Sticking with darts this week, I have to talk a bit about one of the sharpest looking sets of darts in what I would term the beginner, intermediate range, although these beauties will find fans across the skill spectrum.
Coming from Harrows, the 'Black I.C.E.' steeltip range (a trademarked line) are that wonderful combination of sassy good looks and flat out performance.
As you might assume from the name these darts come in a black colour, and that usually translates into sharp good looks.
Black I.C.E., and their cousins I.C.E., are a range of 90 per cent tungsten darts from one of the leading manufacturers of darts. When the Harrows name is on a set of darts they are likely to be solid within their style.
In the case of the Black I.C.E. line the 90 per cent pure tungsten is fused with iron, nickel and zinc. The result is a shaft small enough for those triple-20 groupings.
The Harrows' tungsten mix is then cold extruded (I.C.E. = Isostatic Cold Extrusion), and reverse cut to create a uniform barrel of what the company literature states is "unrivaled concentricity and balance".
I might not suggest the Black Ice line is without rival, but I will agree they are darned nice darts.
To finish the shafts a "Black Titanium Nitride Coating is impregnated into the tungsten, creating a tough non-slip grip" details the company.
Whatever the exact process is the Black Ice darts have a 'grippy' feel, and yes an 'icy' black sheen.
The line comes in weights ranging from 21-to-25 grams, meaning most players will find a weight to their liking.
The one issue in that regard is each weight has a different shaft tooling. You might like the deep grooves of the 25-gram, as I do, but prefer a lighter choice, and that is not available in that tooling. In some cases it will mean have to adapt a bit in terms of preferred weight and grip pattern to throw these beauties.
When you do chose a set of Black I.C.E. darts two things will be certain. One, you are going to have a killer-looking set of darts, and yes looks do matter, otherwise there would not be 10,000 different designs for dart flights.
And secondly, you are going to get consistent, repeatable throws with these darts which have the grip to ensure excellent control.
Few sets out there will rival the combination of looks and playability, and you can add affordable as well.
For further information on availability in Canada check, www.fgbradleys.com/darts and the company website is at www.harrows-darts.com
I will put in another plug for two steel-tip darts leagues in the city too.
Saturday afternoons, action takes place at Gunner's Lounge in the Royal Canadian Legion Hall, starting at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday night the darts fly at the ANAVETs, starting at 7 p.m.
In both cases the leagues are for all skill levels, so no one needs to worry if they have troubles hitting the '20'. Players are encouraged to come out, participate, have fun and simple enjoy the fine sport of darts.
If anyone is interested in this game, or other board games feel free to contact [email protected]
