a steel dartboard. What should I look for?
Every experienced player knows: not all dartboards are created equal. For example, an electronic dartboard, such as the CB 90 , is completely unsuitable for steel tip darts.
The material of the dartheads isn't designed for use with a soft-tip dartboard. Therefore, we help beginners in particular avoid making annoying mistakes when purchasing a dartboard.
After all, there are a number of aspects to consider when purchasing a steel dartboard. We'll explain them in more detail below. This way, you'll not only save money, but also enjoy your dartboard for much longer.
Where can I buy a steel dartboard for professionals?
You can now buy dartboards for steel tip darts almost anywhere. The sport has become so popular that almost all major department stores carry a wide selection of dartboards.
The manufacturers have also recognized this. The best known among them are Winmau, Unicorn, and Target. The dartboards from these manufacturers are characterized by the highest quality currently available.
While this is reflected in the price, you can't go wrong with a dartboard made of sisal fibers.
What are the special features of the different steel dartboards?
The basic features of dartboards are always the same. Whether electronic or steel-tipped, the design is always standardized.
This means that various dimensions must be strictly adhered to. These include the size and diameter of the dartboard, as well as the layout of the fields. All of this must be exactly the same for every dartboard.
One big difference is the price. Anyone who wants to buy a dartboard for steel tip darts will have to spend a bit more. After all, the saying "Buy cheap, buy twice" also applies to dartboards!
What does a steel dartboard consist of?
A dartboard for steel tip darts is made of special materials. Typically, the dartboard is made of cork or sisal. There are significant differences in terms of manufacturer and material.
Unicorn is presenting its boards at the PDC's major Darts World Championship. However, Winmau products, such as the Blade 5, have a better reputation.
This is primarily due to the manufacturing process of the dartboards. The Unicorn dartboard is pressed harder than the Winmau dartboard. This affects the darts' grip on the dartboard.
Particularly good dartboards are made of sisal fiber, while cheaper options are made of cork. The latter have the significant disadvantage of wearing out significantly faster than those made of sisal fiber.
What is special about a steel dartboard made of sisal fibers?
A top-quality Winmau dartboard is characterized by many positive features. The sisal fibers are not quite as densely packed, making it easier for darts to find their way into the board.
The robust sisal fibers also ensure that old holes in the board are automatically closed again. This significantly reduces wear and tear compared to a cork dartboard.
This is something you should definitely pay attention to when buying a dartboard. A test throw will already provide information about the material quality. This will give you a feel for how hard the dartboard is and how quickly the old holes close up again.
The differentiated manufacturing also reduces noise levels. The impact of the dart on a Winmau dartboard is significantly quieter than that of other brands.
The wire – the be-all and end-all if you want to buy a dartboard
Even more important than the density of the sisal fibers is the wire. A good wire ensures that the darts stay stuck in the steel dartboard for a long time. This protects the dartboard's floor and ensures greater durability. High-quality steel dartboards usually have a relatively thin wire.
A thick wire causes darts to bounce more off the board. These ricochets, in turn, often bounce back more than a meter and usually stick in the ground.
If you don't put down blankets or mats for protection, you'll ruin your room in the long run. So, make sure you get a thin wire if you want to buy a high-quality steel dartboard. Here, too, cheap isn't always better.
It's similar with the walls, although here it's less about the wire than about personal precision.
Steel darts in particular tend to get stuck in the wall and leave unsightly stains and holes in the plaster or wallpaper.
This is where surround technology comes in. A protective ring or dart catch area is added to the dartboard, allowing errant darts to be caught.
The number ring: another feature of the professional dartboard
An important indicator of a good dartboard is the number ring. In cheaper models, this is permanently attached to the dartboard. If you practice diligently with your dartboard every day, you'll quickly notice the following.
The lifespan of such a dartboard will be very short. Some surfaces will wear out significantly faster than others.
This is, of course, because you prefer certain areas when aiming. However, a high-quality dartboard for steel tip darts has a removable number ring.
For example, once your 20-point segment has been "thrown through," you can simply rotate the steel dartboard and the number ring. This allows you to use a previously infrequently used field as a new 20-point segment.
This increases the lifespan of your dartboard to up to five years – with regular use.
Buying a dartboard for steel darts: our tips at a glance
- Pay close attention to the material and the pressing process. A genuine dartboard made of sisal fibers is just as important for a high-quality steel dartboard as good material density.
- The wire is a sign of high quality. It should be as fine as possible to minimize ricochets.
- A removable number ring. Its flexibility allows you to use your steel dartboard for up to five years.
- Dart Surround : Make sure your walls are well protected. A surround dartboard will catch even poorly aimed darts, preventing damage to plaster or wallpaper.
- First-class quality is reflected in the price. It's better to dig a little deeper into your pockets for a high-quality steel dartboard. In the long run, you won't save any money with a cheap board. Well-known manufacturers stand for top-quality products when it comes to professional dartboards. We recommend the Blade 5 dartboard, as it offers excellent value for money and meets all of the criteria mentioned above.
Ready to upgrade your darts game? Discover everything you need to know about the best dart equipment and how it can boost your accuracy:
- The agony of choice: Dartboard made of cork or sisal ? An expert explains the pros and cons. Click here to find out more.
- Setting up a dart room Made easy thanks to cool tips and ideas » Click in now and create your own personal paradise at home.
- 2-hole or 3-hole dartboard ? All the pros and cons at a glance! The most important information in a nutshell. We'll help you make the right decision!
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