Tungsten darts are some of the toughest darts that money can buy. So, how long can you expect a good set of tungsten darts to last?
Surprisingly, tungsten darts can potentially last forever. This is because tungsten is an incredibly hard material. Some people play with cracked tungsten darts that they have been playing with for absolute decades. They function that well.
Generally speaking, it isn’t actually going to be the tungsten dart that breaks. Instead, it will be the grip that starts to wear down. Eventually, you will end up with a dart that still looks like a dart, but it is going to be difficult to hold because there is no grip on it.
How Long Does It Take for Tungsten Darts to Wear Out?
How long this process takes to happen will be dependent on two things:
- The dart being used
- How tight the player holds their dart.
It stands to reason that the tighter that a player holds their dart, the shorter period that it will last, right? There are some people that will only get a few months of use out of their darts, while there are others that may be able to enjoy many, many years of dart use.
If you want your darts to last as long as possible, then make sure that you treat them with care. It may also be worth your while spending a little bit more on some decent darts rather than buying fresh, lower quality, darts every few months.
Proper Dart Maintenance to Make Tungsten Darts Last as Long as Possible
Of course, you aren’t going to have a set of darts last for a long time without doing a spot of maintenance on them. There are a few things that you will need to do here.
Sharpen the Darts Properly
It is vital that you sharpen your darts regularly. Ideally, you would be sharpening them every few sessions.
Obviously, sharpening the darts is going to allow them to stick in the board a little bit better. This means that you will actually be making your shot.
We recommend using a round sandstone dart sharpener like this one to properly sharpen your dart tips for the best performance possible.
If the dart bounces out, then this means you do not get points. This is bad enough. However, bounce out is also not good for the lifespan of the dart. If you bounce out too often, your dart will be ruined.
Thankfully, learning how to sharpen your darts isn’t too difficult. All you need to do is grab yourself a decent dart sharpener and get to work! Once you get into the swing of things, you will probably be doing it every session anyway.
Wipe Down the Darts During a Match
The quickest way to ruin your darts will be to let them get dirty. The moisture and grime will eventually wear down that grip.
If you watch a game of darts, you will probably notice that professional players wipe their darts down every time they return to the dartboard.
You don’t need to do it this frequently, but giving them a quick rubdown every so often certainly wouldn’t go amiss.
Remember, if you wipe the darts down, you may find it difficult to grip them. Therefore, you will either want to blow or suck on your fingers. You can also use dart wax. Either of these options will allow you to use the darts without any slippage.
Clean the Darts at Least Once per Month
Each month, you will need to give the darts a decent clean. There are plenty of ways to do this. Some will wipe them down with warm, soapy waters. Others will stick them overnight in a bowl of Coca-Cola (seriously, it works!)
We like to use proper dart cleaner when we are cleaning our darts. After all, tungsten darts are expensive, so you want to ensure that they stay in good condition for as long as possible. This means that you will need to use a proper dart cleaner for the job.
We find that however you do things, you will want to use a toothbrush to clean the darts. It will ensure that you can get into absolutely every nock and cranny. This makes it far, far easier for you to wash away all of that awful dirt and grime.
Properly Store Your Darts
Did you know that properly storing your darts also plays a big role on how long they will last you? Darts are made of steel, which means that they can rust.
If your darts are left out in weather that is humid, they may eventually start to rust. The best way to combat this is by storing your unused darts in a dart case or dart bag.
Are Tungsten Darts Better Than Steel or Brass Darts?
If you are talking about longevity, then tungsten darts will last far longer than both steel and brass darts. It is a better quality material.
While it may not feel like it, brass is a very soft material. This means that it will wear down quite quickly. Steel is far harder than brass, but it still doesn’t come close to the quality of tungsten darts.
Even if the tungsten darts didn’t last longer, you would still want to use them over the other two options. This is because they are easier to throw. The metal also tends to be a little bit thinner too. This should make it a lot easier to throw tight groupings of darts. This means that you should be able to achieve far better scores!
What Are the Best Tungsten Darts?
There are a lot of different options on the market when it comes to tungsten darts. If you are serious about the game, then you will want to try out a few of them. After all, a dart that may be good for one person may not necessarily be the correct dart for another person.
In this section, we are going to run you through the most popular tungsten dart options. If you stick to one of these dart brands, then we reckon that you will end up with a decent dart.
Wolfram Infinity Tungsten Darts
Wolfram Infinity darts are used by pro players around the world. They are available in both a steel and a soft tip too. This means that you will be able to choose the tungsten darts that are right for your needs, which is always helpful!
This set of Wolfram Infinity steel tip darts are made out of 97% tungsten. Wolfram Infinity darts are known for their quality, performance, and awesome style. They also come in a variety of weights that can suit just about any darter.
A lot of people are not fans of the shark-fin groove on the darts. However, there is a reason why the pros love to use the Wolfram Infinity Tungsten darts. They feel fantastic in your hands and they have the minimum among of slippage. So, if you are not a fan of the shark-fin groove at the start, it is something that you will probably end up loving.
CUESOLE Swift
If you want a set of darts that is great but is not necessarily going to be breaking the bank, then the CUESOLE Swift is probably going to be the best option for you.
This 98% tungsten dart will fly through the air effortlessly. It has a grip that tends to work well for most people too, including beginners.
These darts are available in a variety of weights. They are only available in steel tip, though.
Viper Blitz
If you want something similar to the CUESOLE Swift but with a soft tip, then this may be the option to go for. It feels just as fantastic in the hand. It is only 95% tungsten, but this difference is not really going to be all that much in the grand scheme of things.
Once again, there are a variety of weights to choose from here.
Final Thoughts
Tungsten darts can typically last a lifetime if they are well kept. It’s very important to make sure you perform proper dart care and maintenance.
Be sure to always have properly sharpened dart tips to help prevent bounce outs. The more your darts hit the ground, the faster they will start to wear out.
Quickly wipe down your darts after each match and be sure to store them properly in a dart case. This will help keep them dry and prevent any humidity from building up which, over time, can cause your darts to rust.