How to Sharpen Your Darts – Darts is one of the most popular and fun games that you can play at home or at a pub. However, if you want to enjoy the game and improve your skills, you need to take good care of your darts. One of the most important aspects of dart maintenance is sharpening.
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Sharpening your darts regularly can help you reduce bounce-outs, improve your scoring, and extend the life of your dartboard. In this guide, we will show you how to sharpen your darts properly using different techniques and tools. We will also give you some useful tips and answer some frequently asked questions about dart sharpening.
List of Darts Sharpener
- UK DARTS SHARPENING SHARPENER STONE Van Gerwen Gerwyn Price GARY ANDERSON — £3.50
- Beer Barrel Dart Sharpener Keyring Darts Point Stone — £3.95
- Electronic Dart Point Sharpener, Saving Time, Sharpens Game, Increased Scores — £21.90
- Darts Sharpening Stones Keyring 10 Different Sharpeners To Choose — £3.95
- Mission V-Sharp Sharpening Stone - Dart Point Sharpener
- CyeeLife Dart Sharpener 2pcs For Steel Tip Darts Set
- CSDPC Dart Sharpener | Dart Point Sharpener | Round Dart Tip Sharpening Tools...
- Mission Darts Sharpener - Round Stone inside Keyring
- Jagowa 3PCS Dart Sharpener Round Dart Tip Sharpening Tools Sand Stone Darts...
- WINMAU Michael van Gerwen MvG V-Groove Darts Point Sharpener
- SOUTHSKY 3x Dart Sharpner Metal Burrs Remover Sharpeners Portable for Steel...
How to Sharpen Your Darts?
You might think that sharpening your darts is unnecessary or even harmful. After all, wouldn’t a sharper dart pierce the board better and stick more firmly? The answer is no. Contrary to popular belief, a sharper dart is not always better.
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A dart that is too sharp can actually damage the board and cause more bounce-outs. This is because a sharp dart can cut through the fibers of the board instead of pushing them aside. This creates holes in the board that make it harder for other darts to stick. A sharp dart can also bounce off the metal wires or deflect off other darts more easily.
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A dart that is too blunt can also cause problems. A blunt dart can slide off the board or fall out more often because it does not have enough grip on the surface. A blunt dart can also wear out the board faster because it creates more friction and heat.
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The ideal dart tip should be slightly rounded but still pointy enough to penetrate the board without cutting it. It should also have some texture on the sides to create more friction and grip on the board.
How Often Should You Sharpen Your Darts?
There is no definitive answer to how often you should sharpen your darts. It depends on several factors, such as how often you play, what kind of board you use, what kind of darts you have, and how well you store them.
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As a general rule of thumb, you should check your darts before every game and sharpen them if they feel dull or smooth. You can also test your darts by gently touching them with your finger or rubbing them on a piece of paper. If they feel too sharp or too blunt, they need sharpening.
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You should also inspect your darts for any burrs or nicks on the tip that can affect their performance or damage the board. Burrs are small metal projections that form on the tip due to impact or wear. Nicks are small cuts or scratches that can occur due to hitting metal wires or other objects.
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If you find any burrs or nicks on your darts, you should remove them with a file or a sharpener before playing. Otherwise, they can cause more bounce-outs or damage your board.
What Tools Do You Need to Sharpen Your Darts?
There are different tools that you can use to sharpen your darts. Some of them are specially designed for this purpose, while others are common household items that can do the job as well.
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Here are some of the most popular tools for dart sharpening:
Dart Sharpener
A dart sharpener is a small device that has a cylindrical grinding stone inside a metal casing. It usually has a hole at one end where you insert the dart tip and twist it around to sharpen it.
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A dart sharpener is one of the easiest and most convenient tools for dart sharpening. It allows you to control the angle and pressure of sharpening and create a smooth and consistent tip.
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To use a dart sharpener, follow these steps:
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- Insert the tip of your dart into the hole at one end of the device.
- Hold the device firmly with one hand and twist it around with the other hand.
- Apply gentle pressure as you twist it around until you feel some resistance.
- Repeat this process until you achieve a slightly rounded but still pointy tip.
- Check your tip by touching it with your finger or rubbing it on a piece of paper.
- If necessary, repeat steps 1-5 until you are satisfied with your tip.
Some tips for using a dart sharpener are:
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- Use a light touch when sharpening your darts. Too much pressure can damage your tip or make it too blunt.
