Luke Humphries won the 2024 PDC World Championship playing with a clean, front-weighted torpedo barrel and a grip most players would call understated. The TX3 is built to that exact spec. Where some players want aggressive texture and complex geometry, Humphries prefers a dart that stays out of the way and lets the throw do the work, and the TX3 reflects that preference precisely.
Red Dragon has made his preferred barrel available in two special edition colourways. For around £60 with quality accessories in the box, it is a strong option whether you follow Humphries or simply want a well-made dart at a sensible price.
Design and Build
The TX3 barrels are machined from 90% tungsten. Two weights are available in steel tip: 22g (7.13mm diameter, 43.2mm length) and 24g (7.56mm diameter, 43.2mm length).
| Weight | Length | Diameter |
|---|---|---|
| 22g | 43.2mm | 7.13mm |
| 24g | 43.2mm | 7.56mm |
The barrel profile is front-weighted with a torpedo shape, slightly fuller through the body and tapering toward the point. This pushes the balance point forward and encourages a natural front grip position, which most players find promotes a cleaner, more consistent release over time. Buyers consistently describe the darts as feeling precisely made and well-balanced in the hand.
The Grip
Red Dragon rates the TX3 grip at 2 out of 5 for intensity, which makes it one of the smoother options in the range. This is a deliberate design decision to match Humphries’ own throwing preference rather than a compromise.
Three grip zones run the length of the barrel. Tighter, closely-spaced radial grooves sit at the rear and front, with slightly wider and deeper grooves through the middle section where most players naturally settle their fingers. The result is a barrel that guides your hand into position without imposing on it. Players who throw with a relaxed, fluid hold find the TX3 releases cleanly and consistently. Those who need a firm, grippy feel to maintain control tend to find it too smooth for their style, and the 2/5 rating makes that clear upfront.
Colourways
The TX3 comes in two colourways, both built around Humphries’ Cool Blue branding. The silver Cool Blue SE has a silver barrel with blue accent rings and is the version most closely associated with his match setup. The Gold TX3 uses the same barrel geometry in a warm gold finish with blue highlights, a bolder look that keeps the same understated character. Both are good-looking darts at the oche.
What’s in the Box
- 3 × Red Dragon Luke Humphries TX3 90% tungsten barrels
- 3 × Nitrotech shafts
- 3 × Hardcore Coolhand flights
The Nitrotech shafts have a built-in flight locking mechanism that stops the flight slipping or popping out mid-session. They are more durable than standard nylon shafts and a meaningful step up from what you get bundled with most darts at this price. The Hardcore Coolhand flights are made from extra-thick material with a UV coating, which gives them better longevity than thinner budget flights.
What People Are Saying
The TX3 is consistently well-received by people who have bought it. The most common praise is for the weight distribution and how naturally the darts sit in the hand, with several buyers noting they needed very little adjustment time before the throw felt comfortable. The front-weighted profile gets particular credit for producing a smooth, repeatable release.
The main criticism is predictable: players who prefer a grippy barrel find the TX3 too smooth for consistent control. That is not a fault with the dart, it is a fit issue, and the published grip rating of 2/5 makes it easy to judge before buying. The limited weight range of 22g and 24g is occasionally mentioned as a drawback for players who throw outside those options.
Which Players Do They Suit?
The TX3 suits players who prefer a relaxed, front-weighted throw and do not need heavy texture to feel in control. Front and mid grippers who let the dart flow out of the hand rather than gripping firmly tend to get on well with it straight away. It is also a natural choice for fans of Humphries who want to throw the same barrel shape he plays with.
It is less suited to players who need a grip rated 3/5 or above, those who prefer weights outside the 22g to 24g range, or anyone who wants Swiss Point interchangeability in the tip.
The Verdict
The TX3 is a well-made dart built around a clear philosophy: a front-weighted torpedo profile with a smooth multi-zone grip, designed for players who want a clean and consistent release. The 90% tungsten construction keeps the barrel slim, the Nitrotech shafts are a genuinely good inclusion, and the two colourways give you options on how it looks.
The grip will divide players neatly into those who love it and those who find it too smooth, so it is worth being honest about your own throwing style before buying. If you grip lightly and want a dart that stays out of the way and flies straight, the TX3 is very easy to recommend at this price.
About this review
We’ve trawled through owner reviews, forums, and retailer feedback to pull together a consensus on these darts so you don’t have to. We haven’t thrown them ourselves, so individual experiences may vary.