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Different types of Darts
Steel Tip Darts - There are two options with steel tipped darts, you can have a fixed point or a moveable point or tip. A fixed point is a point or tip (see parts of a dart page) is as the name suggests, fixed into the dart and cannot be moved. A fixed point is the most common tip on darts. Darts with moveable tips can be moved to adjust to the throwers most comfortable position.
Steel tip darts are designed to help prevent the likelihood of a bounce-out when hitting the board. It will not prevent bounce-outs completely, but they will reduce the amount of times a dart bounces- out of the board.
Soft Tip Darts - the difference between a soft tip dart and a steel tip dart is the width of the opening of the barrel, not the action of the point or tip. Alike the steel tip, there are also two options available with soft-tip darts, there is a 1/4 inch size or a 2BA size. The 1/4 inch size is the wider of the two options, the 2BA is more narrow and is the most commonly used soft tip.
All types of Darts either have a steel tip or a soft tip or point on. When referring to Brass, Nickel/Silver and Tungsten darts, it specifically means the material that the barrel of the dart is made from.
Brass Darts - These are the least expensive type of darts made up of brass, which is a dense metal therefore making the darts easy to handle.
Brass darts have a soft machined grip that can quickly wear away and dull. These darts are the darts that you will see in pub and taverns and when playing darts in the home. These darts are the most ideal for beginner players as they are cost effective.
Nickel or Silver Darts - These darts consist of either silver or nickel a dense material. They are more durable and the grip does not wear away as quickly as it does with the brass darts. Again, these darts are an ideal choice for beginner darters as they are easy to handle.
Tungsten Darts - These darts are made up of Tungsten, a highly dense metal that is heavier than lead. It's highly dense properties means that the darts are highly resistant to wear and the grip remains for much longer.
The grooves machined into the grip are roughly knurled, however they do wear away over time from skin acid that rubs off the skin when holding the darts. They also wear away from friction made when hitting other darts in the board. Initially Tungsten only made up a small percentage of the barrel around 40-50%, however nowadays Tungsten Darts contain between 80-95% Tungsten and they are the heaviest feeling darts out of all types.
Tungsten Darts will typically have smaller barrels compared to other darts, specifically designed to improve the feel of the darts when throwing and also better grouping of the darts.
Darts that are made up of a higher percentage of Tungsten are the most dense darts and they are the best quality darts available.