314 shaft compared to Z shaft
- Thread starter poolbreak
- Start date
The 314 shaft is 12.75mm at the tip and has somewhat of a slight conical taper while the Z shaft is 11.75mm at the tip and has a long, slender "pro" taper.
It is said by many posters here (and I pretty much agree) that you had better have a smooth, solid stroke to be proficient with the Z shaft as the thin taper/tip size is not very forgiving on cue ball hits that are a little off-target.
Maniac
In my opinion, if you currrently prefer playing with a 12.75 - 13mm tipped conventional shaft, then the 314 is the best choice. If you like a smaller tipped shaft, 11.75 to 12mm, the Z will be a better choice. If you prefer an over 13mm shaft, consider the 314 fat shaft.
The playing and aiming characteristics are similar but the feel of the skinny Z shaft and smaller tip is quite a bit different and comes in the realm of personal preferences. I found the small tip to be a little harder to control (I was getting too much spin).
If you like a thicker shaft, Predator also make the fatter version of the 314-2.
I have 2 314-2's I use regularly, and I prefer them to the one Z I have. i am saving the Z to use as a snooker shaft.
Chris
Completely agree. I tried the Z-2 shaft. Gave it a couple of months.
Then went back to 314-2. Need to work on my stroke.
Here's some info from predator:
http://www.predatorcues.com/predator_cues_shafts.php
I like my 314-2 but I haven't tried the Z yet
http://www.predatorcues.com/predator_cues_shafts.php
I like my 314-2 but I haven't tried the Z yet
i heard that the z shaft had more of a cone taper (european taper) than a pro taper. from what i've been told the z shaft is stiffer than the 314 shaft. i used a 314 shaft for years and i liked it well enough. iv'e always wanted to get a z shaft but i didn't think i could deal with the 11.75mm tip.
poolbreak
Registered
intresting info. Thanks
The 314 has the longer pro taper and the z has the more conical aggresive taper. I have had both. The z will be whippier and have more action on the cue ball. I like the z
you're all nuts, the z2 is the way to go. U just can't hit so far outside the center ball, but you dont need too, you get more action for less movement, so u can hit closer to the middle of the ball.
it takes months to get used to it, but once you do, it is AWESOME!!
it takes months to get used to it, but once you do, it is AWESOME!!
you've got me convinced i'm buying one
314 Vs Z
I have several original 314's and Z Shafts. I also have 3 - Z-2's. But no 314-2's. The 314 has a pro taper with a 12.75 mm tip. The dimensions of the shaft and tip size tend to vary more than you would think for a performance shaft. Doesn't say much for their quality control. The 314 with the standard tip from the factory tends to make for a softer hitting cue that I don't care for. Also to me the feedback is inferior to the Z. That is why I prefer the Z and especially the Z-2 with their more conical "European tapper" and 11.75 mm tip. I also think the phenolic joint insert on the Z-2 enhances the feed back.
The Z-2's I have don't seem to suffer the poor quality control of the 314 imho. Also I gave up a small amount of low deflection and installed a medium Moori on 2 of my Z-2's. This allows a harder hit and enhances feed back even more.
One shaft fits a custom full splice made for me by a local cue maker and it is my cue of choice at the moment. The other Z-2 I use on my Schons. I really like the combination of the Z-2, Moori med. and a Schon cue. The hit is quite stiff like I like it and the feed back is great. I believe I could take any Schon and any Z-2 with the Moori tip and play my regular speed within a few minutes. To me this speaks very well of both the Z shafts and of the Schon cues and how consistent the are from one to another.
I have several original 314's and Z Shafts. I also have 3 - Z-2's. But no 314-2's. The 314 has a pro taper with a 12.75 mm tip. The dimensions of the shaft and tip size tend to vary more than you would think for a performance shaft. Doesn't say much for their quality control. The 314 with the standard tip from the factory tends to make for a softer hitting cue that I don't care for. Also to me the feedback is inferior to the Z. That is why I prefer the Z and especially the Z-2 with their more conical "European tapper" and 11.75 mm tip. I also think the phenolic joint insert on the Z-2 enhances the feed back.
The Z-2's I have don't seem to suffer the poor quality control of the 314 imho. Also I gave up a small amount of low deflection and installed a medium Moori on 2 of my Z-2's. This allows a harder hit and enhances feed back even more.
One shaft fits a custom full splice made for me by a local cue maker and it is my cue of choice at the moment. The other Z-2 I use on my Schons. I really like the combination of the Z-2, Moori med. and a Schon cue. The hit is quite stiff like I like it and the feed back is great. I believe I could take any Schon and any Z-2 with the Moori tip and play my regular speed within a few minutes. To me this speaks very well of both the Z shafts and of the Schon cues and how consistent the are from one to another.
poolbreak
Registered
Thanks for the input. the More I read and research the more I am leaning towards the Z-2.
i wanted a 314, but the gave me a z2, so i said **** it, il try it. and its awsome. using a 314 feels like going to a house cue, just a little better.
I'll be honest I liked my 314-2 shaft but there was to much flex in it , so I just recently bought a Falcon Cue and I love the more solid hit , it's probably the fact that I had a 12.3 tip on my Predator but I like the 13 mm tip better . Now my Predator shaft sits in my case .
12.3mm? you have it turned down? they're supposed to come at 12.75mm.