In the next little while it is very likely I am going to order a set of darts from Canadian dart maker Jeff Pickup. They wont be sell the farm expensive, but dear enough that I will want to be fairly sure I know what I want to ask for.
I though it might be helpful, and possibly even fun to get some feedback, advice and design input on my darts!

Ok so where to start?

The dart I am currently using is the 22gram Barneveld Hero Gold Titanium, which I must admit I am very fond of, but think that there are a few things I might like different.

That being said, there are a few things I'd keep or make only minor adjustments to.

1. I like the long straight barrel
2. I wouldn't mind it being slightly thicker and heavier, but not by much.
3. I am open to suggestions on grip style, but I do like the 'I don't notice it' effect of the current grip.
My one complaint is that the middle section seems such an obvious place to grip that dart, and I always find myself wishing
that it was a little bit bigger to fit my whole thumb.

So what else? I dont want to over-design, but also looking for advice, and creative input!

I would go with a 90% tungsten dart. 95% might be thinner then what you want.

Also, give some consideration as to what kind of points you like.

He has several different lengths.

Honestly 22 grams sounds fine. By the time you add stem and flights

you're going to be at 24 grams.

yeah 90% may be best like JD says, so do you grip near the middle of the dart?

getagrip wrote:

yeah 90% may be best like JD says, so do you grip near the middle of the dart?

Yeah I suspect 90% might be a bit more durable as well.

As for the grip, yes in he middle at the balance point.

Quote :

Also, give some consideration as to what kind of points you like.

He has several different lengths.

That is something I have no opinion on and would love some advice or insight!

I tend to find a 26mm point works best for me, but it varies from player to player. Some people use 50mm points!!

Thefox180 wrote:

I tend to find a 26mm point works best for me, but it varies from player to player. Some people use 50mm points!!

Why would I want one over the other?

Well the point if its longer or shorter will have an affect on the balance point just as the length of shafts and size of flights do.

getagrip wrote:

Well the point if its longer or shorter will have an affect on the balance point just as the length of shafts and size of flights do.

I almost think then that is something Jeff would have a better grasp of than I would!! I had never thought of that though!

Also do you use the point in your grip at all? Knurled, ringed or storm points maybe be something else you may want to consider.

Thefox180 wrote:

Also do you use the point in your grip at all? Knurled, ringed or storm points maybe be something else you may want to consider.

Well no use of my point in my grip. As for a ringed/knurled grip I always wondered if they might not be dart board friendly. What is the point (ha ha) other than a bit more grip to the board?

30mm storm points for me

SilverSaber wrote:

30mm storm points for me

What makes them your choice?

davidsproull wrote:

In the next little while it is very likely I am going to order a set of darts from Canadian dart maker Jeff Pickup. They wont be sell the farm expensive, but dear enough that I will want to be fairly sure I know what I want to ask for.
I though it might be helpful, and possibly even fun to get some feedback, advice and design input on my darts!

Ok so where to start?

The dart I am currently using is the 22gram Barneveld Hero Gold Titanium, which I must admit I am very fond of, but think that there are a few things I might like different.

That being said, there are a few things I'd keep or make only minor adjustments to.

1. I like the long straight barrel
2. I wouldn't mind it being slightly thicker and heavier, but not by much.
3. I am open to suggestions on grip style, but I do like the 'I don't notice it' effect of the current grip.
My one complaint is that the middle section seems such an obvious place to grip that dart, and I always find myself wishing
that it was a little bit bigger to fit my whole thumb.

So what else? I dont want to over-design, but also looking for advice, and creative input!

