I have always thrown a straight barrel dart with a level 5 grip. Either Barneys with Phantom grip to begin with and progressing to McCoy Sabers , Winmau Sabotages, Rastas , Jabbas and Razor edges rom RD.
I bought a set of phase 5's a year ago and tried them for a few minutes and then just dismissed them and me Missus (Diana) took them and fell in love with them. Since that time I have 24-26 gm Razor grip darts everywhere! and enjoy them and have had really good success with this straigth barrel level 5 type grip. Oh did I mention I have Bears and double 16 elites too. I bought a set of Andy Hamiltons from my good friend Getagrip and threw them for a few minutes and dismissed them. Well the missus picked up on them and used them. Since then the phase 5's just setting in the case all alone, I was considering selling but this morning going around the board on doubles for the fun it I broke out the phase 5's, of course a totally different dart, short stumpy with at best a level 4 grip right. My first three darts hit the intended double and the feel of the dart though strange felt really good. Hmm honey mooning me thinks. I continued on and though I missed some doubles they were like very close, in fact a lot closer misses than me razor type darts. So I have a rule that when playing in league I always stay with the same dart until the season is over right? but and a big but is these all of a sudden feel right for me ! Is it honey mooning? don't really know but gonna give them a shot the next few days. Been looking at the phase 6's before all this and they may be in my future. So will find out soon about this honey moon stuff.

When I started playing again just over 18 months ago I used a stumpy shape dart to ok success. I then got a set of Harrows Aliens, another stumpy bomb shape and again ok success. Since then though I've been using straight barrelled darts with a good level of success.

Having said this I am tempted to try the phase 5/John Lowe shaped barrels again to see how they fly for me, especially as my main season is now over, and the singles league I'm thinking about won't be for another couple of months.

My thoughts on your predicament are, if your season is over (or you only have a game or two left with nothing much to play for), then try the Phase 5's out for a week or two and see if they still feel comfortable after that period. If it is a honeymoon period you will see a drop off in your play after a couple of days and it won't really come back - so a couple of weeks is a good test.

If they still feel comfortable at the end then keep using them - if they don't then go back to the trusted sabres.

I agree with MC. Honeymoon period can last for a bit. Give it a couple weeks.

I agree with Mac and MC. Plus, even if it is a honey moon phase I'm big on using whatever feels right. Even if it is for a short period of time.

I think your just turning into Taylor Larry, lol! he used the straight barrels then switched to that John Lowe shape of dart, so subconciously your following your hero

Seriously though, I think like has been said you will need to try them for a few weeks to be sure.

Last week I used my Whitlocks and I struggled all week which surprised me, because the last time I used them I hit 2 180's with them.

I was taking 30 to 35 mins to complete my 15 marks of flight school.

This past week I went back to my old Fury 2's 21g, I completed the routine in less than 20 mins each day and yesterday I did it my quickest ever in 10 mins, not trying to beat myself though but just observing how easily I was hitting my marks.

I am going to use them for the next 2 weeks and see if the times are consistent.

I often wonder though if switching the darts is not creating some kind of mental relaxation which means you throw the dart better at first?

Then when you get more familiar with the dart it seems to lose it's affect?

Excellent post Darren and you may be on to the relaxation thing or maybe more focus could be it hmmmmm time will tell

Maybe trying a not so aggressive grip, Larry?? My current setup is level 4-5 grip and I plan to try Adrian Lewis' darts. Hopefully they will come along one month from now. Will buy the phase 5 also for collectibles

All this bemuses me and quite honestly brings a smile to my lips.
On one topic nearly everyone attests to the thesis of (just picking up a dart and bunging them), which usually brings agreement and mutual scribed back slapping.
Then this?