When it comes to dartboards, Winmau is a name that stands out in the world of professional and recreational darts. Winmau dartboards are popular among players of all skill levels because of their reputation for dependability, accuracy, and creative design. This guide will explore the history, varieties, features, and maintenance advice of Winmau dartboards, in addition to highlighting their unique qualities.
History of the Winmau Dartboards
Winmau was founded in 1945 by Harry Kicks in London (UK) and is one of the world’s leading dartboard manufacturers. As far as is known, Harry Kicks was an ex-Sargent major and named it after his wife Winifred Maud.
Originally named H.A. Kicks, the company was rebranded as Winmau in 1961 (pronounced Winmore), after Harry’s wife’s maiden name. In 2002, Nodor acquired Winmau, but the brand continues to operate under its original name, known for innovation in dartboard technology.
Winmau gained prominence for producing high-quality bristle dartboards, particularly the Blade series, which became the standard for professional competitions. The brand’s reputation grew through partnerships with leading darts organizations and players, including their sponsorship of the BDO (British Darts Organization) World Championship for decades.
Later in 2020, after BDO activities were stopped, Winmau Company included their brand sponsorship with the PDC (Professional darts Corporation) World Darts Championship.
Types of Dartboards
Winmau Bristle Dart board
The Winmau Bristle Dart Board is one of the most famous dartboards on the market due to its quality and longevity. It is made from the high-quality African sisal bristle fibers and has high self-healing capacity, thus has a long durability regardless of how frequently used it is.
Winmau Bristle dartboards are often used in professional competitions, including the prestigious World Darts Championship. Its superior craftsmanship makes it a favorite among both professional and casual players.
Winmau Electronic Dart Board
It is suitable for newcomers and experienced players, as it never gets boring due to the different variations of the games. It’s LED display and electronic scoring system make the score entry very smooth and accurate. This board is played with soft-tip darts, which is why it’s also called the soft-tip dartboard.
In the early 2000s, they introduced their first line of electronic dartboards to compete with others. This strategic move allowed Winmau to cater to both traditionalists and modern enthusiasts.
Key Features of these Dartboards
Winamu dartboards are known for their brand reputation and quality. Some of their key features are given below:
Durability
Winmau dartboards are built to last and are a favorite amongst both regular and professional players. They are made from premium Kenyan sisal fibres, tightly packed to create a dense self-healing surface. The fibres areclose up naturally after each dart is removed extending the life of the board.
Design
The black, white, red and green colour contrast makes the scoring zones easy to see even in low light. Winmau also has a robust mounting system so the board is easy to fit and stays in place. The design is a balance of style and function, making Winmau boards look good and work well. This reduces distractions so you can focus on your game.
Blade Technology
Winmau is a one of the major features is blade technology. It changes the way of these dartboards perform. There is ultra-thin angled wiring that reduces bounce-outs after throwing the darts into the scoring segments.
The blade wiring is also embedded deeper into the dartboard, reducing the stress on the sisal fibers and making the board more durable. By using this technology, even after frequent use, this board is last for a long time.
Tournament Quality
To make the board suitable for playing in an international tournament, Winmau follows all the standards when making the board. They are exactly built to meet the standards set by major dart organizations, including the World Darts Federation (WDF) and Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).
Rotating Number Ring
A Rotating Number Ring is a feature available on top-quality dartboards like Winmau’s that helps extend the life of the board. This metal ring with numbers 1 to 20 can be rotated around the board. By rotating the ring every now and then, players can spread the wear more evenly across the board’s surface and prevent damage to specific areas especially the high-traffic areas like the 20 or bullseye.
Ease of Setup
These boards are easy to set up or install in your desired place. These dartboards have clear instructions, pre-fitted mounting brackets, and all the hardware, so it’s a simple setup. Proper height and angle setup is easy by following the given instructions. Many boards are also designed to fit on different types of walls, so they’re suitable for home and tournament use.
Dartboard Cabinet
There are available Winmau professional dartboard cabinets on the market. Although dart boards with these cabinets were available on the market long ago, nowadays very good-quality cabinets are available. This cabinet protects the board from various kinds of accidents and dirt.
Maintaining Your Winmau Dartboard
Maintaining your Winmau dartboard is key to keeping it in good condition and ensuring a consistent playing experience. Here are some guidelines for appropriate maintenance:
Regular Rotation
The main step to keeping a board in good condition is regular rotation. Since Winmau boards have the option to rotate, so if you regularly rotate numbers from 1 to 20 after heavy use, then the board will last for a long time.
