Vegas Success 2024

 Vegas Success
NDA Nationals, Las Vegas, 2024

1st Place, Doubles Cricket (w/Stephanie Shope), Division 5

1st Place, Seniors Combo, Division 1

I think as you get older, you have to pick out and focus on the events you want to do well at. At 55 I find it hard to play to be 100% every weekend. I stopped all my physical training 2 weeks ago (bike rides and weights). Then 2 weekends before tournaments (Darts Madness 2 & 3). This next week I'm going to plan my peak for the next big event. Dropping all physical 2 weeks before and 2 weeks of tournaments seems to work. I'll keep that. Now a rest week, then a 3 week on, 1 week off progression. Come back and see what I come up with.

The Darts

This weekend I chose the ....

The "Messenger" by Horizon Darts

https://www.horizondarts.com/catalog/soft-tip-darts/horizon-soft/messenger-soft/

While most people seek 90% tungsten, this dart is 80% tungsten. Just because a dart has more tungsten content, doesn't make it more accurate, it just makes it smaller. Whatever you find confident and comfortable is the best. 

The say you can fit more darts in a triple with smaller diameter darts. then can't it be said for singles? How many games have I lost because my darts were too big around? Not Many. Phil Taylor used a "Chunky" dart.  

Just the old school, standard cheap nylon shafts and poly folding flights. I think they fly better than molded flights. A lot of the top players use folding flights.  With that said I experiment with a lot of different products, so don't be surprised if I review molded flights. 

Laserdart KC Darts ...A close Up

 

Laserdart KC Darts

I think everyone should have a set of these in their collection. I can't really think of another dart with these distinctive attributes. people might think they are too big, but I've hit many 180s, and 3 bulls (3x 50) a couple times with them. Peter Manley used to do it with his "Bulbous Onion" darts. The name of the game is confidence. besides, I believe a high majority are lost because of missed doubles, where throwing tight groups are not necessary. 

Compact 90% Tungsten Fixed Tip Barrel

Front-Weighted with Grooves, and Knurled Grooves

Steel Tip

Color: Silver

Weights:
24g- length 48.00mm, diameter 7.67mm
26g- length 47.24mm, diameter 7.93mm
https://www.horizondarts.com/catalog/steel-tip-darts/laserdarts-steel/kc-steel/

Soft Tip

Color: Silver and Heat-Fused “Black” Coating

Weights:
16g- length 36.83mm, diameter 8.00mm
18g- length 38.00mm, diameter 8.74mm
20g- length 38.00mm, diameter 8.74mm
https://www.horizondarts.com/catalog/soft-tip-darts/laserdarts-soft/kc-s/

22g Harrows, Swarm darts review

Both visually and technically superb, Swarm is another fantastic addition to our enviable 90% tungsten range. Made using the highest quality 90% tungsten. Tapered barrel with a cone nose profile to reduce bounce outs. A fusion of ringed and reverse cuts along the length of the barrel, resulting in a unique feel. Finished with an electric blue, metallic coating and re-cut to leave a beautiful two-tone finish.

18 gm – length 50mm, diameter 6.8mm
20 gm – length 50mm, diameter 6.9mm
22 gm – length 50mm, diameter 7.1mm
Swarm darts are supplied with Silver Supergrip Carbon shafts and new Prime flights. Match weighed to +/- 0.05g.
SKU: EHSW
https://www.horizondarts.com/catalog/soft-tip-darts/harrows-soft/

It's basically a straight barrel dart with a slightly tapered front. Just enough to feel the taper for a consistent grip, but small enough to not obscure the target. "Goldilocks!". After 4 weeks. They seem to get grippier with wear. I find them to be some of my favorite darts. Try them out at Horizon Dart Co. along with many others. It's a real blessing to have a place in Kansas City where you can try out all kinds of darts

LaserDarts ,"Tomahawk" Derek Hinkel pt.2 The Steel-tip Connection

 Hail to the Chief pt.2 The Steel-tip Connection

Derek Hinkle's New Steel-Tip Signature Darts

22 Gram ...Because it's what he throws.

These darts remind me of the old Rick Ney Signature Hammerheads. The groove pattern is not centered like 99% of other darts. The grip is optimized for those that grip the dart a little behind the center of the barrel. 

No I don't have them anymore. Leave it to me to sell a highly popular and collectible dart. But that's what I do.

Laserdart Signature Line – “The Tomahawk” by Derek Hinkle

TOMAHAWK STEEL TIP BARREL

High-Density 90% Tungsten Barrel

Front and rear Shark cuts

Lateral groved lines at front and rear

“Tomahawk” etching on smooth middle section

Weights:

22g- length 51.56mm, diameter 6.73mm

SKU: LTHF22

A little laser etching for the icing on the cake

Get then only at Horizon Darts

Hail to the Chief

Hail to the Chief. We Salute Him One and All

In Proud Fulfilment Of A Great Noble Call

What more do you want?   Results?  He's Got'em . You can Got'em

Derek Hinkle's Signature Dart "The Tomahawk" by LaserDarts

The same, but not the same.

 A lot of darts that look like these, the grooves are symmetrical of the center line of the dart barrel. These are a little behind that. Makes sense to me, since I grip the dart a little behind the center of gravity

Laser Etched Tomahawk ....Can you dig it? 

The Nose that Knows.

Back cut grooves for your pleasure.

Fancy Machining

Functional Machining

A typical reaction when they see you throw the Tomahawk

Winmau Firestorm Darts

20g, 90% Tungsten

(50.8mm x 6.35mm)

My minimalist Dart Review

Here you have them. 20 years ago the only real textures put on darts was knurling or grooves. 

                                Now there are all kinds of machined shaped grooves. 

In the beginning when they started using these new technologies the darts gripped you, and were hard to release. 

Now they are less aggressive and now you grip the dart, instead of the other way around.

Laserdarts 23 Gram Mirage

 Laserdarts, 23 Gram Mirage

With Steel-Tip darts gaining popularity again, someone asked me what would be a good dart to transition over from soft-tip to steel-tip.

 I said, "How about the Laserdarts Mirage?" What's the "Mirage"? It's a straight barrel dart with backcut groove and knurling, with a BIG round groove at the front. The material missing at the front is compensated by a long subtle taper. Thus retaining center balance. But looks off balance creating the Mirage.

It's a good dart all around that stands by itself with many grip points. 

...and backcut grooves for good thrust and release.

What can I say about this darts? I can say everything, but I can't really say anything. 

What's this "Shopeism"? 

It means, they lend themselves to Every kind of grip, but not Any kind of grip. All grips welcomed, nothing specific.

OK One distinction is the the BIG groove at the front. 

If you are NOT one of those people, who puts a finger on the point, but on the side of the barrel, this is the dart for you. You can actually get a little big of thrust on it too. 

Here are The Links. Check'em out.

https://www.laserdarts.com/darts/mirage.html

https://www.horizondarts.com/catalog/steel-tip-darts/laserdarts-steel/mirage-steel/

https://www.horizondarts.com/catalog/soft-tip-darts/laserdarts-soft/