PM me your UltraSkin Layered Cue Tip Story
- Thread starter TomHay
- Start date
The drama on this post is childish. It is supposed to be about Ultra skin tips. I've known Tom for 20 years and his sincerity is above and beyond reproach, If he takes offense at someones comments it is probably because at some level they were offensive. My response to the comments in question would have been a lot more blunt and I do mean a lot more. Gimme a break, you have a problem with someone selling a tip for a low price when you don't know how it plays? I understand that much of this business is driven by hype and straight bullshit when it comes to tips, and there is a tendency to judge something by its price, but when something comes along that is new and a good deal, why not try it out first before going off like a 7 year old.
As to how the tips play, its a little hard to make a final judgement after only a few days but I do have some impressions so far. I have logged 5 hours of 3 cushion hitting the shots hard with a medium Ultra Skin, and another 3 hours of 8 ball and so far I can honestly say I haven't ever played with a tip I like better. It does exactly what I want a tip to do and it has great feedback. I can spin the 3C ball as much as I want to and I'm using a 12.5 mm pool shaft. You can feel the tip grabbing the cue ball. There is just the slightest fuzzing of the edge, but after hitting what is effectively a break shot over and over for hours and still having the sensitive feel of a new tip I'm in love. The medium tip is a little softer than other mediums I am used to but it definitely isn't mushy. I miscued a couple times on 8 ball break shots but changing to better chalk (Blue Diamond) eliminated that problem.
I liked the medium so much I also tried a hard tip on my other shaft and it plays the same as far as ball control and bite on the cue ball but it feels like more of what I think of as a medium hit. I played a little straight pool with it and I can make the cue ball do tricks even with little strokes.
After 50+ years putting tips on cues and 25 years building cues I truly haven't used a tip I like as much as this one. It reminds me of a tip I heard about from Butch Leonard a protege of Joe Canton and a great straight pool player in his day He was always talking about this "black diamond" tip Charlie Mumbles had on a cue he bought. It was like magic, you just wanted it to do something and it did it. Butch spent the next 15 years trying to find another of these magic tips and he never did. I might have found it for him.
These Ultra skin tips are what I am going to use on my cues from now on and what I'm recommending to anyone who asks.
As far as who made them and where they were made, I couldn't possibly care less. These tips without any hype, marketing, or endorsements are, in my opinion, the best tips on the market and I have spoken to three other people using them and they love them too. Kamuii, Moori and other top dollar tips don't play as well. Blackcreek cues and I both feel the same.
As to how the tips play, its a little hard to make a final judgement after only a few days but I do have some impressions so far. I have logged 5 hours of 3 cushion hitting the shots hard with a medium Ultra Skin, and another 3 hours of 8 ball and so far I can honestly say I haven't ever played with a tip I like better. It does exactly what I want a tip to do and it has great feedback. I can spin the 3C ball as much as I want to and I'm using a 12.5 mm pool shaft. You can feel the tip grabbing the cue ball. There is just the slightest fuzzing of the edge, but after hitting what is effectively a break shot over and over for hours and still having the sensitive feel of a new tip I'm in love. The medium tip is a little softer than other mediums I am used to but it definitely isn't mushy. I miscued a couple times on 8 ball break shots but changing to better chalk (Blue Diamond) eliminated that problem.
I liked the medium so much I also tried a hard tip on my other shaft and it plays the same as far as ball control and bite on the cue ball but it feels like more of what I think of as a medium hit. I played a little straight pool with it and I can make the cue ball do tricks even with little strokes.
After 50+ years putting tips on cues and 25 years building cues I truly haven't used a tip I like as much as this one. It reminds me of a tip I heard about from Butch Leonard a protege of Joe Canton and a great straight pool player in his day He was always talking about this "black diamond" tip Charlie Mumbles had on a cue he bought. It was like magic, you just wanted it to do something and it did it. Butch spent the next 15 years trying to find another of these magic tips and he never did. I might have found it for him.
