Tonight I got the privilege to hit with the prototype BK-3. All I have to say is, WOW. On my second break, I hit the rack at 36.12 MPH. The work that has gone into this cue is like no other and I can't wait until I get one.
MD
MD
36.12 mph
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That's a ton of velocity. What was your previous best break speed (or best speed with ANY cue)???
Maniac
That is enormous, but Mike, what is your normal break speed when you are really going after it? In other words, are you saying your break speed goes up with this cue? And if so, by how much?
My average break with the BK 2 was around 32 or 33 when i was trying to kill it. Now, after testing this out, I average around 34.5+. Its really incredible.
So roughly a 3% lift in break speed. Not bad.
I am not trying to be a jerk or anything but what does a cue have to do with break speed? I am curious about what would increase your speed using the BK3 verse the BK2.
Do you honestly plan on breaking that hard? And if not, what other benefit do you gain from this break cue as opposed to the previous version?
Phenomenal break speed! I have seen a vid of you at around 34 mph, OMG that is snapping them. 36 mph is a huge increase and I imagine that it is mostly psychological at this point. But it matters not......the bottom line is you are seeing an increase when using this cue.
I will delete the video of your 34 mph break from my favorites and replace it with your 36 if you can get it recorded:grin:
I will delete the video of your 34 mph break from my favorites and replace it with your 36 if you can get it recorded:grin:
The Cue has everything todo with break speed... Everyone is trying to find the cue that generates 100% transfer of energy... The BK2 is 90-92% from the tests... I am assuming if Mike upped his speed 3% they have found something that is around 95% COR.....
And as far as does he intend to break that hard?? No... What it means is he can hit the balls softer and get more energy transfer... Softer stroke with less speed is always more accurate than waylaying the balls... If the BK3 is 95% COR to generate 25mph he would strike the ball with a 26.32mph stroke... If he was using a leather tip like the Everest which is around 72% COR he would have to have a stroke speed around 34.72mph to get a 25mph cueball speed.... Which do you think is more accurate......
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With a sample size of 1 you can't assume anything.
Also if you break 25mph on average, a 3% increase would bring you up to a meaningless 25.75.
Unless you're trying to win a break speed contest I don't see much of a benefit if you can get +30 with a house cue anyway.
I'm sure the BK3 will be awesome, I loved the BK2... all I'm saying is there probably won't be much of a difference. I'd like to try one out though.
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With a sample size of 1 you can't assume anything.
Also if you break 25mph on average, a 3% increase would bring you up to a meaningless 25.75.
Unless you're trying to win a break speed contest I don't see much of a benefit if you can get +30 with a house cue anyway.
I'm sure the BK3 will be awesome, I loved the BK2... all I'm saying is there probably won't be much of a difference. I'd like to try one out though.
your math is assuming 3% in break speed increase and discounting COR... At 92% COR to hit 25mph swing speed is 27.13 at 95% COR it drops to 26.32mph Swing speed... While it is not a full MPH is is not negligible and will allow a pro speed player to concentrate more on control than power.....
Most players want the same results on the break with a softer stroke... I agree a sample of 1 won't prove anything but if the samples that follow Mike are in line.... Predator has indeed made a break thru.....
I understand your argument completely, but most pro's can already break much harder with control than they already do.
Take Corey or SVB for instance, they are two of the best breakers ever and they always break at the speed most conducive to potting a ball, not at the highest speed possible while maintaining control.
Nevertheless I'm sure the BK3 will be a great break cue and I applaud Predator for constantly striving to improve their product.
The Mezz Power Break line and the Predator BK line have been the best break cues I've tried.
What made your cueball speed so much faster? Was the cue lighter? Was it balanced differently?
Break speed is alot like clubhead speed in golf. If clubhead speed goes up by alot then the club was lighter or the shaft was longer for the most part because beyond that it is the persons own body creating the speed. The golf-ball speed can vary based on the way the clubhead is designed and the trampoline effect of the face of the driver, but as yet I have not seen a cue that actually imparted much for additional speed to the cueball due to something comparable to the COR in golf drivers.
If you were hitting the cueball with a faster speed then you were actually making the cue go through the cueball faster with this new cue, the question is thus why?
I have liked the Predator BK cues and think they are solid and appreciate you explaining it Renfro. I have owned many break cues, probably 10-15 of them, BK and BK2, Mezz Powerbreak II and many others that are even custom. I just recently acquired one of these newer Samsara jump breaks and am trying to give it sometime to see how it performs. I think the best break cue I have ever owned was a purpleheart 4 point butt with a maple shaft that was made by Tommy Migliore of TNS cues, I would love to have that bad boy back.
I agree with you, and I would also like to know what kind of cue ball control can be achieved when hitting the cue with that much power. I guess I am old school because the way I learned to play cue ball control was as important as making a ball.
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Well buddy .....
Still both is the key in my opinion. The *brutal* version will usualy let out just then, if all fails (my opinion). i just know about 3-4 guys where i am 100% sure, that they work on their break permanently and like crazy. And these ppl never try to get to the limit- just to the speed they can control as good as possible.
But anyway-- if a company found a way to develope a new way to transport more energy, this is nice. But in my way 2mph ar not that important (for me). I do my break between 22-25mph max. And often less if i found the *holy point* ^^
But Mike is a pro- and he has to do everything to increase his game. So 2 mph maybe is an amazing help for him
p.s. i m still waiting for the day where all Phenolic Tips/constructions are not legal anymore. The day where just leather as a stip is allowed i ll cheer like crazy ^^
lg from overseas,
Ingo