No need for a week of testing....
This shaft plays GREAT! I know I said I'd give it till the end of next week for this review, but after a good long practice day to give it the proper testing I can honestly say this is a great LD shaft and for the price, fuggedaboudid! Here's my comparisons..I brought with me 2 of the most popular of the LD shafts brands to compare to, an OB-1 12.75mm and an original Predator 314 12.3mm. I would shoot a series of particular shots using left and right english from minimum of half tip to maximim of 2 tips and started out wit ob then pred then the Vikore and heres my findings. The cue's feedback is like that of a regular maple shaft which is obviously the reason for it's design, It doesnt feel hollow or dead at all. I wish I had the Mezz's WD700 and McDermott's G-Core to compare the Vikore considering the similar LD design of utilizing a full maple shaft and coring it. In any case from what I remember from those shafts, I didnt like the taper as well as the feedback like I do with the Vikore. Before I move on lemme just say this, the feel of the hit doesnt feel like a Predator or an OB because of the full maple shaft design, so that being said let's get to the meat of the review and that's the shaft deflection performance between the 3. Oh and before I forget my tip shape used is a dime and the LD aiming I used is obviously parrallel english NOT pivot, whether its BHE or FHE. So onto the review...I started with just a half tip left and right across the board from corner to corner pocket with the cb 2 diamonds up from the bottom corner and the ob 2 diamonds from the top corner. I started with slow speeds pregressing to medium speeds until I finally got to high speeds. And found that all three performed equal in accuracy and speed with one and a half tip of english and up to medium speed strokes. However the differences started showing up when stroking the shot at higher speeds ( not punching the shot mind you ) and using more than a full tip of english. At the distance I had the shot set at the cue that performed the best of the bunch was the OB, second is the Pred and as I had predicted the Vikore was third. Now, this DOESNT mean the shaft didnt perform well , because it performed great, it just didnt stay as close to accurate as the others did with high speed strokes using a tip and a half of english or more. But here's my deal, I honestly NEVER use in games more than one tip of english and being able to use a tip and a half of english with great acuracy is all I look for and the fact that it has all the great characteristics of a standard maple shaft makes this shaft a great choice for any looking to upgrade their viking shaft whether its a standard or a V Pro V Spin or V Crush. Aside from english, follow and draw shots whether minimum or max was EASY PEASY LEMON SQUEEZY. Oh Before I forget, I really worked in the Everest tip it has till it hit hard like a rock. IMHO the medium/hard tip really gives the cue great feedback. I'm not a fav of soft tips due to too much "bounce" but I bet mixed with this shaft especially with it's taper, you would get some WICKED action. I know with the set up I have that it definitely made that cue ball dance when I was pulling off some crazy stroke shots. It was honestly scary buying this shaft because there's not a big market for vikings especially with their new LD shaft line up. I was just going to buy an OB for my viking ( The OG shaft is warped from OG owner ) and as some of you have seen, I have been posting in search for any and all Viking shafts but no one ever hit me up. ( Viking shafts must be hard to come by?? ) In any case here's my personal review of the shaft and I hope it helps any out there in deciding on pulling the trigger on one. what more can you ask for right? Standard maple shaft in every way but without all the high deflection, excellent taper..Can't miss, oh especially the price I got it at. For those of you who are lookin to get it for cheap, hit up Matt from Webbs Billiards..Lol he had to hit me up several times before I gave in..but honestly he took care of me and gave me a SICK deal on the shaft. Thanks all... PM me any particular questions you have on my take on the shaft.
PS...Just found out that this shaft can be ordered with any joint type, not just viking quick release. Good to know!