One of the most common questions I get from new players is which dartboard to buy? After all, anyone looking to take their skill to the next level has to get a dartboard to practice at home. You simply cannot become a better darts player by playing with your mates at the pub every other week or so.
What do I say to these people? Well, my answer is always, The Winmau Blade 5, of course
Winmau has been building dartboards since 1997, so when you purchase a Winmau dart board, you are getting more than 20+ years of technological breakthroughs and manufacturing experience.
And then I’m invariably hit with a follow-up question a couple of days later. “Which one? There’s more than one type of Blade 5 dartboard!”
And it’s true! Currently, there are several models of the Blade 5 you can purchase However, in my experience, the choice comes down to:
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What’s The Difference Between Blade 5 And Blade 5 Dual Core?
The Blade 5 and the Blade 5 Dual Core are a very similar dartboard. The difference is that the Dual Core has an extra layer of sisal fibers, giving it added durability and longevity over the standard Blade 5.
To the uninitiated eye, both of these dartboards may look the same, but the difference in their construction warrants a conversation. So let’s see what each one has to offer.
What Is A Dual-Core Dartboard?
A dual-core dartboard is a dartboard that has a second layer of sisal fiber in its core. This second core helps grip the darts, adds durability, and prolongs the life of the dartboard.
If you scour the market, you will find it is a technology that is almost exclusive to Winmau boards. I did find a few other no-name boards that also claim to be “dual core”, but these boards were so cheap, I have my doubts.
Let’s Take A Look At The Winmau Blade 5
Just seeing the name Winmau on the box should be enough to tell you that this is going to be a high-quality dartboard. Like I mentioned earlier, Winmau has a reputation for making quality dartboards for a long time now.
What might surprise some people is that the Winmau Blade 5 is actually their highest selling dartboard of all time!
So what sets this board apart from the heaps of other dart boards on the market?
Winmau has managed to increase the playable scoring area in both the double and treble scoring areas, and they managed to do so without making the board more cumbersome or altering its total dimensions.
And how did they manage to do this? Thinner spider wiring, that’s how. Winnmau managed to make their wire thinner (a reduction of 14% less wiring to be exact). This means that you end up with a higher scoring potential over the previous Winmau Blade 4, which were already fantastic in this regard.
Another area of improvement over previous generations is the number of bounce-outs you will avoid when playing with the new and improved Blade 5. Once again, Winmau has managed to vastly improve the player experience with another change in the wiring.
Winmau reduces the degree of the wire angles, which means that darts that would previously bounce outwards, now get guided in towards the dart board.
Another practical and overlooked improvement is the inclusion of a triple wheel Rota-Lock system that significantly reduces the time that the player has to dedicate to the board’s installation and rotation. With the triple wheel lock-and-level system, you can easily attach this board to pretty much any surface.
Here is the bottom line: The Winmau Blade 5 is a fantastic bristle dart board no matter which way you look at it. “Best” is the word I would use to describe the experience of playing darts with one of these bad boys.
- Professional bristle dartboard with exclusive British Darts Organization (BDO) endorsement
- Increased scoring area with 14% thinner wiring system than the previous generation Blade 4 for higher scoring potential
- Reduced bounce-outs and improved dart deflection with 30-degree reduction in razor wire angle
- Triple Wheel lock-and-level system easily secures the dartboard to virtually any surface
So how can Winmau expect to improve on what’s already a significant improvement over their previews work?
Well, let’s see what makes the Winmau Blade 5 Dual Core so special!
The Winmau Blade 5 Dual Core
You can see, the Blade 5 does not disappoint. However, the No products found. model is looking to improve things even more for those willing to spend a bit more money. But does it really giving you more bang for your buck, or is this a case of aggressive marketing?
In my experience, all Winmau products represent the highest quality craftsmanship and design. They consistently offer first-class performance. The Blade 5 Dual Core does not disappoint in this regard.
Like the standard Blade 5 model, the Dual Core also features thinner wire and increased surface area for better playing experience. This board, being part of the Blade family of products, shares the reduced angles in all of its surface-wiring.
The Dual Core even includes the same fantastic Rota-Lock feature as the standard Blade 5. This impressive bit of engineering provides infinite convenience because it lets you mount your board on any surface and at any angle and rotate with ease.
As you can see, the Blade 5 Dual Core is pretty much in line with what you have come to expect from a modern, high-performance bristle dart board. In that regard, the Blade 5 and the Blade 5 Dual Core are pretty much the same. However, there is one way in which they diverge.
The Blade 5 Dual Core’s namesake is what sets it apart from the rest of Winmau’s boards and many other sisal boards readily available on the market.
Winmau has given us, by way of this board, an elegant solution to a messy problem.
Generally speaking, dart boards take a beating over the span of their lifetime. The constant wear and tear to which they are submitted will take its toll; sooner, rather than later.
Well used dartboards wear out quickly. The Blade 5 Dual Core solves this.
Instead of one sisal fiber, the dual-core has 2! One outer core that sports a lower compression to allow significant dart penetration, and an inner core with a much higher compression rating that provides the board with much higher durability.
The dual cores provide players with the best experience possible. Once you play on a dual-core board, there’s no going back because, in addition to lasting longer, there is a drop in the number of bounce-outs you get.
Simply playing on a Blade 5 Dual Core can make you a better player.
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So Is the Blade 5 Dual Core Worth It?
Yes. If you are buying a dartboard, it is worth spending the extra money to get the dual core version of the Blade 5. The second core will make sure your dartboard lasts longer, thus saving you money in the long run.
Both bristle boards are a fantastic addition to any setup. The Blade 5 is certainly no slouch and is already a vast improvement over previous generations. However, the Blade 5 Dual Core offers an undeniable advantage and in my opinion, is worth the slightly higher price.
There is a reason why all of the world’s leading darts organizations hold Winmau so dearly. Whether you are just starting on your darts journey or you are an avid professional, it is hard to go wrong when you choose a board form the Blade family.
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What About The Winmau Champions Choice Dartboard?
The Champions Choice is a Blade 5 dartboard designed for training. It has 50% smaller doubles and triples sections, along with a reduced bullseye. It also offers high visibility colors for enhanced contrast.
Due to the changes in the scoring sections, the Champions Choice is not a regulation dartboard, and should not be purchased for regular play. It is a specialized training board designed to improve efficiency in high value targets.
That being said, it is still a great dart board. If you are serious about your training, there is nothing wrong with picking this up as a secondary dartboard. You can check the price on Amazon here.
