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How to fold the Bulldog dart

A blunt nose: steady and tough. 9 folds from a plain sheet, easy. Drag the red corner along its arrow, or press Fold.

Fold it alongStep by stepFly it wellPrint it

Folding a real one? Print its template: every crease, numbered.

About the Bulldog dart

Named for its snub nose. It flies best with a gentle throw: thrown hard, the heavy nose just flies it into the ground.

How it flies: steady

Blunt nose, rarely stalls. A dart with its point folded back: blunt, steady and tough.

Where it comes from

Taught by The Art of Manliness (Jeremy Anderberg, 2022) as one of three “tried and true” designs; it doesn’t name a designer. The snub nose gives it its name.

Sources: The Art of Manliness

Step by step

moves fold here where it ends up

  1. Fold the top left corner to the middle.

  2. And the other one.

  3. Fold the new edge to the middle.

  4. And the other one.

  5. Now fold the sharp point back: a bulldog nose.

  6. Fold it in half along the middle.

  7. Fold the wing down, along the keel.

  8. Turn it over.

  9. And fold the other wing to match.

  10. Open the wings out, level with the keel. Hold it under its middle and throw it gently, straight ahead.

Fly it well

How to throw it

A firm, level throw. Its weighty nose keeps it on line; thrown too hard, the nose flies it into the floor, so ease off if it dives.

If it misbehaves

  • Dives? Throw softer first, then bend the back edges up a little.
  • Wobbles? Sharpen the creases and pinch the body shut.
  • Turns? Match the wings, then trim the opposite back edge up.

More planes to fold

Gliderfloaty, wide loopsSuzannethe distance record: glides on and onDartquick and trueArrowslim, fast, dead straightHeavy dartgoes far, sinks fastLoopertight loops, rolls easilyNakamura locksteady, rarely stallsHarriera locked nose, pointed wings: steady and quickHammera snub nose, long slim wings: flies far and true