Thought I would give a review here as they have always been helpful to me before deciding on a purchase. I have pretty much used an LD shaft of some kind or another my entire playing career. With that said there really hasn't been a need for aiming adjustments that some of you have or will experience when moving to a LD.
My shaft for the last year or so has been a 314-2. While I liked it there was something with the feel that was bothering me. I don't really know how to describe it other than a 'thud' feel when coming into contact with the cue ball. Whether or not the 314-3 is the same I cannot say... perhaps someone else can... it came out a month or so after my purchase haha.
Onto the OB Classic Plus 30". After my first day I have to say I really like it. The feel that was missing with the 314-2 is now there. I can honestly say the feel is similar to my 'normal' shaft. The extra inch was not noticeable at all, but then again I don't pay attention to the position of my grip hand and instead kind of juggle the cue back and forth till it feels right on my shots. I may or may not have been gripping a little higher than usual - I honestly don't know. Not hugely important, but the ferrule still looks new. My 314-2 ferrule was like a magnet for the chalk and discoloring.
So far the only thing that bothered me is after about the first hour of play the tip started to flatten out (the Everest that comes standard). It's a new tip so I kind of expected that and I'm sure after some more playing, shaping, and so on it will come to rest where I want it to be. The Everest played nice and I really did not notice a whole lot of difference between the Kamui S I had on the 314-2. More playing time will show if this statement holds up.
Conclusion is I have a feeling this will be it for me for awhile assuming the tip issue is straightened out after some more play. I had the same thing happen with the Kamui when it was new so I don't expect any surprises, but will give the Everest a fair shot first.
Side note on the LD vs non-LD from my personal experience : I have played with both, but whether it was timing as my game progressed or something else... I just prefer a LD shaft. I can pull off some ridiculous shots/english with my normal shaft, but it was the adjustments for squirt that I wasn't consistent with. When I was on it was great, but when I was off it was awful. Adjusting squirt for the combination of english, speed, and length of the shot then on top of that factor in the cloth and table you are on... I just wasn't consistent every day. With the LD I aim and shoot... all I need to worry about is aim and speed. You WILL need to adjust to an LD shaft... realizing there is no need to adjust for squirt and with that realizing your cue ball will be coming off contact a little different for position play, but once you get that down there really is nothing else.
Bottom line is it comes down to what YOU like, but I would recommend this shaft to anyone given they take the time to adjust if never using an LD shaft before. Thumbs up to OB for a great shaft! Also, thanks to others who posted their reviews and opinions as it was the 'feel' comments which got me to try this shaft and I have to say I agree with them.
My shaft for the last year or so has been a 314-2. While I liked it there was something with the feel that was bothering me. I don't really know how to describe it other than a 'thud' feel when coming into contact with the cue ball. Whether or not the 314-3 is the same I cannot say... perhaps someone else can... it came out a month or so after my purchase haha.
Onto the OB Classic Plus 30". After my first day I have to say I really like it. The feel that was missing with the 314-2 is now there. I can honestly say the feel is similar to my 'normal' shaft. The extra inch was not noticeable at all, but then again I don't pay attention to the position of my grip hand and instead kind of juggle the cue back and forth till it feels right on my shots. I may or may not have been gripping a little higher than usual - I honestly don't know. Not hugely important, but the ferrule still looks new. My 314-2 ferrule was like a magnet for the chalk and discoloring.
So far the only thing that bothered me is after about the first hour of play the tip started to flatten out (the Everest that comes standard). It's a new tip so I kind of expected that and I'm sure after some more playing, shaping, and so on it will come to rest where I want it to be. The Everest played nice and I really did not notice a whole lot of difference between the Kamui S I had on the 314-2. More playing time will show if this statement holds up.
Conclusion is I have a feeling this will be it for me for awhile assuming the tip issue is straightened out after some more play. I had the same thing happen with the Kamui when it was new so I don't expect any surprises, but will give the Everest a fair shot first.
Side note on the LD vs non-LD from my personal experience : I have played with both, but whether it was timing as my game progressed or something else... I just prefer a LD shaft. I can pull off some ridiculous shots/english with my normal shaft, but it was the adjustments for squirt that I wasn't consistent with. When I was on it was great, but when I was off it was awful. Adjusting squirt for the combination of english, speed, and length of the shot then on top of that factor in the cloth and table you are on... I just wasn't consistent every day. With the LD I aim and shoot... all I need to worry about is aim and speed. You WILL need to adjust to an LD shaft... realizing there is no need to adjust for squirt and with that realizing your cue ball will be coming off contact a little different for position play, but once you get that down there really is nothing else.
Bottom line is it comes down to what YOU like, but I would recommend this shaft to anyone given they take the time to adjust if never using an LD shaft before. Thumbs up to OB for a great shaft! Also, thanks to others who posted their reviews and opinions as it was the 'feel' comments which got me to try this shaft and I have to say I agree with them.
