The Tour Edition is Gian van Veen’s signature 90% tungsten barrel from Red Dragon. The Dutchman won his first major at the 2025 European Championship, beating Luke Humphries 11-10 in the final, then reached the World Championship final in January 2026, where Luke Littler beat him 7-1.
The range launched as a 22g fixed-point set, now called the Original. In 2026 Red Dragon added a 21g version fitted with Winmau Switch Points and its Nitro Flite integrated flight system. That Switch Point set is the one this page focuses on, with the Original covered alongside it.
Key Specifications
The Switch Point set is a straight, middle-weighted barrel with a tapered nose and a diamond-coated grip. Red Dragon does not publish its dimensions, and the figures from other sources differ slightly: its spec graphic shows 6.5mm by 50.8mm, while one UK retailer lists the 21g at 6.6mm by 50.8mm.
- Material
- 90% tungsten with a diamond coating and black etch
- Weights
- 21g (Switch Point), 22g (Original, fixed points), steel tip
- Barrel shape
- Parallel (straight), middle weighted
- Barrel length
- 50.8mm (21g Switch Point), 48.26mm (22g Original)
- Barrel diameter
- 6.5mm to 6.6mm (21g Switch Point), 6.5mm (22g Original)
- Grip
- Diamond-coated rings at the front and centre (Switch Point); square grooves along the full length (Original)
- Points
- Winmau Switch Points, Silver Groove Micro 45mm, swapped with the included tool; also accepts Target Swiss Point, Harrows Quick Points and Caliburn Evo EZ Points
- Thread
- 2BA
- Shafts and flights
- Nitro Flite integrated system, black, short (Switch Point); Nitrotech short shafts with extra-thick standard flights (Original)
- Price band
- Premium (Switch Point)
How They Compare
Spec sheets mean more next to the alternatives. Here is the Tour Edition Switch Point against three similar darts we have covered, using the figures each manufacturer publishes.
| GVV Tour Edition SP | Rob Cross Gen 2 (opens in a new tab) | Luke Littler World Champion (opens in a new tab) | Recon Switch Points (Torpedo) (opens in a new tab) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price band | Premium | High End | Premium | High End |
| Tungsten | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% |
| Weights | 21g | 21g, 23g, 25g | 23g | 23g, 25g |
| Barrel length | 50.8mm | 48mm (21g) | 52mm | 45.72mm |
| Barrel diameter | 6.5 to 6.6mm | 6.4mm (21g) | 6.5mm | 7.65mm (23g) |
The Recon uses the same Winmau Switch Point system in a much fatter, shorter torpedo shape. The Rob Cross Gen 2 is the closest match on weight and barrel width, and sits a band lower on price.
Who They Suit
| If you... | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Like a light, slim dart | Good | 21g with a 6.5mm to 6.6mm barrel |
| Want a thick, heavy barrel | Poor | No version is wider than 6.6mm |
| Want grip cuts along the whole barrel | Partial | Switch Point grip covers the front and centre only; the Original is full length |
| Want a very smooth grip | Poor | High grip, according to the manufacturer |
| Prefer a short barrel | Partial | 48.26mm for the Original, 50.8mm for the Switch Point |
| Want quick-swap points | Good | Switch Point version uses Winmau Switch Points (the Original has fixed points) |
| Are working to a tight budget | Poor | The Switch Point set sits in the Premium price band |
If you want something heavier or chunkier, the Recon Switch Points keeps the same point system on a 23g or 25g torpedo barrel. Players wanting a similar slim 21g straight barrel for less should look at the Rob Cross Gen 2, and our guide to choosing a dart weight covers whether 21g or 22g makes sense for you.
What Owners Say
On Red Dragon’s own site the 22g Original averages 4.9 out of 5 from 34 reviews, and every reviewer says they would recommend it. The newer Switch Point set shows the same 4.9 from just 8 reviews. Both scores are manufacturer-hosted, which tends to flatter. A major UK retailer’s listing, which groups both versions, shows a cooler 4.0 out of 5 from 28 ratings.
Independent coverage is thin. Darts World looked at the 22g Original in August 2025 and liked the comfortable but aggressive grip, while warning that the diamond coating may wear before the barrel does. Buyers mostly praise the build quality, finish and balance. The grip is where opinions split.
What owners consistently praise
- Build quality and finish that hold up well in use
- Nicely balanced feel in the hand
- A confident, grippy hold that suits front grippers
Common criticisms
- Grip divides opinion: too harsh for some, not enough at the rear for others
- The diamond coating may wear down over time
- Each version comes in a single weight, and the Switch Point set is priced at the very top of the market
The Grip: What to Expect
Red Dragon rates the grip at the top of its scale on both versions. They are cut differently, though. The Original carries square grooves along the full length. On the Switch Point set the diamond-coated rings stop at the front and centre, leaving a smooth rear section with two black rings.
Owners on Red Dragon’s site score the grip at around 4.3 (Original) and 4.4 (Switch Point) out of 5, towards the aggressive end. Retail buyers are more mixed. Some call it extremely grippy, and one wished there was more grip at the back of the barrel, which fits the smooth rear on the Switch Point version. If you hold a dart well back, that matters more than the headline grip rating. Darts World noted some players prefer the coating once it has worn in a little.
The Consensus
Owners rate the Tour Edition highly for quality and balance, and the maker’s own reviews are close to perfect. Retail ratings are noticeably lower, and the grip is what splits people: fierce at the front, smooth at the back on the Switch Point set. The Switch Point version costs more than the Original and only comes in 21g, so it makes most sense if you want quick point changes on a slim straight barrel.
How we compile this page
We don’t throw every dart ourselves. Instead we gather the manufacturer’s published specifications and weigh up the reception from owners and independent reviewers, then flag where they disagree so you can make up your own mind. Where a headline rating comes from manufacturer-hosted reviews, we say so, because those tend to skew positive.