Kamui Black tips softness/hardness question

C

cuetechasaurus

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi all, I took a break from pool for a while dealing with some health issues. I still play occasionally, and I did play in this year's BCAPL tournament at the Rio. I put in about three solid weeks of practice before so I could at least get in semi-stroke before leaving for Vegas.

I had a three year old Kamui Black on my cue that used to hit very good, but I don't remember it's class of pliability, and since it was so old I had to replace it.

I decided to go with a medium when I got a new one put on, and although the hit was nice and crisp, I found myself miscuing quite frequently, and kept scuffing/tapping it. I somewhat caught the 'pool bug' again, and want to start playing a lot more again, and I'll probably have to get this tip replaced with a softer Kamui Black (they were always a personal favorite for me).

For someone who prefers standard medium to medium-soft tips, would the super soft or the soft be a better choice? I recall someone mentioning that the Kamui Blacks tend to be harder than they are labeled (in comparison to standard tips).

Or, if there is a way of saving a few bucks regarding this, is there a method of making my tip play a bit softer without having to change it?

Thanks in advance.
 
cuetechasaurus said:
Hi all, I took a break from pool for a while dealing with some health issues. I still play occasionally, and I did play in this year's BCAPL tournament at the Rio. I put in about three solid weeks of practice before so I could at least get in semi-stroke before leaving for Vegas.

I had a three year old Kamui Black on my cue that used to hit very good, but I don't remember it's class of pliability, and since it was so old I had to replace it.

I decided to go with a medium when I got a new one put on, and although the hit was nice and crisp, I found myself miscuing quite frequently, and kept scuffing/tapping it. I somewhat caught the 'pool bug' again, and want to start playing a lot more again, and I'll probably have to get this tip replaced with a softer Kamui Black (they were always a personal favorite for me).

For someone who prefers standard medium to medium-soft tips, would the super soft or the soft be a better choice? I recall someone mentioning that the Kamui Blacks tend to be harder than they are labeled (in comparison to standard tips).

Or, if there is a way of saving a few bucks regarding this, is there a method of making my tip play a bit softer without having to change it?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I prefer the regular soft over the super soft. The soft plays closer to a medium.
 
cuetechasaurus said:
Hi all, I took a break from pool for a while dealing with some health issues. I still play occasionally, and I did play in this year's BCAPL tournament at the Rio. I put in about three solid weeks of practice before so I could at least get in semi-stroke before leaving for Vegas.

I had a three year old Kamui Black on my cue that used to hit very good, but I don't remember it's class of pliability, and since it was so old I had to replace it.

I decided to go with a medium when I got a new one put on, and although the hit was nice and crisp, I found myself miscuing quite frequently, and kept scuffing/tapping it. I somewhat caught the 'pool bug' again, and want to start playing a lot more again, and I'll probably have to get this tip replaced with a softer Kamui Black (they were always a personal favorite for me).

For someone who prefers standard medium to medium-soft tips, would the super soft or the soft be a better choice? I recall someone mentioning that the Kamui Blacks tend to be harder than they are labeled (in comparison to standard tips).

Or, if there is a way of saving a few bucks regarding this, is there a method of making my tip play a bit softer without having to change it?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I play with a ss black clear
Love it
 
well...

I have a Black soft on a 12.5 mm OB Classic shaft and a Black Medium on 2 Diviney 12.5 mm Lake Salvage shafts. I rarely miscue and when I do it is usually my stroke that caused it. I use Blue Diamond chalk. Try the Black Soft.
 
The blacks are treated the browns are not.. Blacks will always "feel" harder than the brown even if they test softer..... The clear? Someone had to find a way to deal with all of the CDs out and unsold thru recyling..... I refer to the Kamui Clears as the Milli Vanilli tips....Because girl you know it's true that glue and installers are the main problem Kamui deals with day to day... $30 tips and chalk my arse.....
 
The Renfro said:
The blacks are treated the browns are not.. Blacks will always "feel" harder than the brown even if they test softer..... The clear? Someone had to find a way to deal with all of the CDs out and unsold thru recyling..... I refer to the Kamui Clears as the Milli Vanilli tips....Because girl you know it's true that glue and installers are the main problem Kamui deals with day to day... $30 tips and chalk my arse.....
Click to expand...

If your products grip like kamui tips and chalk, you'll be able to charge 30 bucks too.
 
TheThaiger said:
If your products grip like kamui tips and chalk, you'll be able to charge 30 bucks too.
Click to expand...

In my experience, with Kamui Black tips and Kamui 1.21 chalk, the products did not "grip" well. However, with a Kamui Black Medium and a liberal application of Master's, the tip performed somewhat satisfactory. The performance vs price point just isn't there for me.
 
