It's starting to look like this is the correct answer, unless someone knows something else to be true.
Ash Shafts vs Maple?
- Thread starter Shooter08
- Start date
It's starting to look like this is the correct answer, unless someone knows something else to be true.
I own a ash cue and a maple cue and I have to say I can't tell the difference between them. One sounds different when you hit than the other but that's mainly because I have a harder tip on my ash cue than my maple cue. The main reason why snooker cues use ash wood is because of the availability of ash wood compare to maple. I also think it is because they have always kinda used ash wood so its looks more appealing to them. But just know if you play with your chin on your cue make sure to stay shaved because the hair can and will get caught in the grain and it really puts a damper on your game. I am actually looking to sell my snooker cue because it has a ash shaft and I prefer the maple over ash simply because I don't like getting my chin hair pulled out.
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Stay clean shaven or grow it out. Stubble is very uncomfortable and a short (1-2mm) is asking to be snagged. Anything longer and it isn't too bad and tends not to get caught from my experience. I've played with an ash, but looking for a maple snooker cue to my taste. From the maple cues ive tried the sound is very different. Ash has a more hollow knock to it. Maple to me has a higher pitched click kinda noise. In terms of playability I agree, no difference. And I agree with you that its tradition that keeps snooker cue makers making cues from ash. It may have been availability back in the early days that caused the tradition, but in todays world both woods are easily available to a maker of snooker cues.
I completely agree. If you are looking for a nice snooker cue and have about 400 dollars. Check out the snooker forum. They have a couple of really nice 1pc maple snooker cues for sale currently. I would totally pick up one if I have the money to spend on a cue at the moment. Check out the one by James Butters. Very stunning cue. http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/classifieds.php
this. And a bloody tradition of course (same as with brass ferrules :grin-square
Some of the makers started using maple as well. I hope English cuemakers don't discover hornbeam used for pyramid cues which is even stiffer
I also heard ash grain could be used for aiming, probably that's what Nick B refers to (talking about orientation to bevel). Though I find it hard imagining such system where one is aiming with those lines filled with coal
For me it's about feel. Ash has a feel I like for playing snooker, and maple doesn't. Can't really say why that is, but it's true. I presume it's the same with most of those who favor ash over maple as well.
Strangely enough I've tried ash for pool and can't stand it. The larger and heavier ball changes the dynamic and the ash feels too dense. It's a crazy game.