Questions about modern break cues

[DJ14.1]

I could use some education about modern-day break sticks. Do the phenolic tips and modern break shafts really add that much m.p.h. to a break? If so, how much m.p.h.? And do you sacrifice any control?

Any studies been done and data published on the subject comparing them to the older, traditional break sticks of the past several decades? Thanks.

 

[measureman]

I have a break speed app on my phone
Old Walmart cheap dufferin cue 19 to 20 mph
Pooldawg break cue hard leather tip with weight bolt in (19 oz) 19 to 20 mph
Pooldawg break cue hard leather tip with weight bolt out (16 oz) 19 to 20 mph
Pooldawg break cue white diamond tip with weight bolt in (19 oz) 19 to 20 mph
Pooldawg break cue white diamond tip with weight bolt out (16 oz) 19 to 20 mph

 

[ctyhntr]

The dedicated break cue evolved because 9-ball (Texas Express) became the game of choice for tournaments.

Mike Gulyassy patented the 1 piece phenolic tip/ferrule. Its my belief a phenolic tip is more efficient at transferring energy than a leather tip, as it doesn't compress. Like this tick-tock game set...

 

[ceebee]

I could use some education about modern-day break sticks. Do the phenolic tips and modern break shafts really add that much m.p.h. to a break? If so, how much m.p.h.? And do you sacrifice any control?

Any studies been done and data published on the subject comparing them to the older, traditional break sticks of the past several decades? Thanks.

IMO, a good Break Cue has several components that differ from Play Cues. Everybody has their own personal ideas. It's the old "chocolate & vanilla syndrome".

The tip is usually a hard leather tip, on a short ferrule, on a 13.5 or more diameter shaft. Weight can be 17.5 to 20.5 & good balance is a personal thing. Even a shorter Butt is sometime used. I actually liked the Mezz Cue's 54 inch cue.

The hard leather is for gripping the Cue Ball with chalk. Some folks like a phenolic tip. You couldn't give me one. Since the phenolic won't compress, it might cause the Cue Ball to go a bit faster, but control went out the window.

A short ferrule is stronger, giving the end assembly more strength

The larger diameter in the shaft helps prevent the shaft from buckling. It has a good Spine.

A good balance makes the Cue feel lighter than it really is & prevents wandering of the Cue Butt in the fast delivery.

Actually the player needs extremely good balance in the Break Shot. Good balance & good coordination helps increase the accuracy plus it builds your speed.

I hope this helps.... Good Luck.

 

[DJ14.1]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm mainly trying to decide if I should update to a new breaker with the latest technology. I break pretty strong with my current stick though, so I hesitate to change unless it can be proven somehow that the more recent sticks are an upgrade. Anyone have data to share that's a little more proven? Thanks again.

PS: That break speed app for smartphones sounds interesting!

 

[jeremy8000]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm mainly trying to decide if I should update to a new breaker with the latest technology. I break pretty strong with my current stick though, so I hesitate to change unless it can be proven somehow that the more recent sticks are an upgrade. So far, I haven't heard anything concrete enough to support that. If the modern shafts & phenolics can't increase m.p.h., there's really no reason to change, right? Anyone have data to share that's a little more proven? Thanks again.

In the extreme, it's easy to conclude that a cue tipped with a sponge would drive the ball forward with notably less force than one tipped with steel even if both struck with the same speed. Phenolic tips will transfer more force (though will be less forgiving of an inaccurate stroke) than a hard leather tip, which will similarly transfer more and be less forgiving than a softer tip.

The real question whether you'll realize what you will perceive as an effective difference, and that is something that depends largely on your personal breaking mechanics.

I haven't ever simply replaced a leather tip with a phenolic to be able to give opinion as to what replacing that sole component resulted in for me, but can say that the difference in using what I had been using to break (Schon 18.7 oz with a Tsunami extra hard layerd tip) going to a Poison VX BRK (19 oz) with a phenolic tip is, to my perception, very substantial - though it's worth noting there are number of other differences in construction which surely make their contributions as well. I haven't used any tools to measure effective mph, but the resulting breaks appear to indicate some net gain - provided you maintain absolute accuracy and don't go for heavy spin (phenolic doesn't offer much tolerance for off-center hits).

PS: That break speed app for smartphones sounds interesting!

Haven't tried it myself, but I believe this is the site of the app referenced (iPhone/Android).

 

[measureman]

In the extreme, it's easy to conclude that a cue tipped with a sponge would drive the ball forward with notably less force than one tipped with steel even if both struck with the same speed. Phenolic tips will transfer more force (though will be less forgiving of an inaccurate stroke) than a hard leather tip, which will similarly transfer more and be less forgiving than a softer tip.

The real question whether you'll realize what you will perceive as an effective difference, and that is something that depends largely on your personal breaking mechanics.

I haven't ever simply replaced a leather tip with a phenolic to be able to give opinion as to what replacing that sole component resulted in for me, but can say that the difference in using what I had been using to break (Schon 18.7 oz with a Tsunami extra hard layerd tip) going to a Poison VX BRK (19 oz) with a phenolic tip is, to my perception, very substantial - though it's worth noting there are number of other differences in construction which surely make their contributions as well. I haven't used any tools to measure effective mph, but the resulting breaks appear to indicate some net gain - provided you maintain absolute accuracy and don't go for heavy spin (phenolic doesn't offer much tolerance for off-center hits).



Haven't tried it myself, but I believe this is the site of the app referenced (iPhone/Android).

that's the app I use. It's great and easy to use.

 

[The Renfro]

IMO, a good Break Cue has several components that differ from Play Cues. Everybody has their own personal ideas. It's the old "chocolate & vanilla syndrome".

The tip is usually a hard leather tip, on a short ferrule, on a 13.5 or more diameter shaft. Weight can be 17.5 to 20.5 & good balance is a personal thing. Even a shorter Butt is sometime used. I actually liked the Mezz Cue's 54 inch cue.

The hard leather is for gripping the Cue Ball with chalk. Some folks like a phenolic tip. You couldn't give me one. Since the phenolic won't compress, it might cause the Cue Ball to go a bit faster, but control went out the window.

A short ferrule is stronger, giving the end assembly more strength

The larger diameter in the shaft helps prevent the shaft from buckling. It has a good Spine.

A good balance makes the Cue feel lighter than it really is & prevents wandering of the Cue Butt in the fast delivery.

Actually the player needs extremely good balance in the Break Shot. Good balance & good coordination helps increase the accuracy plus it builds your speed.

I hope this helps.... Good Luck.

We are releasing a new Break tip called the HammerHead... It's not as hard as phenolic but it has similar COR properties so you are not losing energy by going to leather... My Bk2 with the stock phenolic I am in the 22.8mph range... With our SOLID single layered beak tip I lose about 1.5mph... If I broke faster it would be more of a difference... With the new HammrHead I am still in the 22.8 range but the control is wayyyy better....

If you are willing... shoot me a message and I will send you one out to try with your Break Rack. I may change your mind in very short order about using leather break tips even tho we make the SOLID Single Layered Leather Break tip which I think outperforms the Samsara all day long..

The HammerHead has been formulated for 2 things.. IMPACT and Friction... It cuts like butter, can be roughed up easily with a sandpaper shaper if it gets slick and holds chalk better than any synthetic I have seen in use....