To the OP. I used to use Kamui Black SS. Switched to Ki-Tech Soft and much happier. Doesn't mushroom like the Kamui, stays consistent, feels great and 1/3 the price.
 
DAVE_M said:
In my experience, with Kamui Black tips and Kamui 1.21 chalk, the products did not "grip" well. However, with a Kamui Black Medium and a liberal application of Master's, the tip performed somewhat satisfactory. The performance vs price point just isn't there for me.
Click to expand...

Then you are doing something wrong. Say what you like about layered tips but they spin better than non layered tips, period. And there is no comparison to be had between kamui chalk and masters.
 
TheThaiger said:
Then you are doing something wrong. Say what you like about layered tips but they spin better than non layered tips, period. And there is no comparison to be had between kamui chalk and masters.
Click to expand...

I never said anything about layered vs non layered tips. You're just rambling, now. I play with a layered tip, a Tiger Sniper, always have. My new cue will have a Kamui Black Medium. I'm giving Kamui a second chance.

On a side note; Master's is cheap, Kamui is not. Can I afford Kamui? Sure can. As a matter of fact, I usually have $1000 or more of random doodads and gadgetry on my person, daily, so a $30 chunk of chalk wouldn't bother me. However, Master's does the same thing and is less than a fraction of the cost of Kamui.
 
DAVE_M said:
I never said anything about layered vs non layered tips. You're just rambling, now. I play with a layered tip, a Tiger Sniper, always have. My new cue will have a Kamui Black Medium. I'm giving Kamui a second chance.

On a side note; Master's is cheap, Kamui is not. Can I afford Kamui? Sure can. As a matter of fact, I usually have $1000 or more of random doodads and gadgetry on my person, daily, so a $30 chunk of chalk wouldn't bother me. However, Master's does the same thing and is less than a fraction of the cost of Kamui.
Click to expand...

Masters does not do what kamui does, not by a long 'chalk'.
 
I have had multiple issues with the black clear medium turning crap after a week or so, and requiring constant scuffing to keep it playable.

The brown medium does not run into these issues nearly as much, but you are still paying $30 for a tip that you have to wear down by having to scuff every couple of days.

With all the new options available, you might want to give some a go, instead of staying on the kamui bandwagon. I have heard good things about the ultra skins and ki-techs.
 
cuetechasaurus said:
Hi all, I took a break from pool for a while dealing with some health issues. I still play occasionally, and I did play in this year's BCAPL tournament at the Rio. I put in about three solid weeks of practice before so I could at least get in semi-stroke before leaving for Vegas.

I had a three year old Kamui Black on my cue that used to hit very good, but I don't remember it's class of pliability, and since it was so old I had to replace it.

I decided to go with a medium when I got a new one put on, and although the hit was nice and crisp, I found myself miscuing quite frequently, and kept scuffing/tapping it. I somewhat caught the 'pool bug' again, and want to start playing a lot more again, and I'll probably have to get this tip replaced with a softer Kamui Black (they were always a personal favorite for me).

For someone who prefers standard medium to medium-soft tips, would the super soft or the soft be a better choice? I recall someone mentioning that the Kamui Blacks tend to be harder than they are labeled (in comparison to standard tips).

Or, if there is a way of saving a few bucks regarding this, is there a method of making my tip play a bit softer without having to change it?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Hi, I played with Kamui black SS for quite a while, and really liked them, until my last one. It started glazing over and I was miscueing often. I was having to scuff and tap every day. I had it replaced with an Ultra Skin, soft and love it. Also, it is much cheaper! Good luck.
 
I haven't had any problems with Kamui Black Soft or Clear Black Super Soft.

But I tried an UltraSkin Soft and liked it just as much...at about 1/3 the price.

BTW, I really like the Kamui Gator Grip for scuffing. It takes a little practice to use it, but it does a great job and doesn't remove tip leather at the rate so many other scuffers do.

Kamui's "product life cycle" is the same as so many innovators: Big improvement from innovation drives a premium price. A couple years later, competitors have figured out how to produce it too...but sell it at a lower price.
 
Sedog said:
Hi, I played with Kamui black SS for quite a while, and really liked them, until my last one. It started glazing over and I was miscueing often. I was having to scuff and tap every day. I had it replaced with an Ultra Skin, soft and love it. Also, it is much cheaper! Good luck.
Click to expand...
why would anybody play with a soft tip? I think a hard tip takes less exertion to apply spin.
 
The Renfro said:
The blacks are treated the browns are not.. Blacks will always "feel" harder than the brown even if they test softer..... The clear? Someone had to find a way to deal with all of the CDs out and unsold thru recyling..... I refer to the Kamui Clears as the Milli Vanilli tips....Because girl you know it's true that glue and installers are the main problem Kamui deals with day to day... $30 tips and chalk my arse.....
Click to expand...

