Target Phil Taylor Power 9Five G8 Swiss Point 22 gram Darts

I admit it, I am a Phil Taylor fan boy, have been for years.

I love the clinical approach he had toward the game and the level of excellence and even humility he brought to the game.

A man with immense talent I am proud to say that my collection of Target brand Taylor Darts is only missing a few examples – Gen 1, Gen 4 and Gen 5 but I will fill the gaps eventually. My collection extends to the Unicorn versions too but enough of that for the minute.

The Taylor Gen 8 is a permutation of the standard profile in place since the Gen 6. There have been slight changes to the length of Gen 6, 7 and 8 and I believe that Target and Phil are on the money with the Gen8.

Over the last few years (during Covid) I experimented with the Taylor flight profiles and got to a point where I could actually play with them, and achieve ‘normal results in the way the darts sat in the board.

The Gen 8 is the shortest of the 3 barrels at 40mm long and the leanest with a maximum diameter of 7.55mm. Predominantly matt black (due to a PVD coating) with 4 Silver (natural Tungsten) rings at the front.

The essential shape of the Taylor style has been maintained it is a Torpedo shaped barrel with an elliptical nose 11.6mm long that ends at the major barrel diameter of 7.55mm. The maximum diameter continues for 12.5mm before tapering off to 12.9mm to meet the Shaft.

That is the simple version, the nose is adorned with 6 axial grooves that are eased into the front of the barrel and appear to increase their depth as they continue up the barrel finishing 1mm before the first groove section that continues for 5mm with natural highlights. The second grip section is also 5mm long and consists of 2 twin grooves with axial separations that match those on the nose of the dart. The rear tapers portion of the dart is covered in a tiny square cut pattern. My description just doesn’t do these dart justice the Matt PVD coating is amazing the darts not only look great they feel like nothing I’ve felt before, something akin to a metallic velour coating, I mean the look the feel is next level such a pleasant sensation is almost wrong!

At the Oche, I think they got these right 100%! In the hand there doesn’t appear to be a lot of physical grip profile but the coating makes up for where the dart grip falls short. Combine the barrel with the Gen 8 Shafts and we have a match like no other. The Gen 8 Titanium shaft is colour coded to match the barrel on the initial tapered portion of the shaft the square grip pattern is replicated in miniature, the colouring is not matt just black. Add the Gen 8 styled flights and we have a winner.

I’ve played with many Taylors darts and have always had to alter something in the set up to suit my style, but with these they are just perfect in my eyes. Darts, flight and shafts they just work for me.

The angle of entry, the way they fly everything is just perfect!

If I had a second set I’d play league with them, but these are my “Taylor Shrine” set and I don’t want them damaged.

Grip wise 4 out of 5 as an overall rating they have to be a 4.9 out of 5 I think they are the best ever and near perfect. Just remember these are not for everyone and they are expensive but if you like the greatest of all time buy a set to honour the 16 times World Champion!