A french tip, 50 years ago, referred to a ferrule that was longer, thinner at the base,
and flared at the end for a wider leather tip.
I do not remember id the actual tip part was thicker. It permitted a thinner shaft yet
a more normal surface contact to the ball.
I was a teenager and the real players did not think much of them or the guys who used them.
This was a sub shortstop thing so to speak.
spot on, modern day players substitute 14mm tips in place of stock 11mm.
the 14mm tip is centered as best as possible and it's stuck on, unshaven, as-is.
this is regularly done, and there is also a "french shaft taper", which has nothing to do with
the french tip or flared ferrule.
formula:
smaller diameter = higher degree of expertise needed, larger diameter does not.