How do I choose the right dart shafts?

Choosing the right dart can make a big difference in how you perform, but choosing the right shafts can be just as important. Shafts are the part of the dart that sits between the barrel and the flight, helping to stabilize the dart's flight. The choice of your shaft, along with how you grip your barrel, also influences whether your dart lands straight or angled in the board. As with every part of the dart, there are countless types. There are several factors of shafts that can vary, namely the material, length, and color. But how do you choose the right shafts for your darts? To help you with this, we'll explain the differences in this blog.

Material

Shafts are available in different materials such as aluminum, nylon, and plastic. The choice of material can have a significant impact on your throws. Aluminum shafts, for example, are lightweight and offer good stability, but are also prone to bending when your dart falls on the ground or gets compressed. Nylon shafts are slightly heavier and have more flexibility, making them less likely to break upon impact. Plastic shafts are the most durable and offer good stability, but are also slightly heavier than aluminum shafts. Plastic shafts often have a longer lifespan than nylon shafts and are therefore often higher priced. Because nylon and plastic are often lightweight, there are also shafts with an extra weight inside. This way, you can add more weight to your dart while using a plastic shaft, while maintaining the longer lifespan of a plastic shaft.

Length

The length of the shaft can influence the stability and flight of the dart. It can fly straight to the board, or arrive in an arc. You can influence this by adjusting the length of your shafts. Shafts generally come in the following lengths: extra short (28 mm), short (34 mm), in-between (39 mm), medium (47 mm), and long (55mm). The angle at which your dart sits in the board can show you what kind of shaft you need. If your dart hangs in the dartboard with the flight lower than the point, you'll want to use a shorter shaft. If your dart sits too steep in the dartboard, with the flight higher than the point, you'll want to try a longer shaft. Some brands, like Cosmo and L-Style, have even more different lengths available besides the standard sizes. By experimenting with different shafts yourself, you can discover which length suits you best and how your darts hit the board most beautifully.

Color

Like flights and barrels, dart shafts also come in all kinds of different colors. The color choice obviously has no effect on your performance, but feeling good about your shafts is also important! Therefore, check out our huge assortment of shafts to find the perfect shafts for your darts.

Variants

Besides the standard shafts, there are also different variants of shaft systems available. For example, there are the Condor Axe Flights. These combine the flight and shaft into one piece, providing a more stable darting experience. The flight and shaft are always attached to the dart in exactly the same way, thus delivering a more consistent throw. You also prevent your flights from deforming after frequent use AND you never have to pick up your flights from the ground again. Some shafts also use shaft rings. These rings function as a kind of clamp, making your flight sit extra firmly in the shaft. This way, you don't have to worry about your flight coming loose while darting. Some shafts, like those from L-Style, have a special cap for the flight, called a 'cup'. This cup forms a kind of mini-bumper and thus reduces the chance of your flight falling out. Choosing the right shafts for your darts may require some experimentation. Try different lengths, thicknesses, and materials to determine what best suits your playing style. With the right shafts, you can improve your performance on the dartboard and enjoy this great sport even more. Besides shafts, different flight shapes also influence how you perform. Want to know more about that? Then check out our blog about flight shapes! Do you have any questions about shafts or other components? Then you can always contact our customer service.