Honest disclosure
We haven’t tested these darts personally. This review is a compilation of customer feedback gathered from multiple online sources including the Red Dragon website, specialist retailers, and darts community forums. Individual experiences will vary.
Luke Humphries doesn’t do flash. Where some players want aggressive grip patterns, wild barrel geometry, and eye-catching coatings, Cool Hand Luke prefers something clean, precise, and utterly reliable. The TX3 reflects that philosophy exactly — a front-weighted torpedo barrel with a subtle multi-zone grip, built to disappear in the hand and let the throw do all the work.
That approach helped Humphries become the 2024 PDC World Champion, and Red Dragon has now made his preferred barrel shape available in two striking special edition colourways. For around £60, these are a compelling option whether you’re a fan of the man or just after a quality set of 90% tungsten darts.
Design and Build
The TX3 barrels are crafted from 90% tungsten, the same high-density material used by the vast majority of professional players. The higher the tungsten percentage, the denser and slimmer the barrel can be without sacrificing weight — which means tighter groupings when you start hitting your spots consistently.
Two weight options are available in steel tip: 22g (7.13mm diameter, 43.2mm length) and 24g (7.56mm diameter, 43.2mm length). The barrel profile is front-weighted with a torpedo shape — slightly fuller in the body and tapering toward the point — which encourages a natural forward grip position and a clean, consistent release.
The construction feels solid. Customers across multiple retailers report that these darts feel exactly as they should: weighty, precise, and confidence-inspiring from the moment you pick them up.
The Grip
Red Dragon rates the TX3 grip at 2 out of 5 for intensity — deliberately subtle. This is a dart built for players with a smooth, relaxed throw rather than those who need maximum purchase to maintain control.
The barrel features three distinct grip zones working together:
- Rear: Eight narrow, tightly-spaced radial grooves providing a light reference point for the fingers
- Middle: Three noticeably wider, more spaced grooves offering a touch more bite where most players settle their grip
- Front: A return to tighter, finer grooves toward the point for a clean release
The result is a barrel that guides your fingers naturally without imposing on them. Customer reviews describe the grip as “just right” for those who prefer a relaxed hold, with several noting that the darts release cleanly without any tendency to cling or rotate unexpectedly.
That said, players who actively want a grippy, textured barrel will find the TX3 too smooth for their liking. The two-out-of-five rating isn’t a compromise — it’s a deliberate design choice to match Humphries’ own throwing style.
Colourways
The TX3 is available in two special edition colourways, both built around Luke’s signature “Cool Blue” branding:
Silver TX3 (Cool Blue SE) — A silver barrel with cool blue accents. Clean, understated, and professional. This is the version most closely associated with Humphries’ match setup.
Gold TX3 — The same barrel in a warm gold finish with blue highlights. A bolder look that still carries the TX3’s unfussy character without veering into gimmick territory.
Both variants are genuine head-turners at the oche without being distracting. If you’re after a dart that looks like serious business, either colourway delivers.
What’s in the Box
Every TX3 set includes:
- Three 90% tungsten TX3 barrels
- Three Nitrotech shafts
- Three Hardcore flights
The Nitrotech shafts are a thoughtful inclusion. Each shaft features a built-in flight locking system that grips the flight securely, preventing the infuriating mid-session slipping or popping out that cheaper stems are prone to. They’re durable and notably more resistant to splitting than standard nylon shafts.
The Hardcore flights are made from extra-thick material with a glossy UV coating, giving them better resistance to wear than the tissue-thin flights often bundled with entry-level darts. That said, if you throw tight groups regularly, flights will always take a beating — it’s worth having spares.
What Customers Are Saying
The TX3 holds a 4.7 out of 5 rating from 64 reviews on the Red Dragon website — a strong score that reflects genuinely satisfied customers rather than a novelty bump from brand loyalty.
Recurring themes in customer feedback include praise for the weight distribution (“weighted perfectly”), the smooth release enabled by the subtle grip, and the overall quality of the complete package for the price. Several reviewers note that the front-weighted profile makes the darts feel natural in the hand almost immediately, with little adjustment period required.
The most common criticism mirrors the dart’s own design intent: players who favour a grippy, textured barrel sometimes find the TX3 too slippery for their style. If that sounds like you, it’s worth trying a higher grip-rated Red Dragon model instead. But for those who prefer a relaxed, fluid throw, the consensus is that the TX3 delivers exactly what it promises.
Who Are These Darts For?
The Luke Humphries TX3 makes most sense for:
- Front and middle grippers who prefer a subtle grip that guides rather than grabs
- Players developing a smoother technique — the clean release encourages good habits
- Luke Humphries fans who want to throw what their hero throws (or close to it)
- Anyone seeking quality 90% tungsten in the £50-70 range without paying signature-premium prices
They’re less suited to:
- Players who need a heavy grip (4-5/5 intensity) to maintain control
- Throwers who prefer weights above 24g or below 22g
- Anyone after the Swiss Point flexibility offered by some rival brands
The Verdict
The Red Dragon Luke Humphries TX3 is a well-thought-out dart that does exactly what it sets out to do. The 90% tungsten construction gives you the slim, precise barrel that makes a real difference at the treble bed. The front-weighted torpedo profile encourages a natural, consistent throw. And the quality accessories — Nitrotech shafts in particular — mean you’re getting genuine value at around £60.
The subtle grip won’t suit everyone, and the limited weight range (22g and 24g) is a minor frustration. But for players who share Humphries’ preference for clean, unfussy equipment, the TX3 is a very hard dart to argue with.
Cool Hand Luke built his world championship on a barrel shaped like this. That’s a decent endorsement.
This review is a compilation of customer feedback gathered from multiple online sources including the Red Dragon Darts website, specialist retailers, and darts community forums. We have not personally tested this product. Individual experiences may vary.