shafts 314 or ob1

CHRIS_SPORT

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I thought about getting a new shaft but all I ever played with is a stock and the OB-1. I need a little feed back on a few good shafts.
 
I've never been disappointed in Predator so I have never felt inclined to try other shafts. You will find praises for both Predator and OB-1, though.
 
There are lots of good aftermarket shafts out there. Tiger makes a good shaft. I've been playing with the McDermott G-Core shaft, which is Jerry Powers' technology (inventor of the Stinger & Jerico Cues), for the past 4 months. It plays great, comes in three sizes, and is a lot less $$$ than a Predator.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
try the ob-2

I tried an OB-2 and that's all I shoot with now. The smaller diameter does make it more crucial to chalk properly...imo. None the less, I love the way it plays with a little more feedback.

Ray
 
try the ob-2

What size is the OB-2 11.75? I thank my OB-1 is 12.75 my hands are big and small shafts are hard for me to play with I have a stock shaft that Alex cut down to 12.15 and is kills my hands! Any way tigers wat are they I've never seen one.
 
What size is the OB-2 11.75? I thank my OB-1 is 12.75 my hands are big and small shafts are hard for me to play with I have a stock shaft that Alex cut down to 12.15 and is kills my hands! Any way tigers wat are they I've never seen one.

Yep, the tip diameter on an ob-2 is 11.75; and I don't know if it's just me or not, but it really doesn't feel like it's 11.75.
 
I am currently playing with an original 314 that has been turned to a pro taper and is 12.25 mm. I really like it!!

I just bought a cue that has two OB-1 shafts and I have only hit with it for a few minutes, but it hits nice also.

Russ.....
 
OB shafts, no doubt about it. It plays better than the predators to me. I tried a Z2 and an OB2 and I purchased the OB2 over the predator. I like the feel of it better. It hits stiffer to me. One big BIG factor in me choosing OB2 is Royce. Royce (RBC) stands behind OB product like no other. They give you an awesome warranty. If you are worried about the ferrule on the OB shafts, they are lifetime warranted by OB cues. The only condition is that the Carbon Fiber pad, which it would explain on their website.

I wouldn't even think about switching my OB2 for a predator product. OB all the way, not to mention, RBC post on the forum, so if you have any questions about his product, he can answer them.

Muddawg, I just got my digital caliper and measured the tip on my OB2 and it is exactly at 11.75mm, just thought I'd help you out :D

Good Luck, happy searching!

Chino
 
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I thought about getting a new shaft but all I ever played with is a stock and the OB-1. I need a little feed back on a few good shafts.
I Swear by a Joss butt, 314 shaft and a Moori Medium tip. I have played with alot! Just My Opinion! Any cue-butt I play with with will have a predator 314 shaft
 
You need to try multiple brands and models and see which fits you better.

Pool suffers because no one makes a practice of measuring this stuff, but I BELIEVE you will get the best shaft-to-shaft production consistency with laminated shafts. Anything else is the luck of the draw.

You will hear on this forum, "I swear by my [brand] cue. Nothing else hits better!" This could be true for THAT shaft, but the next one might not be so good. Wood is a natural product and no two shafts are the same.

An engineered material will provide better consistency (which also means predictable play between sticks, and predictable play between shots).

This also explains why another member will say, "I played with that [brand] ... it was terrible."

Manufacturers should start measuring and cataloging shaft performance specifications, along with the standard deviations (a measure of consistency) of the samples. We need more than taper and tip diameter.

Here are some possible metrics:
Swerve measured on a standardized setup
Radial consistency of swerve
Pivot point measured on a standardized setup
shaft balancing point
dampening time (probably not important, but might be a preference)
maybe some other measure of stiffness...

If manufacturers started measuring this stuff, we could more easily see which performance characteristics better suit our preferences. Like choosing tips. There is no perfect shaft, just the one that fits your preferences best.

Manufacturers could charge more for shafts that meet more exacting QC specs, like Aramith does for pool balls. You can imagine the new ads: "Our new Excelsior line is tested for minimum radial variability, while our competitors...etc., etc." (This is really just a sorting process.)
 
