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Widdy is one of several companies that manufacture darts for use on
American dart boards. These darts are completely unlike those used in
English board games. |
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The darts are composed of several different elements. The most obvious
trait is that the body is a single piece of wood. |
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The darts come it at roughly 5 3/4" in total length. The barrel of a
Widdy dart is thick, roughly 1 5/8" around at its largest point. |
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The barrel is tapered though, so it's wider towards the front of the
dart and much slimmer in the rear where the flights are attached. |
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The weight of the an American dart lies in its nose. That's where the
steel tip is inserted into the body of the dart. The point extends 1 1/4"
out of a metal base that is attached to the barrel. To provide some sense
of balance, there is a section of lead that is inserted into the barrel,
so the dart is not so front heavy that it couldn't fly properly. |
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Widdys have three flights attached to them in a triangle pattern. They
are also hotstamped with the words "Official Tournament" and "Widdy Dart
Mfg. Philadelphia PA No. 1" on them. They also have an identifying blue
band around them. |
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For years we used to refer to them as simply blue darts. That was
during a time when Apex used a Red band and Widdy used a blue band. There
were no other dart makers of note at the time. |
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$2.50
Each |
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$25.95 a Box of 12 |
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The flights on an Apex are cut into the sharp-edged form, unlike the
rounded edges of a Widdy. And, Apex is open to the idea of using as many
colors as they can to decorate their flights. You can find Apex darts with
. . . Yellow, Purple, Green, Blue, Red, Orange, Pink, Black, White, and
combinations. |
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The feathers flights are also smaller than those found on a Darto or
Widdy dart, giving the dart a more streamlined profile. |
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The band between the barrel and the flight sections of the dart is red.
That band is actually a piece of thread these days, glued into place,
rather than a plastic band. |
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The barrels themselves are made of white birch. |
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The lead insert that binds the steel tip to the wooden barrel is
different on an Apex than on any other dart. It is "taller" than the
others, so instead of being flat and fat it is thinner and reaches more
towards the sharp tip. |
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Apex darts are more expensive than the other American style darts.
Because of that, you are more likely to find Dartos and Widdys at a place
like your local tavern. Still, there is a loyal crowd of dart shooters
that swear Apex darts are more accurate than either the Widdys or the
Dartos. |
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$4.50
Each |
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$45.95 a Box of 12 |
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A Little About Apex: |
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Apex was founded in 1912 by Charles High. Originally, they made
ladders. That didn't last long, and within a decade of being formed, the
company turned it's efforts towards the manufacture of dartboards and
darts. |
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In 1946 the company was sold to Robert Glass, who ran operations until
he passed away in the mid 80's. Now (2008), Robert Glass Jr. is at the
helm, and they're still turning out hand-made darts and boards. |
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