Sharpening Darts?

[MitchWardle]

I want to sharpen the points on my darts but I have a flat rectangular sharpening stone, I looked online on how to sharpen them and all the videos and webpages I looked at they had one with a circular inside to sharpen the dart evenly. I know how to sharpen the dart as its not exactly rocket science haha but is there any certain technique to sharpen them with a flat stone so that the points and even and not sharper on one side? if this makes sense

[Ancient Darter]

Been doing that all this while.

Simply rotate/spin the dart as you sharped the points.

[Crusher17]

you dont want a sharp point it's better to scuff the sides

[gumbo2176]

Like Crusher said. I use a piece of 100 grit sandpaper on a flat surface and grab the dart by the barrel then rub the sides of the points in a cross direction to the dart, not in line with the dart. This scuffs the sides of the points and helps them grip a lot better in the board.

[OreoGaborio]

Yup. Sharp points are more prone to "bite" into the spider and bounce out, as opposed to hit & glance off to the side.

If the point got flattened, then sure, round it off, but you don't want a sharp point. I like mine to be like a fine ball-point pen.

[Adams]

+1... If I had a point that got so dulled that it was having trouble sticking in the board, I’d probably sharpen it up a little bit. Short of that, I don’t sharpen mine.

[Banned]

Sharp points cut through sisal and damage it. A dullish point will push the sisal to the side. This allows the sisal to heal itself like it's supposed to. A sharp point will also ruin the metal spider a lot quicker than a dull point. In all my years of playing I have never sharpened a dart point. I've removed burrs but a sharp point is a no no imo.

[Milkysunshine]

Yup. Sharp points are more prone to "bite" into the spider and bounce out, as opposed to hit & glance off to the side.

If the point got flattened, then sure, round it off, but you don't want a sharp point. I like mine to be like a fine ball-point pen.

100% correct. A rounded, but narrow point is ideal. Look at a storm point vs standard sharp-ass spike that comes on most darts. That spike puts holes in spiders, especially on the bull.

[Donald]

I take the stems and flights off and put the barrel in a hand drill. The try to get a convex shape like a (samurai sword). Not pointed, but a tapered cone shape.

[Ancient Darter]

For clarity, I don't sharpen my points as in pin-point sharp (7 deg or less) like what you sometimes see on new dart points.

I scruff the sides to a narrow angle length-wise then put on a much wider angle to the point (like 20 - 30 deg) in an attempt to replicate the Storm ti points. Depending on the grit of stone I use and the points themselves, I may scruff the point parallel or perpendicular.

[Serial 7hriller]

I used to use the concrete step outside Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.. I never try to sharpen the points. Scuffing the sides is what makes the dart stick

[gumbo2176]

I used to use the concrete step outside Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.. I never try to sharpen the points. Scuffing the sides is what makes the dart stick

HEHEHE, I've done just that quite a few times when playing in venues with less than ideal boards. It will work well and is a good "go to" when in a pinch.

[Lathe Guy]

I don't sharpen points, only to take a flat off point. I usually us some rough grit sand paper and put a spiral on the point so it can stick better in the board. This does not damage the board.

[*Saber*]

scuffing just the points does sharpen them a little though

[endorfin]

Sharp points cut through sisal and damage it. A dullish point will push the sisal to the side. This allows the sisal to heal itself like it's supposed to. A sharp point will also ruin the metal spider a lot quicker than a dull point. In all my years of playing I have never sharpened a dart point. I've removed burrs but a sharp point is a no no imo.

Well put!

And remember to always remove any burrs created on the tips of your points. I believe my not doing so was the reason I got my first broken point - luckily it was just a couple of mm off the tip, so I was able to bring it back to working condition using a sharpening stone. I feel a round sharpening stone is just right for this job.