Shafts: Few or Many Growth Rings?

[Chopdoc]

Adequate rings, straight grain and good weight. That's all you need. The rest is hype and LEGEND.

"Adequate" I like the way you put that. And you certainly have a reputation as a "wood guy" and an excellent reputation for selecting shaft wood.

More than adequate isn't necessarily better, but less than adequate isn't as good. Which is how this conversation started in the main forum. It was proposed that fewer rings was better, which is the opposite of the general tendency as outlined by the majority of the responses here.

The rest, as you say, is hype. There are more important primary parameters.

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[JoeyInCali]

"Adequate" I like the way you put that. And you certainly have a reputation as a "wood guy" and an excellent reputation for selecting shaft wood.

More than adequate isn't necessarily better, but less than adequate isn't as good. Which is how this conversation started in the main forum. It was proposed that fewer rings was better, which is the opposite of the general tendency as outlined by the majority of the responses here.

The rest, as you say, is hype. There are more important primary parameters.

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Not imo.
All things being equal, less rings is not more desirable.
Let's say there are two shafts. One has 8 RPI and one has 12 RPI.
Both weigh 3.7 oz ; have the same stiffness and ring tone ; and both have the center grain run end to end in the center .
I'll take the 12 RPI.

 

[qbilder]

I check my shafts with a ruler, scale, and single droplet of alcohol. Only if it passes do I judge it for aesthetics.

 

[Chopdoc]

I check my shafts with a ruler, scale, and single droplet of alcohol. Only if it passes do I judge it for aesthetics.

And once it is down to aesthetics can we assume more rings are better in your view?


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[qbilder]

And once it is down to aesthetics can we assume more rings are better in your view?


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Not anymore. The only time I prefer ring count for aesthetics is when the cue is high end, and then it's only because that's what people expect. It's really a non issue, though, a conversation of hypothetical situations. It's pretty rare that someone will encounter a shaft with less than 6gpi and exponentially more rare to find a shaft with higher than 20gpi. A legit 10gpi shaft is pretty common and looks nice on any cue. When you're up this way next week, you are welcome to come by and see how I choose shafts and why.

 

[Chopdoc]

Not anymore. The only time I prefer ring count for aesthetics is when the cue is high end, and then it's only because that's what people expect. It's really a non issue, though, a conversation of hypothetical situations. It's pretty rare that someone will encounter a shaft with less than 6gpi and exponentially more rare to find a shaft with higher than 20gpi. A legit 10gpi shaft is pretty common and looks nice on any cue. When you're up this way next week, you are welcome to come by and see how I choose shafts and why.

I would love to. We'll see how it goes when I get there.

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[JoeyInCali]

Many tight growth rings?
or
Few, Widely spaced growth rings?

See discussion:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showpost.php?p=5962211&postcount=19

Thank You

Few WIDELY space growth rings are not desired.
Good for break cues.
Unless the shaft is still heavy/dense .
MANY is subjective and has diminishing value.
Some makers do not like more than 15 RPI.
And often times, super tight grains do not run end to end and are actually not good for the shaft. Often, some groups of these tight rings need to be rid off by offset centering the end or ends of the shaft . So, that when tapered, the growth rings are close to even in density end to end.
10-15 RPI's are the most commonly desired imo.
Not that there is anything wrong with 16-20.

 

[mrkdenton]

Baseball bats fewer the grain the better

I know my whole life back in n college in Sacramento, I've always been told by all the A ,AA, AAA and big leaguers I played against in winter ball to stay in shape in the late 80's and early 90's. All said the wider and spaced/fewer grain the better the wood.

 

[Busbee Cue]

I would love to. We'll see how it goes when I get there.

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Hello Chopdoc,

Take Eric up on his offer, he is a pleasure to visit. The wife and I really enjoyed our visits, it was one of the most exciting parts of our vacation travel.

 

[qbilder]

Hello Chopdoc,

Take Eric up on his offer, he is a pleasure to visit. The wife and I really enjoyed our visits, it was one of the most exciting parts of our vacation travel.

Thank, Randy Pleasure was all mine.

 

[Chopdoc]

Hello Chopdoc,

Take Eric up on his offer, he is a pleasure to visit. The wife and I really enjoyed our visits, it was one of the most exciting parts of our vacation travel.

Thanks.

But now we are not going. Storm shifted West. I do feel I am missing out, it would be so cool.

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