considering a new break cue...

instroke2

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I realize the importance of a good break, and have been loosing control of whitey off the table or scratching in the side. I have been using a older Sledgehammer, and have tried a friends Mcdermott Stinger.

But was interested in either Predator BK2 or Lucasi Big Beuluh 2... something with low deflection, just in case if I don't hit the center of the cue ball during my stroke.

Is the BK2 worth the price? And anyone care to coment on the Lucasi in terms of deflection?

thxs for the help
 
I have a more expensive and well regarded break cue, but I recently tried a friends bk2.

Honestly I feel like I wasted my money. For me, I can hit noticeably harder and consistently more accurate with the BK2.

I may buy one, but I'm also curious about the OB Break cue.
 
I have a BK2 and originally bought it with the OB Break shaft, based on recommendations from a trusted friend. It is a surprisingly solid hit, considering the shaft. I also have the original BK2 shaft with their phenolic tip, and there is a difference. Not *too* much though. My first hit with the BK2 shaft felt a little 'softer' than with the OBB; which I thought was odd. But, after using it for a week I no longer notice the slight difference and repeatedly get the same results.

Just last week, I tried a friend's Stinger; and it was a tank! He didn't tell me the weight, but if I had to guess, it felt like somewhere in the low-mid 20's; whereas my BK2 is a 19ish.

Also, here's a short video of me getting used to the BK2+OBB: http://vimeo.com/19609920 you can BreakSpeed it and see that I'm not hitting the rack too hard - usually around 19mph and getting great results.
 
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Hey stljohnny

I notice in your sig:

"Breaker: BK2 + Samsara"

Is that just a Samsara tip, or do you play with a Samsara break cue too?
 
I have a big beaulah 2 and I like it alot. def recommend it but I haven't tried many other break cues so I have nothing to compare it to.
 
One of the guys that comes in the room i play at has a mezz pb-di2 and loves it. the few times i have hit with it i really like it as well.

but for that price im having a break cue made by a local cue maker using a base ball bat for a shaft i think they hit a lot harder.
 
I have tried a number of different break cues. I can say without hesitation that the BK2 is the best one I tried. The overall feel, balance, and of course power is second to none. I believe the LD shaft makes a significant difference on the break...Lord knows people are more likely to hit off center on the break than on any other shot.

I use the wrapless model. HIGHLY recommended!

KMRUNOUT
 
Hey stljohnny

I notice in your sig:

"Breaker: BK2 + Samsara"

Is that just a Samsara tip, or do you play with a Samsara break cue too?

Well, currently I have the standard Bk2 shaft on it, but I have the samsara tip; just haven't put it on the bk2 shaft yet. I wanted to see how the stock tip worked. I just got the bk2 shaft last week, so... My original setup was the bk2 butt with the obbreak/samsara.
 
I went through a couple break cues before getting my BK2, which I received as a generous gift. I can say that the BK2 is a great break cue, really solid hitting, and transmits feel very well. The build quality is great, the joint is fantastic, and the shaft works really well.

I got the factory phenolic tip on mine, which I like, but if I was involved in any BCA play it would not be legal, and I would then get a second shaft with an organic tip. I went with phenolic to maintain consistency and minimize maintence.

It's funny, sometimes I would forget to switch my cue out after breaking, and the cue played really well. I could shoot really far off center and not miscue, and I would get a lot of action on whitey. Pred's phenolic tip does much better than other cues I've played with phenolics... I've only miscued with my break cue once, and that was just a lack of chalk. Also, after two years, the phenolic tip still looks brand new... I have not had to maintain it at all, other than chalking it.

For whatever it's worth, last year I saw Oscar Dominquez try out sombody's BK2 at a Seminole event and he was liking it. Don't know if he ever went out and bought one for himself, but if you like the comfort of professional endorsements, that's close to one :)

Good luck.
 
No. The BK2 is not worth the money considering there are cheaper and just as effective break cues out there. I have a BK2 but im done with it i keep shattering the shafts and yes the BK2 shafts are hollow as well, i want to get the Joss Thor break cue heard a few good things about it.
 
I use the TNT break cue with a Samsara tip - came in right at $200.00 shipped to me and I couldn't be happier with it.
 
The bk2 is pretty solid. I had one with a 30" shaft and liked it a lot. Right now I have a Mezz PB Pro with a DI Pro shaft and that cue is so solid it amazed me. If I were to suggest one it would be a Mezz breaker....you won't regret it.
 
I have a BK2 and really like it. I have tried a sledgehammer and loved it, I think it breaks harder, but I often wonder if I would suffer accuracy also so I stick with the pred. Btw...it doesn't FEEL hollow. Hits like a tank. No regrets.
 
I realize the importance of a good break, and have been loosing control of whitey off the table or scratching in the side.

thxs for the help

You probably don't want to hear this but "loosing control of whitey" (off the table or scratching in the side) isn't because of your break cue. It's your fault and likely a problem with your mechanics or fundamentals. Although your mechanics may be sound at normal (low to medium stroke speeds) any flaws will show up more readily at higher speeds like the break shot.

Let me ask this, How often do you specifically practice your break shot? A good practice routine that focuses on your break shot will do you a lot more good than buying a new cue. I realize this isn't the popular answer but unless there's something fundamentally wrong with the cue you're using now, it's not your equipment.

You can set up a stop shot drill and work on stopping the cue ball while increasing your stroke speed. I think it will help you have a more controlled break.
 
You probably don't want to hear this but "loosing control of whitey" (off the table or scratching in the side) isn't because of your break cue. It's your fault and likely a problem with your mechanics or fundamentals. Although your mechanics may be sound at normal (low to medium stroke speeds) any flaws will show up more readily at higher speeds like the break shot.

Let me ask this, How often do you specifically practice your break shot? A good practice routine that focuses on your break shot will do you a lot more good than buying a new cue. I realize this isn't the popular answer but unless there's something fundamentally wrong with the cue you're using now, it's not your equipment.

You can set up a stop shot drill and work on stopping the cue ball while increasing your stroke speed. I think it will help you have a more controlled break.

Ok, good words of wisdom, I will practice the stop shot drill... and practice perfecting my break stroke... thxs
 
I have a BK2 and really like it. I have tried a sledgehammer and loved it, I think it breaks harder, but I often wonder if I would suffer accuracy also so I stick with the pred. Btw...it doesn't FEEL hollow. Hits like a tank. No regrets.

Your right the BK2 shaft does not feel hollow i was just really surprised when i shatterd two shafts and found they were hollow.
 
No. The BK2 is not worth the money considering there are cheaper and just as effective break cues out there. I have a BK2 but im done with it i keep shattering the shafts and yes the BK2 shafts are hollow as well, i want to get the Joss Thor break cue heard a few good things about it.

Strange...Mike Dechaine has hit many 33mph+ breaks with BK2's...don't think he has shattered any shafts. You must be hitting it much harder ;-)

KMRUNOUT
 
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