The Winmau Blade 5 dual core dartboard is one of the best dartboards on the market and definitely a board you should use if you want to train like a pro. This model features the latest in dartboard technology, providing a significantly lower bounce out rate compared to competing models. It’s also equipped with an inner layer that offers higher compression fibers for improved durability.
The density of the board can result in more bounce outs if you don’t change up your throw to compensate for this thicker bristle design. Overall, the manufacturer does deliver in terms of a tougher board, more surface area, and a durable mounting system that keeps the board solidly in place.
Overview and Features
If you’re looking for a family-friendly game, darts can be the perfect option. The Winmau Blade 5 dartboard features a vibrantly colored finish and an increased surface area that will lead to higher scores. The board’s durable design, combined with the innovative materials used to combat bounce outs, are just a couple of reasons why this board is crushing the competition.
Our Rating:
- Dual core
- Durable
- Thin spider design
- High-quality sisal fibers
- Durable mounting system
- Excellent for beginners and advanced players
- Tournament design
Design
The board comes equipped with wire lattice material that is approximately 14% thinner than models produced by the manufacturer in the past. This thinner design will help reduce bounce out rates by as much as 30%, thanks to the cut angle the does an excellent job of minimizing deflection. Additionally, the board’s premium build includes wiring made out of carbon diffused galvanized steel wiring.
Core
The board’s core is high-density and made out of thick sisal fibers that feature impressive tensile strength for a surface that’s durable and impressively hard.
Mount
The easy to install mount and lock system includes a variety of adjustable points for a more secure and stable mount design.
Sisal Fibers
If you’re looking for the best bristle dartboard, you’ll be impressed with the quality of the board’s sisal fibers. These fibers are derived from the agave plant, which is used due to the plant’s flexibility and strength.
This particular model is made out of East African sisal that’s has been tightly packed, producing a dense, high-quality surface that prevents bounce outs, making it perfect for pro dartboard tournaments. The tighter and thicker the sisal fibers are, the better the board is able to heal itself, so a hole will completely disappear once a dart is removed. This type of impressive strength means you’ll have a board that will last year after year.
Spider
The spider plays an important role and is what really impacts a person’s ability to consistently achieve a high score. When the quality of the spider is lacking, which is often the case with low-quality boards, then a player’s score can diminish over time.
Winmau has minimized the spider’s surface area by 14%. The use of thinner wire for the spider works to increase the board’s overall scoring surface by as much as nine millimeters in the doubles and six millimeters in the triples.
Winmau accomplished this by producing radial wires that are 10% thinner and sector wires that are 20% thinner compared to the wires used on competing models, such as the popular Viper Shot King.
With these improvements, a player can easily achieve a higher score. Less wire means a bigger surface area, which equals more space for darts to land.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, the manufacturer has also achieved a 30% reduction in the cut angle of the wiring. This optimized angle means that when a dart hits the wire there’s a higher chance that it’s deflected inwards, towards the board instead of bouncing out.
Tensile Strength
When it comes to manufacturing a dartboard, the materials that are used can go a long way toward improving the player’s overall experience.
Some dart manufacturers are now mechanically altering the points of their darts to enhance a dart’s ability to pierce a board. While the classic smooth point darts are a better choice for the longevity and health of a board, they’re falling out of favor. A hooked and blunt dart point is becoming the norm. While this can increase a player’s score, the longevity of the dartboard takes a major hit.
Winmau has worked around this issue by increasing the tensile strength of the spider by 20%. This improved durability is due to the use of carbon diffused wires, as well as the impressively hard surface. The combination of these two factors protects the board from damage over time. It also encourages the points of the darts to easily glide past the angled rings and the wires for improved board durability and player performance.
Mounting Bracket
In most cases, you can quickly set up a game of darts by hanging the board using an included mount. Unfortunately, low-quality boards come with hangers that are flimsy and tend to give out when you least expect it. This can be a big letdown for most buyers who often have to run out and purchase a different type of mount to prevent the board for moving or sliding out of place.
This model comes with a mounting bracket that’s well-designed.
Rota Lock System
The manufacturer developed a Rota lock system that consists of a level kit and triple wheel lock that enables the smooth rotation of the board and perfect radial alignment.
A player can independently adjust each radial lock wheel for a board that’s perfectly balanced and stable, even on an uneven surface. The Rota lock system makes the board impressively stable, which makes it a perfect choice for dartboard tournaments. This board will not move an inch, rock, or budge once the radial wheels are locked in place.
Proper dartboard maintenance requires the regular rotation of the board. This will prevent wear and tear on the sisal surface. With the Blade 5, all you have to do is remove the number ring, rotate it, then place the number ring back on without having to readjust and remove the entire board. This system makes setting up your dartboard a breeze, wherever you go.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- Rota lock system
- Impressive tensile strength
- Thinner spider surface area
- Dense sisal fibers
- Easy to install mount
- Reduced wire cut angle
Cons
- Density of the sisal fibers can result in more bounce outs
- The price
Conclusion and Rating
Our Rating:
The Winmau Blade 5 earned a score of five out of five stars for its innovative design including the reduced cut angle and thinner spider. The Rota locking system, easy maintenance and fast installation give dart fans every reason to buy.
If you’re looking for a pro-quality dartboard, or one you can proudly mount in the family rec room, this latest model by Winmau is a steal for the price.