Gyday THROW MAN
you and I seem to like the same style dart and I often thought about going custom myself, but with such a huge range out there I would think I could get something I could work with, untill a couple of weeks ago that is through a series of unforseen circumstances I thought of a custom dart!
I recently changed darts (was toying with topload and went back to strait barrell) and the grip I had on my cheap $30 AU Puma's consisted of three 6-7mm threded sections (1 at front 1 slightly forward of center point and one on rear). The middle section is slightly forward of center and I found that if you slide your thumb from the back of the dart to the front your thumb stops at the grip EVERY TIME, so finding center is just a matter of sliding your thumb forward.[img][You must be registered and logged in to see this image.][/img]
If it was my custom dart I would prob go for three or fore shark,saw or sharp ring's for a grip the most rear of these being slightly back of center(slight thumb wiggle to get center and full grip. The thumb in MY OPINION is what guides your dart and gives it the most thrust so the rest of the dart does not need GRIP, the extra grip on the non thumb fingers ( ) could exert extra spin or traction were it is not wanted. To me they are just guide fingers for the throw. The reason I would go ring's over knurled is that with rings theoretically you should get LESS spin from the dart as opposed to knurl were you have sideways grip. Here is a quick diagram.
[img][You must be registered and logged in to see this image.][/img]

This design is VERY basic and is a good mix of grip were you want it plus self centering thumb and the advantages that a smooth barrell gives you with your guide fingers. You could always put grip at your other fingers if you want.

I would not however go for a movable point dart. you dont realy need them with todays staple free boards with fag paper wire and suped up cosmo spinning flights (I prefer fixed but thats another story) that dont robinhood. No moving point = less cost and no matenace.
I would also get the bullnose to marry up to the tip e.g. no square edge unless tridents or storm points were being used.
Like this
http://www.dartscorner.co.uk/Darts---Steel-Tip-One80-Darts-Dragon/c9_932_933/p37603/One80-Darts---26g-Steel-Tip-Tungsten-Darts---One80---%3Cb%3EDragon%3C/b%3E---Slimline---VHD---%3Cb%3EHand-Made-%3C/b%3E--26g/product_info.html

You could also go for a scallop the phase 2 Gary Anderson gives me a fat
It does have micro grip in scallop (high rez no more).

http://www.dartscorner.co.uk/p52362/Darts---24g-Steel-Tip-Tungsten-Darts---Unicorn---%3Cb%3EMaestro-Premier%3C/b%3E---Gary-Anderson---%22The-Flying-Scotsman%22---Phase-2/product_info.html

Here is another alternative were you could use the slide thumb routine

http://www.dartscorner.co.uk/Darts---Steel-Tip-Unicorn-Darts-Unicorn-Autograph/c9_17_1007/p22098/*Darts---22g-Steel-Tip-Tungsten-Darts---Unicorn---Specialist---%3Cb%3EAutograph-Collection%3C/b%3E---22g/product_info.html

Any how my conclusion no matter how wrong it is boils down to this in order of preff.
1. NO MOVING POINT
2. NO CUSTOM DART (lots of good darts out there)
3. IF CUSTOM PUT GRIP 1-2 RINGS BACK OF CENTER POINT (this includes stem length and flight weight wtc) SOZ TO USE SLIDE THUMB METHOD
4. GET GARRY ANDERSON PHASE 2
5. FIND DART YOU COULD CUSTOMISE (consider extra grams for the weight loss)

But in the long run Its all about you. you gota go with what your comfortable with and only trial and error will get you there. Good luck with the customs hope I gave ya something usefull.[left]

Thanks for a whole bunch of feedback Dirty G. You are right on me not needing a custom dart. I just like the idea of having one set that is unique to me.

I have a few different darts at home, so I'm going to put some thought into grips styles and their feel etc.

.. and I'm also in the not gifted so very much relying on a ton of practice category!

No probs snow man.

I can see your point on having a one of a kind set.
Its prob a bit like tying your own flys

Check out the post "Sinister Darts- Custom Stuff"

Quote :

Check out the post "Sinister Darts- Custom Stuff"

I saw! Nice looking stuff, but still think at this point I'll go through Fellow Canadian Jeff Pickup.

In the end though I may never get this done, but if and when I do you can bet there are going to pictures posted!! (of me shooting back to back 180's of course! )

HA HA
Best of luck with the back to back still evades me but been sooooooo close a few times.
Those Jeff Pickup darts look Interesting and I suppose if ya go through him youll do Canada prouid

of to go try the weekly challenge prod get someware around 390 I recon.