These Ultra skin tips are what I am going to use on my cues from now on and what I'm recommending to anyone who asks.
As far as who made them and where they were made, I couldn't possibly care less. These tips without any hype, marketing, or endorsements are, in my opinion, the best tips on the market and I have spoken to three other people using them and they love them too. Kamuii, Moori and other top dollar tips don't play as well. Blackcreek cues and I both feel the same.
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Now that's an endorsement.
Got my ten pack of UltraSkin tips a couple of days ago. Shipping was quick compared to most shipments I get from the US, as I am in Canada things tend to slow down at Customs. Mr Hay had attached a Customs PS Form 2976 with a declaration, so that sped things up immensly, I thank you for that Tom, most people dont bother with that detail. Now on to the tips...
I put a soft on my original pre-cat 314 Predator shaft, a medium on my original Dishaw maple shaft, and a hard on my OB-Classic Pro shaft.
Install was smooth, I use Locktite gel, and shaping was easy.
I played about two hours of eight and nine ball with each shaft comparing grip, wear, chalk holding ability, feedback.
Soft: Does play very well, I like it way better than the Kamui Black SS tip that was on the 314. It did not mushroom at all, and I tend to shoot harder than I should. Draws very well, and I can put lots of spin on the cue ball effortlessly. Held chalk well, ( I use Blue Diamond), after two hours with the exception of the added chalk, it looked the same as when the tip was installed. If you like a soft hitting layered tip, then this is for you. It has a firm but soft hit with great feedback and control.
Medium: Not as hard a hit as the Kamui Black medium that was on the shaft before, but ever so slightly softer. Also again , great control, feedback from the hit, very good draw, no wear or mushrooming after a couple of hours play. I think this is a great tip.
Hard: This was the most difficult tip for me to critique as I tend to like a medium or soft tip. I was greatly surprised from this tip as I have a mental block to hard tips. I suppose this comes from my upbringing back in the old days when Elkmaster and LePro tips were all you could get where I grew up. This tip really has changed my mind on the hard tip. I always would tend to miscue with a hard tip, but the grip and control of the UltraSkin hard tip is making me think, maybe I'm wrong. Heheh, the hard tip held the chalk the same as the other two tips did, no mushrooming what so ever, I can draw quite well with it, though I am still getting used to the hardness. Also again, great feedback from the hit.
So my final comment on these tips are two thumbs up Mr Hay, a great tip at an even greater price. I would buy them again without hesitation.
As far as the negative drama that has infected this thread....some of you should grow up and actually test the product before you make your comments. If you have a beef with how or where something is made, then turn your back on the deal. Walk away, no one is forcing you to give these tips a try. I for one am very satisfied that I got ten...yup....ten tips for less than the cost of ONE Kamui Black tip. :thumbup::thumbup:
I put a soft on my original pre-cat 314 Predator shaft, a medium on my original Dishaw maple shaft, and a hard on my OB-Classic Pro shaft.
Install was smooth, I use Locktite gel, and shaping was easy.
I played about two hours of eight and nine ball with each shaft comparing grip, wear, chalk holding ability, feedback.
Soft: Does play very well, I like it way better than the Kamui Black SS tip that was on the 314. It did not mushroom at all, and I tend to shoot harder than I should. Draws very well, and I can put lots of spin on the cue ball effortlessly. Held chalk well, ( I use Blue Diamond), after two hours with the exception of the added chalk, it looked the same as when the tip was installed. If you like a soft hitting layered tip, then this is for you. It has a firm but soft hit with great feedback and control.
Medium: Not as hard a hit as the Kamui Black medium that was on the shaft before, but ever so slightly softer. Also again , great control, feedback from the hit, very good draw, no wear or mushrooming after a couple of hours play. I think this is a great tip.
