As I have become more intrigued with darts and started learning who the pro players are and watched them play I have noticed something that doesn't necessarily surprise me but I figure I would open it up to discussion anyway.

There seems to be an unwavering trend for a surge in the popularity of a particular dart because some pro player just recently won a major PDC comp. Now, I know the initial response is but I am curious as to what people's thoughts are as to why this happens. Clearly it doesn't only happen in darts. Every sport that has a collective following seems to exhibit this characteristic.

The sudden back order of Van Gerwen darts is what inspired me to start this thread.

So, what say you? Also, do you find that you are one of the people that buys new darts because of their recent surge in popularity? Are you someone who becomes affected by the sudden lack of availability and even worse the new price hike because of popularity?

I'm not affected at all. Happens all the time. Be patient, wait a month and everyone will be selling their used MVG darts for a lot less. Once they realized they haven't magically turned into MVG

I think I made a thread about all the recent buying of MVG's darts, but its just some psychological response I think, everyone wants what the best players are using, but then you find they dont work the same for you as they do them.

Yes, I think the same can be said for the Phase 5's. I tried them, then quickly sold them.

This is the sole reason that darts manufacturers sponsor players and produce their signature darts. Mvg, does the biz in a big comp, and there’s a big rush to buy his darts. Is there a rush for the Wayne Jones darts set…..I doubt it. If Taylor slightly modifies his darts (again), then Taylor fans will rush out and buy them. But would Unicorn have sold many sets of the Taylor darts, if Phil wasn’t so successful? Again, I doubt it?

I may be wrong of course, but that’s what I reckon?

As I said, my grip suits them but I wouldn't go out panic buying for taylors, would only buy them cheap

Darts is a weird sport like that. A player does well and suddenly their dart sales goes through the roof. Makes sense I suppose. If MvG continues his form for the next 20 years I'm sure he can have quite a bit of success and win several World Championships. With that will come massive dart sales and we'll see forums littered with "Hey, Check out my MvG darts" threads. Well deserved though because there hasn't been anyone like him to come along and generate this much excitement in a long time.

Guess no one wants my Carrot darts then

Pretty simple as all about sponsorship and the top professionals sell more merchandise than any other formula especialy sports goods.

If you see a player who is performing well and winning tournaments and breaking records then people buy the brands they represent as if Taylor uses it then it must be good and it works on all sports cricket football darts etc etc etc.

Tell me what skill sport can you buy anything close to what top pro's in a skill sport are using for under $100. Of course we know theres no magic , but to know your darts could perform "magic" is maybe too tempting to pass up.

Years ago, I took up golf and bought a putter that at the time was used by they most among pro players. At the time I paid more for the putter than the rest of my clubs combined. Thoughout the years, I replaced/upgraded the rest of my clubs, when I became a decent player I would go through several drivers a year. All that time I alway considered the putter way above my ability - It's the one club I never replaced. I wonder if you gave a beginner a top player model dart (say a Taylor...) if the same would happen? I started throwing in the late 70' will a department store brand, who know where I would be now if I kept throwing thoose brass darts

Its all about sales. Sponsor the guy doing well and people will buy his endorsed products.

Look back to when Jordan was the best bball player on the planet and every kid had a Bulls singlet with number 23 on it. Cricky, even I have a Jordan singlet, but that is because we have the same surname. lol

definitely a fad. just like other player darts when the player is doing quite well in competition. same with newly released darts. i've bought darts because they were used by players or because they were recently released, out of curiosity.

Darts exists because of this. This is how sponsors make their money and why they pay for these tournaments.

It makes me want to be the best and have my stuff selling!