-OB Classic Shaft Review-
A few weeks back I had the opportunity to borrow a OB Classic shaft *12.75mm and hit with it for a few days. Below is my review:
One of the first things I do when examine any pool products: cues, cases, tools etc. is look at the finish and quality of execution. After close inspection of the shaft I could tell each shaft was made with great detail as there were no excessive glue lines and no over lay of woods or materials. Each segment was masterfully cut and crafted.
I then flexed the shaft and knew that it was going to have a stiff hit. Not overly stiff but the kind of support structure that you want when using "force follow". My ears perked up with that excitement to see how it would handle on the table.
The tap in the insert was precision and the diameter fit flush to my current cue at .850.
Each ferrule is unlike the previous ob shafts in which are composed of wood segments. I estimate the ferrule to be roughly 1/4 inch in length. The ob classic shaft was designed with a small white ferrule made of a plastic type ferrule * unsure of the exact name*.
I have owned the original ob-1 with the wooden ferrule and the hit was significantly more muted and silenced than a normal shaft.
The shafts are non - cored and weigh in between 3.9 to 4.1 oz depending on the joint pin of your cue. Insert pins for 5/16-14 will weigh more naturally. My shaft was a flat face 3/8-10 and still was solid. No light weights with these shafts.
I'm a detailed shooter who takes into account a lot of factors in my pre shot routine. From the silky smoothness of my shaft, to the whiskering sound of my chalk swiping the tip as I chalk up.
The sound is of utter importance as it one of many factors that produce what players describe as feel. The shaft has great sound when striking the cue ball. This was the sound I so desperately missing from the original ob-1. I credit the introduction to the ferrule. Despite the fact that it was smaller than most low deflection shafts it provided the special ingredient that non low deflection shooters would enjoy. It took a while to get used to the small ferrule but after a few racks it was apparent to me that this shaft was designed to do one thing. Reduce deflection and incorporate that solid feel that is missing from many other low deflection shafts.
My first set up was done simply by placing the object ball between the 2 and 3 diamond near the corner pocket and the cue ball placed at the head string. This is basically a 3/4 length table straight shot.
I wanted to test the deflection, draw and the force follow to see how this shaft compared to my current stick. After spotting the ball and getting down to shoot the first couple of shots only one word came to mind "Wow".
The stop shots hit perfect. No side spin and no unintentional draw. I use the word often but it was "SOLID". Maybe due to the fact that the shaft isn't cored completely all the way through like the Predators or previous OB-1 shafts. My face was grinning to see if I could draw as easily as it I stopped the ball from several distances.
Placing the ball back to the spot I lowered to aim and then ping..drew the ball the entire length of the table and back to the head string. I tried the draw again to see if it was a fluke that i had drawn the ball that easily. The second and third time was just as easy and even more fluid as I had gotten used to the taper and the weight.
After about 5 or 6 times I was ready to see if it would hold up to the force follow that average low deflection shafts fall slightly short on. Moving the cue ball off angle so that my straight shots were no longer straight I placed top right force follow on the ball. Again I went down to aim then...ping...whitey pocketed the ob ball and danced around three rails back to the line I desired. The shaft didn't wimper, fault or back down.
I thought to myself. This is very very nice since low deflection spliced shafts has always worried me about stiffness and quality. With so many thousands of shafts made each year I'm glad a company such as OB cues has put out a product that I could be comfortable not only playing with but also depending on. When all the chips are out and the moneys on the table I wouldn't hesitate to recommend an OB Classic.
A few weeks back I had the opportunity to borrow a OB Classic shaft *12.75mm and hit with it for a few days. Below is my review:
One of the first things I do when examine any pool products: cues, cases, tools etc. is look at the finish and quality of execution. After close inspection of the shaft I could tell each shaft was made with great detail as there were no excessive glue lines and no over lay of woods or materials. Each segment was masterfully cut and crafted.
I then flexed the shaft and knew that it was going to have a stiff hit. Not overly stiff but the kind of support structure that you want when using "force follow". My ears perked up with that excitement to see how it would handle on the table.
The tap in the insert was precision and the diameter fit flush to my current cue at .850.
Each ferrule is unlike the previous ob shafts in which are composed of wood segments. I estimate the ferrule to be roughly 1/4 inch in length. The ob classic shaft was designed with a small white ferrule made of a plastic type ferrule * unsure of the exact name*.
I have owned the original ob-1 with the wooden ferrule and the hit was significantly more muted and silenced than a normal shaft.
The shafts are non - cored and weigh in between 3.9 to 4.1 oz depending on the joint pin of your cue. Insert pins for 5/16-14 will weigh more naturally. My shaft was a flat face 3/8-10 and still was solid. No light weights with these shafts.
I'm a detailed shooter who takes into account a lot of factors in my pre shot routine. From the silky smoothness of my shaft, to the whiskering sound of my chalk swiping the tip as I chalk up.
The sound is of utter importance as it one of many factors that produce what players describe as feel. The shaft has great sound when striking the cue ball. This was the sound I so desperately missing from the original ob-1. I credit the introduction to the ferrule. Despite the fact that it was smaller than most low deflection shafts it provided the special ingredient that non low deflection shooters would enjoy. It took a while to get used to the small ferrule but after a few racks it was apparent to me that this shaft was designed to do one thing. Reduce deflection and incorporate that solid feel that is missing from many other low deflection shafts.
My first set up was done simply by placing the object ball between the 2 and 3 diamond near the corner pocket and the cue ball placed at the head string. This is basically a 3/4 length table straight shot.
I wanted to test the deflection, draw and the force follow to see how this shaft compared to my current stick. After spotting the ball and getting down to shoot the first couple of shots only one word came to mind "Wow".
The stop shots hit perfect. No side spin and no unintentional draw. I use the word often but it was "SOLID". Maybe due to the fact that the shaft isn't cored completely all the way through like the Predators or previous OB-1 shafts. My face was grinning to see if I could draw as easily as it I stopped the ball from several distances.
Placing the ball back to the spot I lowered to aim and then ping..drew the ball the entire length of the table and back to the head string. I tried the draw again to see if it was a fluke that i had drawn the ball that easily. The second and third time was just as easy and even more fluid as I had gotten used to the taper and the weight.
After about 5 or 6 times I was ready to see if it would hold up to the force follow that average low deflection shafts fall slightly short on. Moving the cue ball off angle so that my straight shots were no longer straight I placed top right force follow on the ball. Again I went down to aim then...ping...whitey pocketed the ob ball and danced around three rails back to the line I desired. The shaft didn't wimper, fault or back down.
I thought to myself. This is very very nice since low deflection spliced shafts has always worried me about stiffness and quality. With so many thousands of shafts made each year I'm glad a company such as OB cues has put out a product that I could be comfortable not only playing with but also depending on. When all the chips are out and the moneys on the table I wouldn't hesitate to recommend an OB Classic.
