I want to walk you through a comparison between two dartboards from Windmore: the newer Blade 360 and the original Blade 6. The Blade 360 is essentially the same board as the Blade 6, but it comes with a smart design update that addresses a common issue many players face when rotating their boards.
You’ll see how these boards stack up against each other, with one being brand new and the other having been used for about six months with roughly an hour of play each day. The main difference isn’t in the build or materials, but in the graphics around the edge that make rotation easier without losing that clean, symmetrical look that many players prefer.
Key Takeaways
- The Blade 360 is the same quality board as the Blade 6 but features updated edge graphics for better rotation options
- After six months of daily use, the Blade 6 shows good durability with minimal bounce-outs during regular play
- The new graphite gray graphics on the Blade 360 maintain a symmetrical appearance no matter how you rotate the board
Introduction to Windmore Blade 360 and Blade 6
The Blade 360 from Windmore is essentially the same dartboard as the Blade 6. Both boards share identical construction and the same wireframe design.
The key difference between these two boards is the graphics printed around the edge. The Blade 360 features a unique design that allows you to rotate the board more frequently without disrupting the visual appearance.
Main Differences:
- Blade 6: Has the Windmore logo and various graphics at specific spots around the edge
- Blade 360: Uses repeating graphics in graphite gray that look symmetrical from any rotation
The Blade 360 solves a common issue with the original Blade 6. When you rotate the Blade 6 to extend its life, the logos and graphics don’t line up evenly. This creates an asymmetrical look that bothers many darts players who care about their setup appearance.
Purchase the Blade 360 Dartboard Here (Amazon)
The graphite gray graphics on the Blade 360 match the numbering on the board well. You can rotate this board as often as needed without worrying about how it looks afterward.
Board Performance
The Blade 6 performs excellently for bounce-outs. You rarely get bounce-outs unless you throw a poor dart. After six months of use at about an hour per day, the board holds up well even when playing around the clock rather than focusing only on the 20s segment.
When you receive the Blade 360, you may notice a few small bits of material that need removal from the packaging. The board quality matches what you expect from Windmore. Both boards maintain the same high construction standards and materials.
What Sets These Boards Apart
Custom Ring Graphics
The Blade 360 features updated graphics around the outer edge of the board. These graphics use a graphite gray color scheme that matches the numbering system well. The design differs from the Blade 6, which has the Windmor logo placed in specific locations around the board. This logo placement on the Blade 6 can create visual issues when you rotate the board.
Better Rotation Options
You can rotate the Blade 360 more frequently without affecting how the board looks. The Blade 6 has logos positioned at certain points, which means rotating it can make your setup look uneven. This becomes a problem if you regularly aim for the 20 segment and need to rotate your board to extend its life. The new graphics on the Blade 360 solve this issue by maintaining a consistent appearance no matter how you rotate it.
Visual Appeal of Numbers
The numbering on the Blade 360 pairs well with the graphite gray graphics. The color coordination creates a cleaner look compared to the standard Blade 6. Both boards use the same wireframe and construction, but the Blade 360’s numbering stands out more due to the matching color scheme.
Build Quality and Durability
Wire Framework Design
The Blade 360 uses the same wireframe structure as the Blade 6. Both boards feature identical wire construction and layout. The wire system performs the same way across both models.
Unboxing and First Look
The Blade 360 arrives in attractive packaging. When you remove it from the box, you’ll notice a few small bits that need to be pulled off. The board features graphite gray graphics around the edge that match the numbering really well. These edge graphics are different from the Blade 6, which has the Winmour logo and other markings at various positions. The new design lets you rotate the board more frequently while maintaining a symmetrical look. New dartboards have a pleasant smell when you first open them.
The build quality meets your expectations right out of the box. The materials and construction are solid.
Bounce Out Performance
The board performs well when it comes to bounce outs. After six months of use with about an hour of play per day, the Blade 6 has been excellent in this area. You won’t get many bounce outs unless you throw a bad dart.
The testing involved playing around the clock rather than focusing heavily on the 20s segment. Even with this varied use pattern over six months, the board maintained its quality. The sisal fibers and wire system continue to hold up well after regular daily use.
Purchase the Blade 360 Dartboard Here (Amazon)
New Board Compared to Well-Used Board
Fresh Out of the Box
The Blade 360 arrives in nice packaging. When you open it, you’ll find a board with the same construction as the Blade 6.
The graphics use a graphite gray color scheme. This matches the numbering on the board very well. The quality meets expectations right from the start.
You might notice a few small bits to remove from the packaging. The board has that distinct new dartboard smell that fresh boards have.
Six Months of Daily Play
The Blade 6 has seen about an hour of play each day for just over six months. The board performs well with bounce outs. You won’t get many unless you throw a bad dart.
The testing focused on playing around the clock rather than repeatedly hitting the 20s. The board condition remains good after this regular use pattern.
The graphics show where the board has been used most. The Winmau logo and other design elements sit at fixed positions. If you rotate the board to even out wear, these elements won’t line up symmetrically anymore. This can bother you if you care about your setup appearance.
Care and Small Problems
Both boards use the same wireframe design. The construction quality stays consistent between the two versions.
The main difference shows up when you want to rotate your board. The Blade 360’s graphics work around the edge so you can turn it more often. You won’t end up with logos in odd positions that break the symmetrical look.
The used board shows some wear but still plays well. Regular rotation helps distribute the wear across the board surface.
What You Need to Know Before Buying
The Blade 360 comes in nice packaging and looks great right out of the box. When you open it up, you’ll find a few small bits that need to be cleaned off, but nothing major. The board has a pleasant smell that all new dartboards seem to have.
Key Features:
- Graphite gray graphics around the edge
- Numbers that match well with the gray design
- Same wireframe as the Blade 6
- High-quality construction throughout
The graphics on this board are done in a nice graphite gray color. The numbering matches up really well with this color scheme. The quality is exactly what you’d expect from a board in this range.
Why the Design Matters
The big difference here is the graphics around the edge. Unlike boards with logos and other markings that sit at specific spots, this board has graphics that repeat around the entire edge. This means you can rotate the board whenever you want without worrying about how it looks.
If you play a lot and hit certain areas more than others, you’ll want to rotate your board. With regular boards that have logos in specific spots, rotating them can make your setup look off-center. This board solves that problem.
Purchase the Blade 360 Dartboard Here (Amazon)
What to Expect After Six Months
A board that gets used for about an hour every day holds up well after six months. You won’t get many bounce outs unless you throw a really bad dart. The board performs great even if you’re just playing around the clock instead of hammering the 20s.
The condition after six months of daily use is still good. The board keeps its shape and continues to work as it should. Bounce outs stay minimal with proper throws.
