314-2 Shaft Vs. Z-2 Shaft

Chalk&Awe

Chalk&Awe

Gotta have that cue!
Silver Member
I have done some research on both of these shafts for myself, and have decided with my play style that I should choose the 314-2. I have also shot with a 314-2, and loved the feel of it. I have almost completely made up my mind of choosing the 314-2, but before I do, I was just wondering if there are any cons of this shaft that I should know about before purchasing one. Reviews, and experiences on both shafts would be appreciated, bad and good. :smile:
Thanks, Jake​
 
I would say try and hit some balls with both shafts before buying if at all possible. If you like a smaller diamater shaft you may like the z shaft better then the 314 2
 
depends on your style of play

I actually prefer the Z for more aggressive striking of cue ball for spin! But you do get more tip on the cue with the 314 and a more standard hit as compared to the much smaller Z tips. Should try and play with both even buy both and use them a lot to compare. Later you can easily sell one off to limit costs if that is a concern. Might even get them both used for less then if needed sell and get a new one when you decided.
 
hoolani said:
I actually prefer the Z for more aggressive striking of cue ball for spin! But you do get more tip on the cue with the 314 and a more standard hit as compared to the much smaller Z tips. Should try and play with both even buy both and use them a lot to compare. Later you can easily sell one off to limit costs if that is a concern. Might even get them both used for less then if needed sell and get a new one when you decided.
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I agree with you about the Z shaft playing better but you mentioned how much tip you get on the cue being different. Here I disagree with you. The way your tip is shaped determines how much tip hits the cue ball, provided your stick is level like it should be and you have a fairly straight stroke
 
I like the bigger tip of 12.75mm but hate the dead feeling ofr 314-2.
On the Z the feeling is preety good (stiffer hit) but for me the tip is too small.
I am a bigger guy with bigger hands.
If I were forced to play with one or the oether I would choose the Z shaft and use the open bridge as much as possible.

I will take a shaft that feels better over one that deflects less any day.
 
Buy the shaft from a dealer that gives full refund returns or will exchange. You can't get stuck with something you don't like.
 
A lot depends on how cleanly you can cue a ball - if you can hit exactly where intended, the Z will be fine. If you're prone to hitting slightly off-centre, the 314 is more forgiving.

Also depends on your playing style, of course. Finesse = Z, hammer = 314.
 
DrOnePocket said:
I agree with you about the Z shaft playing better but you mentioned how much tip you get on the cue being different. Here I disagree with you. The way your tip is shaped determines how much tip hits the cue ball, provided your stick is level like it should be and you have a fairly straight stroke
Click to expand...

Thks god that finally somebody tells the one and only answer if it s about *more tip* :-)
:thumbup:
 
I have been playing wiht a 314-1 for 3+ years and I bought a new Z2 for my birthday (this month).

At first glance the shafts are absolutely interchangible. I can shoot (practice) with one for an hour, then switch and shoot with the other for an hour and the number of shots made and missed remains essentially the same.

However, in more stressful situations where a match adds pressure to the shooting environs, the Z2 lets me down--or more precisely I let it down. The low tip-mass of the Z2 makes it easier for stroke mistakes to show up at the moment of cue-to-cue-ball contact. So any little flinch, loss of concentration, body movement shows up big time with the Z2 and less so with the 314-1.

I continue to work with the Z2 at home durring practice, and I feel that after I have it all figured out, it will become my prefered shaft. I do almost all of my practice with it, and like the way it feels and I like the smaller tip when I am "on game". It is just that I am not "on game" all the time, more so under the pressure of match play.
 
I have both; although I had my 314-2 made to 12.50. I like the 314-2 better than the Z2. the Z2 is a good shaft but you better be dead on with it because it is unforgiving as hell. I'm quite comfortable now with the 314-2 with a black kamui ss. I still shoot at times with the Z2 but only if I'm really in the zone..
 
I really don't understand people saying you need to be more precise with the Z2 vs. the 314-2. Or any other smaller diameter shaft vs. a more tradtional size. But maybe that's just me...

I played for 15 years with a standard Schon shaft, turned down to about 12.25 or so. When I first tried a predator, after a long layoff (6 years), I gravitated more to the Z2, plus that was the one I got to test hit longer, so I bought that. Played with it for 2+ years, loved it.

For some reason I wanted to try a thicker shaft, so I tried a 314-2 and eventually bought one of those. After some trial and error, I ended up switching to the 314-2 and have been playing with it constantly for the past few months.

I can play the same with either shaft, I certainly don't feel like one requires any more precision than the other. Maybe it's the sight picture of a thinner shaft that gives you the perception that you have to be more precise, but unless someone can scientifically explain to me that it's true I don't believe it, you can still move the contact point on either shaft over .5mm, 1mm, etc. and fine tune english in a very similar manner, one just looks like it's more off center than the other.

Spin is the same - another myth I hear people say - I can shoot every stroke shot with the 314-2 same as with the Z2. Yes, in theory you can get slightly lower on the ball without hitting the table with a smaller shaft, and therefore have slightly more clearance on extreme draw shots, but the difference is so minor it certainly wouldn't be a factor in normal play.

Deflection is less with the Z2 - while I can certainly shoot all center ball shots interchangably, I definitely had to retool my english adjustments for the 314-2 and have to be very conscious of that when switching back and forth. However, I do find the 314-2 to be more "standard" - far more good players seem to play with a shaft in the 12.5 - 13 range as opposed to under 12. And even though the Z2 is stiffer with it's taper, I feel a more solid hit with the 314-2 because of the larger width, just feels more solid.

I may end up switching back again, who knows, they are both good shafts. I think it just comes down to which thickness is closer to what you are used to or what you prefer and which feels better to you. Try both if you can for 30 - 60 minutes before you buy, you'll save yourself having to wonder later on like I did. Hope some of this helps...

Scott
 
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