There are dart reviews, and then there are moments where a piece of equipment briefly transcends its own material reality and becomes something closer to a ceremonial artefact. Standing pitchside for Darts World, roving reporter AJ Urmston-Toft encountered precisely that sensation when the Jonny Clayton Red Dragon 50th Anniversary set emerged from its packaging like a relic excavated from a tungsten reliquary.
First Impressions
Before a dart is ever thrown, this set announces itself visually with unashamed opulence. The presentation box does not whisper restraint; it declares occasion. Gold and black dominate the aesthetic, not in a gaudy way, but with a measured, almost ceremonial authority. This is anniversary gold – burnished, deliberate, and steeped in legacy. Each set is individually numbered, lending the entire experience a sense of scarcity and reverence, as though ownership itself is a privilege rather than a transaction.
Lift the lid and the barrels immediately command attention. Straight, uncompromising, and beautifully proportioned, they wear their design philosophy proudly. The front section greets the eye with wide-cut ring grip that looks purposeful without appearing aggressive. It suggests control rather than abrasion. As the barrel transitions rearward, the texture subtly evolves, introducing a secondary grip profile that feels engineered rather than decorative. For the player who craves repeatability, this dart practically insists on it. Wherever the fingers land, the barrel seems to guide them back to the same place, time after time, throw after throw.
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Testing
Once airborne, the balance becomes the story. These darts do not fight the thrower. They do not wobble, nor do they demand adjustment. The straight barrel and tapered nose combination create a clean, obedient flight path that rewards a smooth, rhythmic action. There is something deeply satisfying about watching them leave the hand and settle into the board with quiet inevitability, as if they were always destined for that destination.
In The Box
The accompanying setup only heightens the visual drama. Clayton’s signature flights and stems harmonise perfectly with the barrel design, while the additional Red Dragon gold-and-black flights reinforce the commemorative theme. Nitro stems complete the ensemble, adding both resilience and cohesion.
Summary
As a complete package, this is Red Dragon at its most confident. The barrels, the flights, the stems, the commemorative plaque, the point holder – all housed within a presentation box that feels worthy of display rather than storage.
It is, in every sense, a collector’s piece that still yearns to be thrown. A dilemma that simultaneously seduces the aspiring thrower while appealing to the disciplined restraint and reverent sensibilities of the committed collector.
180 Review
For devotees of The Ferret, this is not merely a set of darts. It is a celebration of achievement, identity, and craftsmanship – a 50th anniversary offering that feels as substantial in the hand as it looks to the eye. Purchase these and other items from the Red Dragon 50th Anniversary Collection
—–ENDS—-
Supported by Pinnacle Darts – Yorkshire’s Premier Dart Shop 🎯 – 11 Wellgate, Ossett, WF5 8NS, Wakefield. Contact On Whatsapp 📲07368 129056 or online at www.pinnacledarts.co.uk
Images: Red Dragon Darts
Words: Editorial Team
Review: A.J. Urmston-Toft
