Article: Darts come in many different materials, from wood to plastic to metals like brass, nickel, and silver. Unless you're a professional player, the material you go with will mostly be a matter of preference. It's possible to become an expert thrower with any material, so long as its properly weighted and easy to hold. Nickel or silver darts are a good choice for newer players, as they're well-balanced, relatively durable, and less pricey than darts made with pro-grade materials. Tungsten is the most popular material amongst skilled darts players due to its even weight and resistance to wear and tear. However, these advantages also make it considerably more expensive. The barrel is the part of the dart you hold while throwing. To determine what size and shape are best for you, you'll first need to figure out what grip you'll be using. The best way to do this is to take hold of the dart naturally and simply see how it feels in your hand. Barrels that are too bulky or slender around the grip point can easily throw off your technique. If you're new to the game, experiment with different grips, such as the 3-finger, 4-finger, and pencil grip, and settle on the one that feels most instinctive to you. Play at least one game with a set of light, medium, and heavy darts. Lightweight darts take less effort to throw, but have little control once they're in motion. By contrast, heavier darts tend to fly straight and true, but require more physical strength to throw accurately. If your throwing is inconsistent with every weight, it could be a sign that you need an in-between weight. Darts range in weight from 12 grams to a whopping 50 grams. This means that all players should be able to find a set that works for their preferred playing style. Where the dart is weighted is important, too. If the front end of the dart is loaded and you prefer to grip closer to the back, it will divebomb as soon as you release it. If there's too much weight in the back and you grip near the front, the entire dart can flip and cause you to miss your shot. Your best bet is to have most of the weight directly beneath the point where your fingers come together. Metal darts are imprinted with a fine tooth-like texturing known as knurling. Generally speaking, the more knurling there is around the barrel, the more secure your grip on the dart will be. Again, this is mostly a matter of preference. Some darts feature bumps or ridges rather than knurling to offer a more moderate amount of texture. Too much grip can actually be problematicif the knurling is especially sharp or deep, it may cause the dart to "stick" to your fingers, interfering with your release. Slick paints or coatings on the body of a set of darts may make them harder to hold onto than those with a plain metal finish.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Select a material. Pick out a comfortable barrel shape. Try out different weights. Match the barrel shape and weight to your preferred grip. Determine how much grip you want.