What is the stiffest low deflection shaft out there?

twal

twal

"W"
Silver Member
I am looking for a new low deflection shaft for my Schon that is very stiff.
I like the tip to be between 12.5mm to 13mm but prefer 12.75mm.
I was looking at the OB classic but just have not had the funds to pull the trigger yet.

About 2 yrs ago low deflection in a shaft was more important to me than feel. My game has changed since then. I now find myself missing that feel.

I love how crisp the standard shaft feels and the control of the CB you get. However like most, I want to take full advantage of a LD shaft as well. Fell is more important to me than deflection.

So back to topic… If you have not shot with the classic maybe you could rate you top 2 LD shafts as I am sure I can’t be the only one looking for this.

Thanks to all who respond
 
My recommendation.

twal said:
I am looking for a new low deflection shaft for my Schon that is very stiff.
I like the tip to be between 12.5mm to 13mm but prefer 12.75mm.
I was looking at the OB classic but just have not had the funds to pull the trigger yet.

About 2 yrs ago low deflection in a shaft was more important to me than feel. My game has changed since then. I now find myself missing that feel.

I love how crisp the standard shaft feels and the control of the CB you get. However like most, I want to take full advantage of a LD shaft as well. Fell is more important to me than deflection.

So back to topic… If you have not shot with the classic maybe you could rate you top 2 LD shafts as I am sure I can’t be the only one looking for this.

Thanks to all who respond
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I would def suggest trying the OB classic. It has that crisp, solid feel with the LD properties. I think you will be very very pleased with the product, and the customer service is second to none. Good luck with your choice.

Frank C
 
Mezz WD700 IF you get a perfect match with your Schön thread. Dream scenario would be the Mezz United joint on a Schön matched with the wd700. Tiger Ultra shafts are also nice, if you get the fit perfect. I guesw there is 5/16-14 thread and then there is 5/16-14. I actually recommend trying any of Mezz cues, cause they got what you need.
 
Stiff

Need to be stiff but LD?! No need to search anymore. OB Classic is the answer. Also I might be delight with I2.
 
I think that Mezz has a very nice product.
I do own the WD700 and in my opinion it is not that stiff.
My Jacoby Hybrid is much stiffer than that.

Again, that is just my opinion and that is what I was looking for here... opinions.

The I shaft is one I thought about but figured I would need to get an i1 to get a nice stiff playing shaft.
 
twal said:
I am looking for a new low deflection shaft for my Schon that is very stiff.
I like the tip to be between 12.5mm to 13mm but prefer 12.75mm.
I was looking at the OB classic but just have not had the funds to pull the trigger yet.

About 2 yrs ago low deflection in a shaft was more important to me than feel. My game has changed since then. I now find myself missing that feel.

I love how crisp the standard shaft feels and the control of the CB you get. However like most, I want to take full advantage of a LD shaft as well. Fell is more important to me than deflection.

So back to topic… If you have not shot with the classic maybe you could rate you top 2 LD shafts as I am sure I can’t be the only one looking for this.

Thanks to all who respond
Click to expand...

Definitely OB Classic if you want stiff and a solid feel. If cost is a concern, just look for a used one - you should be able to find one.
 
Yes, the HP2 is pretty stiff even the HP1 is as well. The ob classic is about the same and with the awesome service that Royce provides, you cannot go wrong.

What pin is your WD700? i've had two, one 3/8 x 10 and united joint. Both were firm.
 
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Ok, I'll bite. How can a shaft be both LD and stiff?

The whole point of an LD shaft is for it to bend and deflect off the cueball. A stiff shaft would not allow that to happen.
 
Monstermash said:
Ok, I'll bite. How can a shaft be both LD and stiff?

The whole point of an LD shaft is for it to bend and deflect off the cueball. A stiff shaft would not allow that to happen.
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Iono, but of all the low deflections shafts the OP is looking for the stiffest one :p
 
Monstermash said:
Ok, I'll bite. How can a shaft be both LD and stiff?

The whole point of an LD shaft is for it to bend and deflect off the cue ball. A stiff shaft would not allow that to happen.
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The low deflection shafts do not bend away from the cue ball.

They are pushed (deflected) away from the cue ball because of less mass than a regular shaft.
 
billiardcue said:
The low deflection shafts do not bend away from the cue ball.

They are pushed (deflected) away from the cue ball because of less mass than a regular shaft.
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Dick, I think you need a lesson in Physics.