I have owned both the OB-1 and 314-2 and my choice is the 314-2. This is of course just my opinion. I'm also not knocking the OB-1 since I think it is a great shaft, but I liked the Predator by a split hair.
 
I have owned both the OB-1 and 314-2 and my choice is the 314-2. This is of course just my opinion. I'm also not knocking the OB-1 since I think it is a great shaft, but I liked the Predator by a split hair.

I've owned OB-1 shafts and Predator 314 and 314-2 shafts. I've played with Predator shafts for years and I wanted to try OB-1 shafts to see what the difference was.

My choice is the Predator shafts and I don't mean to knock OB-1's because they make a fine shaft. I just prefer the hit and feel of a Predator shaft.

James
 
Hello,

I sold my OB-1 in favor of the 314-2 due to the high flex of the shaft. I really liked the 314-2 but wanted to try the Fat Shaft because it was a little stiffer and thicker in diameter. I now realize that a bigger diameter size is not as important to me as the stiffness of the shaft itself. I might have my FAT Shaft taken down to 13mm instead of the 13.20mm but keep the same taper. I'm also interested in the OB Break Shaft as a player too and I'm going to get one for breaking of course.
 
Hello,

I sold my OB-1 in favor of the 314-2 due to the high flex of the shaft. I really liked the 314-2 but wanted to try the Fat Shaft because it was a little stiffer and thicker in diameter. I now realize that a bigger diameter size is not as important to me as the stiffness of the shaft itself. I might have my FAT Shaft taken down to 13mm instead of the 13.20mm but keep the same taper. I'm also interested in the OB Break Shaft as a player too and I'm going to get one for breaking of course.




I thoght that both 314 and 314-2 had 12.75 mm tips?



Does any one know about Anny Oak I thank thats how its spelled, But anyway my buddy told me that it was like the best shaft ever. But I never even herd of it!:confused:
 
Have them both..played with my Predator 314 for years, then 314-2 and now OB-1..and i'll NEVER go back..OB RULES!!!

Can't wait to get the OB Break Shaft for my BK2!:thumbup:
 
Have them both..played with my Predator 314 for years, then 314-2 and now OB-1..and i'll NEVER go back..OB RULES!!!

Can't wait to get the OB Break Shaft for my BK2!:thumbup:

I'm starting to think that same thing. I played with a Z-2 for about an hour tonight and I don't like the way it hit or feels. My OB-1 hit harder to me, but I still havn't played with a 314 or 314-2.
 
Shaft...Some good advice...and some interesting ideas! :thumbup:

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

You need to try multiple brands and models and see which fits you better.
Pool suffers because no one makes a practice of measuring this stuff, but I BELIEVE you will get the best shaft-to-shaft production consistency with laminated shafts. Anything else is the luck of the draw.

You will hear on this forum, "I swear by my [brand] cue. Nothing else hits better!" This could be true for THAT shaft, but the next one might not be so good. Wood is a natural product and no two shafts are the same.

An engineered material will provide better consistency (which also means predictable play between sticks, and predictable play between shots).

This also explains why another member will say, "I played with that [brand] ... it was terrible."

Manufacturers should start measuring and cataloging shaft performance specifications, along with the standard deviations (a measure of consistency) of the samples. We need more than taper and tip diameter.

Here are some possible metrics:
Swerve measured on a standardized setup
Radial consistency of swerve
Pivot point measured on a standardized setup
shaft balancing point
dampening time (probably not important, but might be a preference)
maybe some other measure of stiffness...

If manufacturers started measuring this stuff, we could more easily see which performance characteristics better suit our preferences. Like choosing tips. There is no perfect shaft, just the one that fits your preferences best.

Manufacturers could charge more for shafts that meet more exacting QC specs, like Aramith does for pool balls. You can imagine the new ads: "Our new Excelsior line is tested for minimum radial variability, while our competitors...etc., etc." (This is really just a sorting process.)
 
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