Hard: This was the most difficult tip for me to critique as I tend to like a medium or soft tip. I was greatly surprised from this tip as I have a mental block to hard tips. I suppose this comes from my upbringing back in the old days when Elkmaster and LePro tips were all you could get where I grew up. This tip really has changed my mind on the hard tip. I always would tend to miscue with a hard tip, but the grip and control of the UltraSkin hard tip is making me think, maybe I'm wrong. Heheh, the hard tip held the chalk the same as the other two tips did, no mushrooming what so ever, I can draw quite well with it, though I am still getting used to the hardness. Also again, great feedback from the hit.
So my final comment on these tips are two thumbs up Mr Hay, a great tip at an even greater price. I would buy them again without hesitation.
As far as the negative drama that has infected this thread....some of you should grow up and actually test the product before you make your comments. If you have a beef with how or where something is made, then turn your back on the deal. Walk away, no one is forcing you to give these tips a try. I for one am very satisfied that I got ten...yup....ten tips for less than the cost of ONE Kamui Black tip. :thumbup::thumbup:
Well, Hell, as a businessman I know this calls for raiseing prices but thats not happening. Lets have a soft sale insted. One order per customer 10 UltraSkinLayered Soft Cue tips, $28.00 to run until 12:00PM tomorrow August 6th. Sorry, no mix and match for sale. Out of Lower 48 States, add $3.00 shipping and handling. PayPal Tcue@aol.com
Thanks for all the support.
Thanks for all the support.
I just had a custom build finished by Brent Hartman (BHQ) and we never discussed a tip so he suggested Tom's tips. I never heard of them at the time but Brent was very impressed with the Ultraskin Layered tips. Never having any issues dealing with BHQ, I listened to what he had to say and he installed Tom's tips on both shafts.
I played 10 racks with the new cue and never had a miscue. I didn't chalk after every shot, in fact I would go 6 to 8 shots without chalking and never had any issues. I was able to use any type of english, follow or draw and felt like I was always making solid contact and was in control of the cueball.
Just wanted to thank Brent for the suggestion and Tom for making an affordable tip that performs at a high level and makes playing pool enjoyable.
Michael
I played 10 racks with the new cue and never had a miscue. I didn't chalk after every shot, in fact I would go 6 to 8 shots without chalking and never had any issues. I was able to use any type of english, follow or draw and felt like I was always making solid contact and was in control of the cueball.
Just wanted to thank Brent for the suggestion and Tom for making an affordable tip that performs at a high level and makes playing pool enjoyable.
Michael
So far I've installed a S on my own shaft,and the M on one for a customer.
The customer had me cut off a Tiger Onyx to try the M,and he swears it's WAY better than the Onyx. I hit balls with his cue and he's right. It's firmer,denser,grips well and doesn't kill the tone of the cue it's on.
I see and feel NO difference than the Kamui Black M. Highest rating I can give it at this point.
The S on my shaft is the best soft tip I've ever used,and the only one I've liked,I tend to like them harder than most.
This is a dead-nuts product,and a no-brainer on price. Tommy D.
The customer had me cut off a Tiger Onyx to try the M,and he swears it's WAY better than the Onyx. I hit balls with his cue and he's right. It's firmer,denser,grips well and doesn't kill the tone of the cue it's on.
I see and feel NO difference than the Kamui Black M. Highest rating I can give it at this point.
The S on my shaft is the best soft tip I've ever used,and the only one I've liked,I tend to like them harder than most.
This is a dead-nuts product,and a no-brainer on price. Tommy D.
I dont really need them but I can't pass them up either.
