I have heard that the 1st Generation is a better hitting shaft, and I have also heard that the 2nd gen is better and has a stiffer hit. Anyone know if there really is any truth to any of these?
314 1st Gen or 2nd Gen??
- Thread starter bearsafety
- Start date
the no cat 314's seemed to hit stiffer to me. imo the 314 and the 314 with the cat seem to hit better than the 314-2's do.
maybe it's the foam insert or maybe it's that they didn't bore as big a hole or used better woods back in the day. from what i hear the ferrules crack more these days and they're still having more problems with the -2 ones
master9baller
Banned
Predator 314'2
The 314-2's have a softer hit than the original 314's. I have both and play with the 314-2, just my preference. The ferrule material on the 314-2 is very light and prone to scrathes and cracks.
The 314-2's have a softer hit than the original 314's. I have both and play with the 314-2, just my preference. The ferrule material on the 314-2 is very light and prone to scrathes and cracks.
when you guys are saying original 314's are you meaning before the cat or just anything in general before the 2nd generation?
Yah I had one crack on me just last week, and my playing one warp on me 2 weeks ago out of the blue!
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I have a few old Predator cues and custom cues that came with matching original or pre-cat 314's, and I also have some 314-2's.
I even have an Ernie Martinez cue made in 95 that came with 2-Ernie shafts, and 2-matching Predator shafts made from original 314 blanks.
Although my belief has always been if I don't like the shafts made and tapered by the cuemaker, then I don't like that cuemakers cues.
With that said, I will admit that the Predator cues and shafts I have hit very well, and in some cases I do like them better than the cuemakers shafts.
As far as 314, 314 cat, 314-2, shafts are concerned, they all seem to hit very well.
The only concern I would have with the new Predator shafts is quality control.
I have heard some horror stories about lamination issues.
The only "after market" or LD shafts I like are Predator, Tiger-X, and the original universal smart shaft I picked up in Vegas back in 07, when I just wanted to buy something new.
In my opinion the 314-2 shafts are fine, 314 cat and pre-cat a little better, but what ever happened to playing with the cuemakers original shafts.
No question that you can take an inexpensive butt, add a 314-2 shaft, and have a very good playing cue.
I even have an Ernie Martinez cue made in 95 that came with 2-Ernie shafts, and 2-matching Predator shafts made from original 314 blanks.
Although my belief has always been if I don't like the shafts made and tapered by the cuemaker, then I don't like that cuemakers cues.
With that said, I will admit that the Predator cues and shafts I have hit very well, and in some cases I do like them better than the cuemakers shafts.
As far as 314, 314 cat, 314-2, shafts are concerned, they all seem to hit very well.
The only concern I would have with the new Predator shafts is quality control.
I have heard some horror stories about lamination issues.
The only "after market" or LD shafts I like are Predator, Tiger-X, and the original universal smart shaft I picked up in Vegas back in 07, when I just wanted to buy something new.
In my opinion the 314-2 shafts are fine, 314 cat and pre-cat a little better, but what ever happened to playing with the cuemakers original shafts.
No question that you can take an inexpensive butt, add a 314-2 shaft, and have a very good playing cue.
If you want a stiff low deflection shaft made from good wood the Mezz Hybrid Pro II may be right for you.
The deflection is even slightly less than on a 314-2, it`s all around solid wood, has a pretty nice and stiff taper and a great feedback. I played 314 since the beginning, but the soft hit and no feedback made me search for an alternative. The HPII really does it for me!
Have a great day!
The deflection is even slightly less than on a 314-2, it`s all around solid wood, has a pretty nice and stiff taper and a great feedback. I played 314 since the beginning, but the soft hit and no feedback made me search for an alternative. The HPII really does it for me!
Have a great day!
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