Does the new OB Classic deflect more than the Predator 314?
314 vs. OB Classic --- Deflection
- Thread starter Tennesseejoe
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We will never really know unless an independent test is peformed. This is one of the issues that bothers me, any company can make claims about their shafts and who's to say any different. In no way am I saying that the OB boys are misleading us in any way but there are a bunch of new after market shafts like Lucasi, McDermott and Cuetec, who knows how these shafts really rate on the subject of low deflection. Only if someone would take over where Platinum Billiards left off and give us an idea of what we're really buying.
I am always interested in what studies are done and what the results may be. Though you are right, you must also factor in who is doing or paying for the testing and the methods and definitions used.
I really do not feel that the least amount of deflection is the most important aspect of a shaft anyways. ALL shafts have deflection, so you will be making an adjustment no matter what. Changing the tip or its shape is going to affect this as much or more than the difference between 2 shafts too.
For example, in the platinum billiards results ( and according to predator) the Z shaft has less deflection than the 314 or the OB1. I do not care for the thinner shaft and taper of the Z, so I don't really care if it is rated as less deflection.
I have the 314, the 314-2, the OB1, and I just ordered the OB classic. I really can't notice any difference between the 314, and the OB1 as far as aiming and deflection, but the difference in feel is huge.
I mean I think that all of the LD shafts are pretty good, I don't think that the lowest deflection among them is a big deal.
All that said, I am still curious to know any actual data ( hopefully reliable) about them.
Jw
I really do not feel that the least amount of deflection is the most important aspect of a shaft anyways. ALL shafts have deflection, so you will be making an adjustment no matter what. Changing the tip or its shape is going to affect this as much or more than the difference between 2 shafts too.
For example, in the platinum billiards results ( and according to predator) the Z shaft has less deflection than the 314 or the OB1. I do not care for the thinner shaft and taper of the Z, so I don't really care if it is rated as less deflection.
I have the 314, the 314-2, the OB1, and I just ordered the OB classic. I really can't notice any difference between the 314, and the OB1 as far as aiming and deflection, but the difference in feel is huge.
I mean I think that all of the LD shafts are pretty good, I don't think that the lowest deflection among them is a big deal.
All that said, I am still curious to know any actual data ( hopefully reliable) about them.
Jw
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Poolpro,
Good points and I completely agree with you when it comes to other aspects of the cue like the hit and what not but even that can be generalized in some set catagory to give the buyer an idea where to start. I believe Hubler had many shafts for their cues and categorized them in great detail, including; tip diameter, taper, stiffness, hit and if you add deflection and perhaps the pivot point, this would point the consumer in the direction they're looking for. Believe me, I'm all for testing shafts for yourself but man, there is many out there now. I'm not sure how this all works with custom cuemakers but I'm under the impression that they'll do there best to give you close to what your looking for?
It would be great if you could give us some feedback and a comparison when you've had some time with the Classic. I'm excited about this shaft because I've had to resort to a big 13.20mm Pred. FAT shaft to get the stiffness I want while still being low deflection. Hopefully the Classic gives me that stiffness at 12.75mm.
I will def post up once I get a chance to try out the classic. My order is in, and I expect to actually get it in aprox 2 weeks.
I am hoping it is just what I am looking for too. From what I can tell, it should fall somewhere between the 314 and the OB1 as far as stiffness.
I was using a 314, when I first hit with the OB1. At that time I was super impressed with the hit and feel. I really liked the quiet hit. The lack of a "ping" or any noise was reassuring and it just felt great.
Then I ended up with a new cue that happened to have a first gen 314, and have been using that since. I recently pulled out the OB1, and I understand what people are saying about it hitting soft. I LOVE the feel and the hit, but I cannot feel the cue ball as much, and miss the feed back a little.
To be fair, it could be all in the tip. I am not sure. I play with a moori med on the 314, and the OB1 still has a new everest om it. To really do a fair comparison, I need to have the same tip on each.
So, I will have to get this new classic and put moori on all of them, and try them all side by side on the same cue, and post my findings.
