How does a shorter tip after cueing? Do you cut your tip short after installation?

Do you prefer a shorter tip?

  • Yes, a shorter tip feels better to me

    Votes: 40 60.6%

  • No, I like my tips longer

    Votes: 16 24.2%

  • Doesn't matter to me / no preference

    Votes: 10 15.2%
  • Total voters
    66
SamLambert

SamLambert

Daydreaming about pool
Silver Member
Here I am with another question! Hopefully this one doesn't bother too many people :p

I had a Ki-Tech Soft installed on my cue about 2 weeks ago. After installation and shaping, there was obviously still very notable length to the tip. I played with it that way until yesterday, where I decided to cut it quite a bit shorter for experimentation. I haven't had the chance to play much with it yet, but I think I like it better that way.

The thing is, I don't really know why (it just feels better that way in general) and wanted to know if you guys could help me understand what the length of the tip does on the feel of the hit and cueing in general? The hits feel more solid for sure, so I'm guessing it brings the tip closer to a medium hardness long-tip equivalent, but it doesn't feel quite like the medium tips I tried before.

Is there something more to it? Do you intentionally cut your tip short after installation to get to that short length because you prefer it that way?
 
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I am the same way, I play with a Wizard hard and after a put a new one on I cut a 1/3 off right then and play with it for a day or so, then I cut any mushroom off and it ends up being around 1/2 as thick as a new one.
 
Tips Change

Tips Change. I always leave my tips tall because they compress and change. I tried some of the layered tips years ago Sniper, Moori and wasn't really impressed so I stuck to Triangle but they lose gripping power so I tried a Elkmaster and have been real impressed.

It will compress and change and when you take a good tip tool and work it down it comes back to an acceptable grippyness that I like. I think I am going to stay here awhile.

And leave it tall and wear it out all the way.



SamLambert said:
Here I am with another question! Hopefully this one doesn't bother too many people :p

I had a Ki-Tech Soft installed on my cue about 2 weeks ago. After installation and shaping, there was obviously still very notable length to the tip. I played with it that way until yesterday, where I decided to cut it quite a bit shorter for experimentation. I haven't had the chance to play much with it yet, but I think I like it better that way.

The thing is, I don't really know why (it just feels better that way in general) and wanted to know if you guys could help me understand what the length of the tip does on the feel of the hit and cueing in general? The hits feel more solid for sure, so I'm guessing it brings the tip closer to a medium hardness long-tip equivalent, but it doesn't feel quite like the medium tips I tried before.

Is there something more to it? Do you intentionally cut your tip short after installation to get to that short length because you prefer it that way?
Click to expand...
 
Nah, this ? shouldn’t have any issues about it. I cut down a triangle M/H, didn’t like it.
I see guys with barely a tip and they ping it all over the place, for wins. Got’ta be what ones’ feel is with a decent aim.

For those that want more
 
If you if you have not even played with it that way yet, how do you know that you like it that way... already.

Best Wishes.

PS Did you miss my request for your feelings regarding CTE or are keeping them to yourself. A PM could still keep it private.
 
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I think it's mostly done with softer tips to make them a little less "cushiony" to start with and avoid some of the change in hardness as they compress. For consistency.

pj
chgo
 
SamLambert said:
"I haven't had the chance to play much with it yet"

Played with it for about 2 hours.
Click to expand...

I had played with very soft Elk Masters tips for more than 4 decades & then bought a OB Classic shaft with a Kamui Black Super Soft tip that the cue ball actually felt like it was sticking to it.

A member here told me to take a few layers off at a time until it got like I like it & that is what I did & it now plays very well.

Enjoy YOUR Journey.
Rick
 
ENGLISH! said:
I had played with very soft Elk Masters tips for more than 4 decades & then bought a OB Classic shaft with a Kamui Black Super Soft tip that the cue ball actually felt like it was sticking to it.



A member here told me to take a few layers off at a time until it got like I like it & that is what I did & it now plays very well.



Enjoy YOUR Journey.

Rick
Click to expand...


Great info! Thanks.
 
To me, I personally feel that a shorter tip plays and feels differently than a brand new, unplayed and longer tip.

With that being said, I do not feel as though this is a bad thing. When I get a new tip installed, it takes me a minute to get used to it. As the tip gets shorter and more compacted with play (and shaping), one gradually gets used to the subtle changes without even realizing it.

In short, I don't think the benefit of cutting the tip down is worth the shortened life.
 
when installing my own tips I take a box cutter or razor blade and cut it nearly in half (40% or so). I do prefer a shorter tip with a fairly low profile. I am currently playing with a kitech medium and a pressed elkmaster...even with the layered tips I have tried in the past G2, Zan, kamui, moori, etc I have always preferred a shorter tip and low profile. one weird thing that I do just after installing a tip is I take wooden spoon and hit the tip repeatedly to simulate a night at the pool hall. just trying to cut down on any tip seasoning that might take place after install. not sure if this poll has been done before but its a pretty good one.
 
Yep, I definitely prefer my tips fairly short. When I get a new cue or tip I typically have to hack off a little of it and then reshape it. Can't stand the look of it long and I think it has a more "vague" feel to it.
 
sniper tips

336Robin said:
Tips Change. I always leave my tips tall because they compress and change. I tried some of the layered tips years ago Sniper, Moori and wasn't really impressed so I stuck to Triangle but they lose gripping power so I tried a Elkmaster and have been real impressed.

It will compress and change and when you take a good tip tool and work it down it comes back to an acceptable grippyness that I like. I think I am going to stay here awhile.

And leave it tall and wear it out all the way.
Click to expand...

I have had tons of problems with sniper tips delaminating and considering not stocking them any more ...................



This poll isn't worded right it should be do you cut down your laminated tips .
To me there really is no reason to cut down most one piece tips !
I have several cues with triangle tips on them.
 
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Advantage

SamLambert said:
Why? I was expecting the opposite: big difference with single layer tips and little to no difference with laminated tips (isn't that supposed to be their advantage?)
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This all personal opinions no one is right or wrong and the worst part of this is we don't know who how good of shooter everyone is.
We don't how good the person is and if there advise is solid or not.
And some of us repair pool cues and or make them so our or their opinions could be different.

Most laminated tips are taller then most one piece tips.
IMO most one piece tips need to be shaped or scuffed more then laminated tips .
IMO one piece tips seem to mushroom more then laminated tips.

But this is all personal opinion.
It differs from people shooting style and the size of the table they play on and what game they are playing.

I always scuff my tips about every 20 or 30 racks and never have any issues until the tip is worn about 60% to 70% out then I change them .

Triangle tip
 
Really

mortuarymike-nv said:
I have had tons of problems with sniper tips delaminating and considering not stocking them any more ...................



This poll isn't worded right it should be do you cut down your laminated tips .
To me there really is no reason to cut down most one piece tips !
I have several cues with triangle tips on them.
Click to expand...

Im really surprised Ive never had one delaminate I was liking the fact that it didn't mushroom but whenever you get something you give something else up, that's just the way it works I guess.
 
PoolBoy1 said:
Tip companies love players that cut their tips down.
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I'm totally fine with that. Tips are cheap and last a long time. Even expensive tips, while a lot for a small bit of stacked leather, are cheap when you consider how long they last. It's a few hours of prime time table fees for a tip that lasts many months at least.

I like Wizard tips. $10 each and one will last me the better part of a year at least even after cutting it well down.
 
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