Target K-Flex all in one Flight and Shaft

The K-Flex flight system really made my ears stand up when they first dropped on the Deadeye Darts web site. I’d seen them promoted as part of the Target releases and wasn’t really sure what to expect. I’ve tried the other ‘one piece’ flight/shafts on the market and was really looking forward to giving these a work out. 

Target makes a number of claims about the design of the K-Flex: 

1. A Patented Flex System 
2. They’re Lightweight  
3. They’re Durable  
4. They maintain 90 Degree Precision 

So, lets paint the picture, I use a set of 21g Shot Michael Smith Achieve barrels, my usual flight/shaft combination was put aside in order to give the K-Flex a fair run. I’ve practiced with them and played competition with them no exceptions. They’ve been in my darts from the day they arrived. 

Let’s just cover each of the claims one at a time. 

Flex, I’m not sure what I was expecting. The promotional images show the shaft in full twist, and the flight doing likewise, but from the initial fitment I found the K-Flex rigid and firm 

Lightweight – 100% these are feather light, lighter than a basic plastic shaft/flight combination. 

Durable – very durable after a week of play and practice the flight edges are pristine and the flat flight surfaces of the K-Flex are relatively unmarked. 

They maintain 90 degree precision, that also receives a big 100%, being a bit OCD in that area I hate flights that are out of shape or twisted into propellers, these have held up very well. 

To assist in keeping them durable Target have slightly thickened the rear edges of the flight section, adding a resistance to being damaged by darts thrown after those already in the board. I know with some brands, a flight can look old after a single game if the throw grouping is tight. 

By undercutting the shaft sections on the lower portion where it doesn’t align with the flight wing, Target have succeeded in keeping these super-light. 

But the flex, that’s my point of contention. I found that when I screwed them into my barrels there was almost no give, no twist, no bend and only a tiny bit of give at the flight end. 

The fact that they flew dead straight, no deviation in the slightest is also a great result, and me with my 21g Shot darts really felt a little ripped off. Every time I had a minor rear end collision the second dart took a massive deflection, no sign of the flex, no give just a deflection that caused the following dart to move into the adjacent scoring segment. But there was little or no sign of damage to the K-Flex flight. 

The probability is that the deflection is a result of the dart being on the lighter end of the weight range, heavier darts would deflect less, however the amount of damage would likely be proportional to the nose shape and grip pattern of the dart. 

I think these one-piece style Flight/Shafts are a matter of personal taste. Target has made these initially available in 3 colours, 2 flight shapes and 3 lengths.  

I would rate these as 4.5 out of 5.0, although playing with lighter darts deflections can be frustrating.  

As a value for money proposition, in terms of like for like comparisons, at their current price point again I’d rate them 4.5 out of 5.0, their competition are much more expensive and have a broader colour range, but is that a crucial point? The K-Flex performs well.