Jw
That's actually what i didn't dig about it. i'm toying with the idea of ordering one of these ob classic shafts but in a 12.8-13mm.
just like the other guy on here i crave a little stiffness
i picked up an ob classic at SBE and have been testing it out. initial impressions:
the shaft does hit harder and is stiffer than the ob-1, though i would say the shaft still hits on the softer side.
the white ferrule is a thermoplastic and hits on the softer side with a dead sound. feels a lot like the predator ferrule
there is noticeably more deflection than the ob-1. my ob-1 deflected nearly identical to a 314-2. the ob classic deflects slightly more than a first gen 314, similar to the poison venom shaft.
the shafts are heavier due to not drilling out the shaft for the foam. from what royce told me, most shafts are in the 4.0oz range.
i think i would actually like a hybrid classic and ob-1. a shaft with the wood ferrule for lower deflection but no foam core for a better hit and more weight.
the shaft does hit harder and is stiffer than the ob-1, though i would say the shaft still hits on the softer side.
the white ferrule is a thermoplastic and hits on the softer side with a dead sound. feels a lot like the predator ferrule
there is noticeably more deflection than the ob-1. my ob-1 deflected nearly identical to a 314-2. the ob classic deflects slightly more than a first gen 314, similar to the poison venom shaft.
the shafts are heavier due to not drilling out the shaft for the foam. from what royce told me, most shafts are in the 4.0oz range.
i think i would actually like a hybrid classic and ob-1. a shaft with the wood ferrule for lower deflection but no foam core for a better hit and more weight.
I didn't notice more squirt on the Classic than my 314-2. I could play the shafts interchangeably with no aim adjustment. Where I really notice the difference is on firmly hit shots, the Classic is much more solid than the 314.
Also, the tip needs to get broken in for a week or so to feel the firmer hit - Everests are a little spongy at first. I've just taken two layers off mine and trimmed the edges and it's hitting firmer. I was thinking about putting a Sniper on it but the trimmed Everest is doing well and I've had no miscues at all so far. The trimmed tip should lower the squirt a little too.
As far as stiffness goes, now that I've adjusted to the shaft, I don't think I would want it any stiffer. This shaft is pretty firm.
Chris
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Where are you guys buying OB-Classic shafts from?
Thanks a lot! I've been trying to find it for a while now
I can't tell a whole lot of difference, if any at all, between my 29" 314-2 and my 30" OB Classic when used on the same butt. But then, I've only had the Classic a couple of weeks and the tip is still not broken in. So far though, I've liked everything about the OB. I will probably be an OB guy from now on simply for the fact that if something should go wrong with my shaft, at least I can depend on Royce and his company to make it right, hassle-free.
Maniac
Maniac
Mikey, the classic and classic Pro were released this weekend at the SBE if I am not mistaken. I believe Royce sent one to Maniac a couple weeks ago to run it through the gauntlet so to speak. The last statement may be completely inaccurate tho.
TJ-
While I don't have any measuring devices that will give you any hard numbers, I can tell you what I did, and how things reacted.
I've had a P2 since P2s were able to be had. Serial number 40. This had the original 314 shafts with it. I've played with that cue since I got it.
Also... I have an OB-1 shaft on a Phillippe cue. While the Phillippe is a little heavier, it played very much like the P2 when it had the OB-1 shaft on it. So much that I would use it when at home, that way I could leave a cue together for my home table, and leave my P2 in the case for when I went out. The Phillippe is the cue that I received an OB Classic for to try out.
As far as deflection, one of my favorite tests (for me) is to shoot stop shots at different lengths using straight side spin. This is what sold me on the P2 originally. So I shoot the stop shot, and the cue ball just stops dead, spinning and spinning.
When doing this with the P2, with straight left spin, the cue ball would stop dead.
Immediately after, I would do it with the Phillippe with the OB Classic on it. Again, shooting with straight left, the cue ball would slide just a hair to the left. Yes.. to the left.
I did this multiple times and got the same result.
What this told me, was I was compensating just a little when using my P2 and that the OB Classic seemed to cause less cue ball deflection.
I've talked with both Don and Royce, along with Doc Reyes, and told them all I was very impressed. Once they catch up on all the orders that are coming in, I'm going to have one made for my beloved P2.
Again.. these aren't formal, quantifiable tests, but these are my results and how I judged them.
I hope this helps. If nothing else, find a dealer that will let you take on for a test spin. It's well worth the look.
Regards,
Michael Voelkering
dru
Registered
I bought the classic pro this weekend at the Superbilliards Expo and Ive owned both an ob1 and ob2..and friends of mine own tiger X and predator 314...Honestly they're all around the same except the new classic was designed to give a stiffer hit and it really does I fell in love with it the first time I hit the cue ball!!
dru
Registered
It's a completely different feel...I had an OB2 and still do but bought the classic pro and thats what I'll be using from now on
314 vs. OB Classic---Deflection
I've got a Demo OB Classic (coupled to an OB 108 butt) here in Greensboro, NC. Anyone in the area is welcome to hook up with me and try it!
I've got a Demo OB Classic (coupled to an OB 108 butt) here in Greensboro, NC. Anyone in the area is welcome to hook up with me and try it!