I'll agree their products are overpriced but I haven't found a tip that plays as well or as consistent. And the clear, I believe the clear pad helps reduce the tip from hardening. In past when using the black soft, the tip would be un-playable when it reached a set number of layers. The tips with the pad can go much further thus lasting longer.

You can bash the tips all you like, it won't change my mind. I'll tell you what does, performance.
 
UPlayLucky said:
I'll agree their products are overpriced but I haven't found a tip that plays as well or as consistent. And the clear, I believe the clear pad helps reduce the tip from hardening. In past when using the black soft, the tip would be un-playable when it reached a set number of layers. The tips with the pad can go much further thus lasting longer.

You can bash the tips all you like, it won't change my mind. I'll tell you what does, performance.
Click to expand...

Kamui makes great products... I think the prices are out of line but hey thats just me... As far as the clear pad LOL I have yet to meet an installer or actually anyone who really bought into that being an improvement and not a marketting ploy so you could ID their tips on other people's cues across the room.... Just glad Navigator tips are coming out so Kamui doesn't figure out coloring their tips different colors improves deflection :thumbup:

Chris
 
UPlayLucky said:
I'll agree their products are overpriced but I haven't found a tip that plays as well or as consistent. And the clear, I believe the clear pad helps reduce the tip from hardening. In past when using the black soft, the tip would be un-playable when it reached a set number of layers. The tips with the pad can go much further thus lasting longer.

You can bash the tips all you like, it won't change my mind. I'll tell you what does, performance.
Click to expand...

Currently playing with an Ultraskin PRO, and I'm really impressed. Tom Hay says on his website that it's their softest tip. I bought 10 tips from him for $25.00 because I liked the medium so much. I out the PRO on my main player by mistake because I was thinking it was a harder tip. I figured if I didn't like it I could cut it off and I'd be only wasting $2.50. But I really like it so far. I get the zip I want when I need to move the cb, and the control when playing center ball.

There was a poll about tip sound. My main player is a full splice bacote into bem with ivory joint and radial pin. Standard maple shaft with aegis ferrule. It makes a real nice "thoonk" when hit. The PRO does not alter the response of the cue at all.

The cost and constant maintenance of the Kamui's is what turns me off to them. They play nice in my experience but not for me. I just paid $25.00 for probably five years worth of tips, not just one tip. Try em yourself

Ben
 
LuckyStroke said:
Currently playing with an Ultraskin PRO, and I'm really impressed. Tom Hay says on his website that it's their softest tip. I bought 10 tips from him for $25.00 because I liked the medium so much. I out the PRO on my main player by mistake because I was thinking it was a harder tip. I figured if I didn't like it I could cut it off and I'd be only wasting $2.50. But I really like it so far. I get the zip I want when I need to move the cb, and the control when playing center ball.

There was a poll about tip sound. My main player is a full splice bacote into bem with ivory joint and radial pin. Standard maple shaft with aegis ferrule. It makes a real nice "thoonk" when hit. The PRO does not alter the response of the cue at all.

The cost and constant maintenance of the Kamui's is what turns me off to them. They play nice in my experience but not for me. I just paid $25.00 for probably five years worth of tips, not just one tip. Try em yourself

Ben
Click to expand...

For the price I don't know how you beat them since you can afford to swap them out as often as you want... I did get my hands on a few for testing and while they are not particularly consistent and you may find hards that feel like mediums and vice versa if they went thru all the gradin and QC you wouldn't be buying them for the price you are...

My 2 picks for layered are G2... Frkn Fabulous tip currently will see if they stay that way as they grow... We all recall the Moori story.... My 2nd choice is the Ultraskin because of the pricepoint.... IF you have to have a layered tip I look at it this way... IF you have easy access to an installer.. Order some Ultraskins from Tom... IF you have to travel uphill both ways 30 miles in the snow to get a layered tip installed... Buy the G2.....

I kid screw the layered and buy Ki-Tech rawr... Seriously tho... I have tested a ton of tips at this point and can tell you if you have something that is perfect for YOU don't buy mine, don't buy Tom's don't buy the G2.. Don't overthink it.. Just stick with what works......

Chris
 
I play with a Kamui black clear SS and I love it. Kamui tips tend to get a little harder faster than expected so I went with the SS (super soft) to compensate for this. I don't ever recall miscuing since I have had this tip on for a month or so. I do normally use my tip shaper right before I am going out to play just to make sure the chalk sticks good and the tip is shaped right. I do want to try out those Ki-Tech soft tips tho.
 
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