Keep it Clean
This necessitates the use of a soft wipe most of the time or a vacuum cleaner with brush-like attributes. The board may get damaged if you use any cleaning solutions or water in any form.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Dartboards should not be placed near sources of light, heat, or any form of direct sunlight or artificial heat. The board discolors when exposed to sunlight and should not be exposed to light for long as it deteriorates very fast.
Check for Loose Staples or Wires
Ensure that the staples and the wires that are used in fixing the dartboard are well fixed. Sometimes screws are loose or wires are present, and these have to be fixed or removed in order not to give the wrong impression of the board.
Proper Hanging
Check that the board is fixed well, and let it have the proper angle with the ground. A curved board will also interrupt when you are doing your throws; throws will not be perfect.
Replace Worn-Out Parts
Some parts of your board may get damaged after using it for a long time, and some worn parts may come out. At that time, you can quickly buy parts from the market and replace the worn-out parts without delay. This will cause the damaged parts to not spread as fast.
Avoid Using Steel-Tip Darts on a Soft-Tip Board
However, if you are in possession of soft tip darts do not use steel tip darts because they are likely to cause damage to the dartboard. The same applies to your board type, as there are specific darts for boards and specific materials.
Some Best Winmau Dartboards
Winmau Blade 4
The Winmau Blade 4 is one of the best dartboards due to its construction as well as its performance. It has thin wiring that minimizes bounce-outs and allows players to achieve more points. Blade 4 is crafted from superior sisal fibers and offers a durable playing surface that also reforms when the darts are picked up. It is currently being employed in professional competitions and is beloved by serious darts enthusiasts due to its uniformity and quality.
Winmau Blade 5
The Winmau Blade 5 is one of the most efficient technological advancements in darts that aims at improving the playing experience. In this case, it has incorporated several improvements on top of the features that were incorporated in Blade 4.
It has been further refined with a thinner wiring system in the Blade 5, lowering the probability of bounce-outs and expanding the scoring surface even more. Blade 5 is produced from natural and highly durable sisal fibers, enabling the surfaces to become self-healing, preventing the board from wearing out over time.
Winmau Blade 5 Dual Core
The Winmau Blade 5 Dual Core is one of the highest-end dart boards, created to deliver the best performance and durability. It includes the two-core design where the outer layer is relatively soft for penetration while the internal layer is much denser, more durable, and minimizes bounce. This revolutionary design allows for a longer-lasting playing surface as well as superior dart gripping.
Additionally, the Blade 5 Dual Core has a triple wheel lock and level system for a secure fit and easy rotation for consistent performance and longevity. This dartboard is a top choice for professional players and serious enthusiasts seeking the best in precision, durability, and playability.
Winmau Blade 6 Triple Core
The Winmau Blade 6 Triple Core is a best-in-class dartboard that has been created specifically for high performance and longevity. The latest development is the ‘triple-core technology’ which has three layers of sisal for the best play surface. The outer coat is developed to be brightly colored for scoring, the second layer enables darts to be easily thrown on without much slipping off and the inner layer is sturdy for better retention of the darts.
Winmau Diamond Plus
The Winmau Diamond Plus is a high-quality dartboard known for its precision and durability. It has wiring in the shape of a diamond, which increases the scoring area and lowers the likelihood of bounce-outs. Enhancing the possibility of scoring is the thin wire structure that guides darts into the scoring zones.
Since the Diamond Plus dartboard is composed of high-quality sisal fibers, it has a self-healing surface that will not deteriorate with time. It is appropriate for both casual gamers and serious fans because the board is made to function consistently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the largest dartboard company?
As one of the most proactive darts businesses in terms of product innovation and marketing, Winmau has been in business for more than 70 years. In this case, if we consider the professionals, then Winmau is one of the oldest professional dartboard companies.
Is Winmau better than unicorns?
Durability is a major feature that sets these two companies apart. Winmau dartboards are renowned for their exceptional endurance, according to a number of sources. The main reason for this is that they were made with superior sisal fibers. The triple core technology is another feature that Winmau dartboards use to increase their lifetime and durability. Considering the demand in the market, the Wnimau can be said to be better than the Unicorn.
Where is Winmau dartboard made?
Winmau Dartboard Company Ltd. was established in 1945 in Bridgend, Wales, United Kingdom (UK). Winmau was purchased by rival dartboard maker Nodor in 2002. John Bluck is the head of Nodor, and both brands are still in production. Although the boards are made in Kenya, the company’s headquarters are in Bridgend, South Wales.