Using old playing cue to break with

JBB2388

JBB2388

Banger Extraordinaire
Silver Member
Hi guys. I'm fairly new to the forum but not necessarily to the game. Been reading a lot for the past couple months as I have recently started playing more after taking a 10+ year hiatus from it for various reasons. Trying to determine what level player I am but I would guess somewhere around a C+/B-. I play in an APA 8-ball league as a 6 handicap and have a 78% lifetime win%. Anyway, I use an old playing cue(19oz Karella) to break with simply to spare the tip on my primary playing cue. I can't afford to spend any money on a good break cue at this time. Hopefully in the near future I can pick up an OB if funds allow. For now though I'd like to improve my current BC's performance by, at the very least, replacing the tip with a harder Samsara which I've read many good reviews about. My question is should I have a phenolic ferrule put on it as well? Is there any benefit vs the factory ferrule thats on it now other than maybe being somewhat stronger and less likely to break? I've used a buddy's BC with a phenolic tip/ferrule combination on it and although I like the solid hit it provides, it seems to cause me to miscue far more than I do with my own. This may be due to the dime size radius he keeps on it or simply because it doesn't hold chalk well. I suggested he try a nickel radius on it but he refused to. Either way I prefer not to use a phenolic tip for now. Thanks for any advice you can give me.
 
JBB2388 said:
Hi guys. I'm fairly new to the forum but not necessarily to the game. Been reading a lot for the past couple months as I have recently started playing more after taking a 10+ year hiatus from it for various reasons. Trying to determine what level player I am but I would guess somewhere around a C+/B-. I play in an APA 8-ball league as a 6 handicap and have a 78% lifetime win%. Anyway, I use an old playing cue(19oz Karella) to break with simply to spare the tip on my primary playing cue. I can't afford to spend any money on a good break cue at this time. Hopefully in the near future I can pick up an OB if funds allow. For now though I'd like to improve my current BC's performance by, at the very least, replacing the tip with a harder Samsara which I've read many good reviews about. My question is should I have a phenolic ferrule put on it as well? Is there any benefit vs the factory ferrule thats on it now other than maybe being somewhat stronger and less likely to break? I've used a buddy's BC with a phenolic tip/ferrule combination on it and although I like the solid hit it provides, it seems to cause me to miscue far more than I do with my own. This may be due to the dime size radius he keeps on it or simply because it doesn't hold chalk well. I suggested he try a nickel radius on it but he refused to. Either way I prefer not to use a phenolic tip for now. Thanks for any advice you can give me.
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No need for a phenolic ferrule. The Samsara Tip is all you need.:thumbup:
 
If the table isn't slow and the balls rack good and are clean, I use a playing cue to break with. The price of Break Cues are a joke when all you need is one off the wall if you want a heavier one. If your going to slam the balls as hard as you can you probably aren't going to hit where you were aiming anyhow unless your a pro. Johnnyt
 
I wouldn't bother replacing the ferule, assuming it's in decent condition.

However, it might be worth the extra $5 to have a fiber pad installed between the ferule and tip.

You're going to love the Samarsa tip. Plenty of crack and power but still decent control. Sometimes I play out a rack with my break cue, just for grins. I normally play with fairly soft tips so the hard Samarsa is a fun change-of-pace.
 
I prefer the radius of a half dollar on my break cue, less deflection & whole lot less miscuing
 
I like to have phenolic, or G10 ferules on everything I play or break with. I do it all with one cue. I jump, break, and shoot with it. I've broken over 30mph with this cue, and I have run a couple of 3 packs here and there with it. I've also made some of the sickest jump hots ever with it. (I also carry a jump cue, for more difficult jump shots.)

I'd break with it as it sits. If the ferrule gives out, upgrade it to linen phenolic, but to be perfectly honest, you don't need to change a thing. I wouldn't even waste the money on a samsara tip.
 
I had a one piece phenolic tip/ferrule on my "break cue" (which is actually just a cheap Action playing cue) for years. A few months ago, I had a G10 ferrule and Samsara tip installed on my second "break" shaft.

The difference is tremendous. I absolutely love the new combo. The phenolic-tipped shaft hasn't come out of my case since the day I spent a few hours comparing the two.

If you're not in the market for a production break cue, I say go for the G10 ferrule and Samsara tip. It's a cheap upgrade, and the sound, feel, control - and ultimately the results - make this a no-brainer.

Best of luck!

-Blake
 
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