According to Merriam Webster

Definition of STIFF
1a : not easily bent : rigid <a stiff collar> b : lacking in suppleness or flexibility <stiff muscles> c : impeded in movement —used of a mechanism <a truck's stiff suspension>

Definition of DEFLECT
transitive verb
: to turn aside especially from a straight course or fixed direction
intransitive verb
: to turn aside : deviate

Origin of DEFLECT
Latin deflectere to bend down, turn aside, from de- + flectere to bend
 
Monstermash said:
Dick, I think you need a lesson in Physics.
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Considering the the depth and complexity of physics I have to agree and I am always willing to learn.
Monstermash said:
According to Merriam Webster

Definition of STIFF
1a : not easily bent : rigid <a stiff collar> b : lacking in suppleness or flexibility <stiff muscles> c : impeded in movement —used of a mechanism <a truck's stiff suspension>

Definition of DEFLECT
transitive verb
: to turn aside especially from a straight course or fixed direction
intransitive verb
: to turn aside : deviate

Origin of DEFLECT
Latin deflectere to bend down, turn aside, from de- + flectere to bend
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The Merriam Webster definitions confirm what I stated in my first post.

When a cue ball is struck left or right of center something has to give (deflect), either the ball pushes (deflects) the cue or the cue pushes (deflects) the ball.

The LD shaft does not bend (lack of rigidity) it deflects - to turn aside especially from a straight course or fixed direction.

Maybe you need a lesson in the physics of a pool stick and its relationship to the cue ball.
 
billiardcue said:
Considering the the depth and complexity of physics I have to agree and I am always willing to learn.

The Merriam Webster definitions confirm what I stated in my first post.

When a cue ball is struck left or right of center something has to give (deflect), either the ball pushes (deflects) the cue or the cue pushes (deflects) the ball.

The LD shaft does not bend (lack of rigidity) it deflects - to turn aside especially from a straight course or fixed direction.

Maybe you need a lesson in the physics of a pool stick and its relationship to the cue ball.
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Sorry Dick, you're wrong.

The shaft of the cue MUST bend in order for it to "deflect". The "turning aside" is on it's own plane or axis. Otherwise what you would have is a miscue. I could sit here and discuss the coefficients of friction with you but I'll leave that conversation for another time.
When the tip strikes the cueball off axis, one of two things is going to happen assuming there is not a miscue.

1. The cueball will deflect. or
2. The shaft will bend because of having less mass thus creating the LD effect on the cueball.

I think what you are forgetting is that when a shaft is considered "low deflection" it is referring to it's effect on the cue ball.

BTW, Physics is physics. It does not change because we're discussing pool cues.
 
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On the physics end, I have always viewed the low deflections shafts as shafts at end bending and thus not pushing the CB in the opposite direction. This deflection to the right or left only occurs when the CC is struck anywhere off center.
If you stay in the vertical axis there would be no deflection at all.

That is why putting max draw or follow is much tougher with a L/D shaft.

Anyway, back to topic…

Sounds like the OB classic is worth trying for me.

The Mezz HP II is a possibility but what concerns me with that is that people say that that has a lower deflection than the WD700. I already think the WD700 is too whippy. So is the HP II shaft is bending more?? And thus when the CB is struck how will this feel stiffer?
Maybe it has a different taper.

Given the cost of the two the bang for buck goes to OB.

I do think that the taper of a shaft has more to do with feel that I give it credit for.

Very interesting discussion here.
 
twal said:
I do think that the taper of a shaft has more to do with feel that I give it credit for.
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With the Classic, the actual internal construction of the shaft is what causes it to stiffen up. Because of the glue and laminations, etc., and since it's not hollow inside, it's a lot stiffer than the regular OB1 shaft but Royce told me it has exactly the same taper. Also, the Classic is denser and heavier than other shafts in it's class - it has a natural weight of nearly 4 ounces at 29" and the average in this class, unweighted, is more like 3.5 ounces.

Concerning stiffness and cue ball squirt, I'm not convinced that a stiffer shaft causes the cue ball to squirt more. Dr. Dave says it should, but I believe the weight of the shaft at the tip end has much greater effect on squirt than how much and where it bends.

That being said, the concensus among testers was the Classic squirts a little more than the hollow end shafts, like the Predator 314, but it's within a manageable tolerance and it really holds up to power shots.

My friend is 6'7" and we set him up with a couple of Classics that were as long as we could make them - about 31", for his 62" cue. Long cues tend to flex like a mother on power shots, making them difficult to control. At first he almost stopped using the Classic because he was used to a flexible cue and had difficulty adapting, then he started playing better and better and better with it - and he has one heck of a stroke. His bridge is about 14" and he uses all of it in his stroke.

Chris
 
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