Dart Shafts

Different types of dart stems

Darts stems come in a variety of materials, types and lengths. Dart shafts are made from nylon, polycarbonate and aluminium. Dart shafts made of nylon or plastic are more common as they are a cheaper option, but as a result are less durable than other materials available and will need to be replaced more often. A dart shaft made of aluminium can be more expensive but will last much longer and will be less likely to be damaged during play.

The Mission Darts Sabre range is a popular choice as they combine the lightness and strength of polycarbonate with the flight-grip of aluminium shafts. A Sabre dart stem is made from a strong polycarbonate material, but also feature an aluminium core and fixed top which helps enhance the grip of the flight.

The two types of darts stems are locked and spinning. A spinning shaft tend to be more expensive than locked shafts and are catered for a more competitive player. A spinning shaft will help prevent deflections and your darts falling out of the dartboard, as when a dart makes contact with them they will 'spin' and make way for the next dart to enter the board.

Darts shafts come in a variety of different sizes such as mini, extra short, short, tweenie and medium, while brands such as Cosmo have a wider range available that are numbered from 1 (shortest) to 8 (longest).

Does the choice of dart stem make a difference?

While small in stature, a darts stem can still influence the dart overall and how it travels through the air. The size of your darts stem will impact the overall length of your dart, which, combined with different shapes of stems, will alter the trajectory of your darts and how they land in the board. 

The material of the darts stem can also make a difference to the dart trajectory. For example, metal dart stems will be heavier than ones that are made of nylon or polycarbonate. While a slight difference, the choice of darts stem does alter the overall weight of your dart and can affect how it flies through the air.

How to choose a dart stem that works for you

The main things to consider when choosing a darts stem are the length and material. You should also think about where you hold the dart, as the effect the shaft has relates to its centre of gravity. If you hold the dart towards the front (nearer to the point) then go with a short stem, while a longer shaft will work best if you hold the dart towards the back of the barrel (nearer to the flight).

For beginners, most new darts sets will come with a set of short darts stems. These are a good size of stem to begin with as they are in the middle of the commonly used size guide for stems. For professionals, it varies on the shafts darts players use in tournament play. Michael van Gerwen goes with a nylon ring grip shaft, while Josh Rock opts for a polycarbonate shaft.

If you are a beginner, why not pick up one of our darts stems research packs and try out a load of different stems to see what works best for you? We have a huge range of darts stems, but if you want something a little more bespoke, Darts Corner offers a personalised section where you can customise various different darts items, including personalised stems.

Need some help on what darts stems to go for? Check out our how to choose a stem blog for a more in-depth guide. You can also use our contact us page to get in touch with our customer services team who will be able to help you with any queries you might have. Darts Corner has an expert team on hand to help with your questions.