- Rotate your dart in different directions as you twist it around to create an even profile.
- Clean your dart tip with a cloth or a tissue before and after sharpening to remove any dust or debris.
- Do not over-sharpen your darts. A few twists are usually enough to get a good tip.
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Knife Sharpener
A knife sharpener is another tool that you can use to sharpen your darts. It is similar to a dart sharpener, but it has a wider and flatter grinding stone that can accommodate larger blades.
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A knife sharpener can be useful if you want to sharpen multiple darts at once or if you don’t have a dart sharpener handy. However, it can also be more difficult to control and create a consistent tip.
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To use a knife sharpener, follow these steps:
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- Insert the tips of your darts into the slot of the device.
- Hold the device firmly with one hand and pull it towards you with the other hand.
- Apply gentle pressure as you pull it towards you until you feel some resistance.
- Repeat this process until you achieve a slightly rounded but still pointy tip.
- Check your tip by touching it with your finger or rubbing it on a piece of paper.
- If necessary, repeat steps 1-5 until you are satisfied with your tip.
Some tips for using a knife sharpener are:
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- Use a light touch when sharpening your darts. Too much pressure can damage your tip or make it too blunt.
- Pull your darts in one direction only. Do not push them back and forth as this can create uneven edges or burrs.
- Clean your dart tip with a cloth or a tissue before and after sharpening to remove any dust or debris.
- Do not over-sharpen your darts. A few pulls are usually enough to get a good tip.
Sandpaper
Sandpaper is another common household item that you can use to sharpen your darts. It is a paper coated with abrasive material that can grind and polish metal surfaces.
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Sandpaper can be useful if you want to create a rough texture on your dart tip or if you want to remove any burrs or nicks. However, it can also be more time-consuming and messy than other tools.
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To use sandpaper, follow these steps:
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- Cut a small piece of sandpaper and fold it in half.
- Hold the sandpaper between your thumb and index finger with the abrasive side facing outwards.
- Rub the tip of your dart against the sandpaper in circular motions.
- Apply gentle pressure as you rub it until you achieve a slightly rounded but still pointy tip.
- Check your tip by touching it with your finger or rubbing it on a piece of paper.
- If necessary, repeat steps 3-5 until you are satisfied with your tip.
Some tips for using sandpaper are:
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- Use a light touch when sharpening your darts. Too much pressure can damage your tip or make it too blunt.
- Use fine-grit sandpaper for best results. Coarse-grit sandpaper can create scratches or grooves on your tip that can affect its performance or damage the board.
- Clean your dart tip with a cloth or a tissue before and after sharpening to remove any dust or debris.
- Do not over-sharpen your darts. A few rubs are usually enough to get a good tip.
Other Tools
There are other tools that you can use to sharpen your darts, such as files, nail files, emery boards, whetstones, etc. However, these tools are not recommended for beginners or casual players as they require more skill and precision to use properly.
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If you decide to use any of these tools, make sure that you follow the same principles as mentioned above: create a slightly rounded but still pointy tip, avoid too much pressure, check your tip regularly, and clean your dart before and after sharpening.
How to Sharpen Your Darts: Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips and tricks that can help you sharpen your darts better:
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- Sharpen all of your darts equally. This will ensure that they have the same weight and balance and perform consistently on the board.
- Sharpen only the very end of the dart tip. Do not sharpen too far up the barrel as this can weaken the metal and cause it to bend or break.
- Sharpen only when necessary. Do not sharpen your darts too often as this can wear out the metal and reduce its lifespan. Sharpen only when you notice that they feel dull or smooth or cause more bounce-outs than usual.
- Store your darts in a suitable case. The best way to store your darts is to use their original case or a case that is customized to fit them comfortably. This will prevent them from scratching, bending, or getting lost.
- Do not store your darts in a humid or dusty place. Humidity and dust can damage the metal and the flights of your darts. Store them in a dry and clean place away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
- Do not store your darts with other metal objects. Metal objects can cause corrosion or magnetization of your dart tips. Store them separately from other metal items such as coins, keys, knives, etc.
How to Sharpen Your Darts: Conclusion
Sharpening your darts is an important part of maintaining them and improving your game. By following the steps and tips above, you can sharpen your darts easily and safely using different tools.
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Remember to sharpen only when necessary, create a slightly rounded but still pointy tip, avoid too much pressure, check your tip regularly, and clean your dart before and after sharpening.