I couldn't help myself Tom. I just sent funds for 10 more of your great soft tips. And thanks for not jacking up the price. I had a friend shoot with my cue last night. He's a little better player then me and after a couple of shots. He was shocked at the stuff he was getting on the cue ball. He even asked if he could shoot the rest of the tourney with my cue. I really hated telling him no. I'm pretty sure what kind of tip he will have on he's cue next ;-)
I couldn't help myself Tom. I just sent funds for 10 more of your great soft tips. And thanks for not jacking up the price. I had a friend shoot with my cue last night. He's a little better player then me and after a couple of shots. He was shocked at the stuff he was getting on the cue ball. He even asked if he could shoot the rest of the tourney with my cue. I really hated telling him no. I'm pretty sure what kind of tip he will have on he's cue next ;-)
tips
Tom
Just sent pay pal for 10 soft. I have installed 11 tips thus far and everyone is happy with them. I have a local cue builder putting them on all his new cues. Good work, great tips and greater prices. Thanks Tom!!!
Terry Aeschliman
Tom
Just sent pay pal for 10 soft. I have installed 11 tips thus far and everyone is happy with them. I have a local cue builder putting them on all his new cues. Good work, great tips and greater prices. Thanks Tom!!!
Terry Aeschliman
question
Tom ........... and anyone else
I put on a soft for a guy that has always used Le Pro. He constantly grinds on his tips because that is his experience with Le Pro. They always compress down and get glazed over. He uses one of those horrible little block scuffer/shapers. His tips just disappear over the course of a week or 2.
I have a med on my stick and I have never scuffed it. Even after a miscue, I just re chalk it and move on. Personally, I don't think they need it.
My question is ........... does anyone find the real need to scuff these tips?
thanks
Kim
Tom ........... and anyone else
I put on a soft for a guy that has always used Le Pro. He constantly grinds on his tips because that is his experience with Le Pro. They always compress down and get glazed over. He uses one of those horrible little block scuffer/shapers. His tips just disappear over the course of a week or 2.
I have a med on my stick and I have never scuffed it. Even after a miscue, I just re chalk it and move on. Personally, I don't think they need it.
My question is ........... does anyone find the real need to scuff these tips?
thanks
Kim
from my personal experience (supported by some posts at AZB) it is not recommended to scuff ANY layered tip, let alone severe grinding. I've heard even treating them with a TipPik could result in delamination. That is the reason I suppose Kamui invented their GatorGrip tool with tiny pins that are intended to just gently roughen glazed surface. Since then I have seen at least three tools baring same concept, so if a customer wants to work on his tip (though I don't recommend) I advise he gets one of those.
Long story short: no, no need to scuff UltraSkins, just chalk them up and proceed.
Wow, this thread has been highly entertaining, but as of yet I fail to find the obvious question asked or answered: If these are made in the Keebler tree, do the come in chocolate chip or with a creme filling? ... but seriously...
If I can find a tip that plays well, the way I want it to and it's priced the way Tom Hay has priced these tips, do I care where it came from? Not in the least. That being said, I have not had a chance to try your tips yet and pardon me for being a freakin' idiot, I'm still learning to navigate this web site so can you please post your link or pm it to me, I know it's here but I can't seem to find it. I don't have the repair experience (or talent) that many of you have but I can change a tip (quite goodly), if the reviews are right and I can offer this to people, the billiard world over here would be better for it. Thanks, oh and let me know about that creme filled thing
If I can find a tip that plays well, the way I want it to and it's priced the way Tom Hay has priced these tips, do I care where it came from? Not in the least. That being said, I have not had a chance to try your tips yet and pardon me for being a freakin' idiot, I'm still learning to navigate this web site so can you please post your link or pm it to me, I know it's here but I can't seem to find it. I don't have the repair experience (or talent) that many of you have but I can change a tip (quite goodly), if the reviews are right and I can offer this to people, the billiard world over here would be better for it. Thanks, oh and let me know about that creme filled thing
There was no filling in any of the tips I received. Maybe the little bastards were on strike??
Even without filling, the one I put on my cue is more than satisfactory.
I put on a medium. It is pretty medium in hardness and still moves the ball the same as the soft milk duds I'm accustomed to.
FYI, this is a good review!:grin: