Pool fads?

[vapoolplayer]

Are phenolic ferrule/tip combos still a big thing?

Seems now what I mostly see are normal ferrules with either a hard leather tip, phenolic tip, or some other hybrid leather/epoxy or material like g10.

For a while there about 10 years ago the one piece ferrule/tip was very popular.

 

[BobTfromIL]

I seen pictures on Facebook of a recent tournament where they were allowed up on the table. There was pictures of them right up on the middle of the table playing shots

That was Buffalo's big one pocket tournament in Louisiana

 

[ctyhntr]

I enjoy watching old matches where players are dressed in vests and a bowtie

If you watch 3 Cushion, the dress code is still in effect. I tried to get some of my local amateur tournaments to implement a dress code when streaming. Saturday, day 1 would be normal; collar shirts, shorts. Sunday, day 2, aka money round, should be a dress code for the stream.

 

[Grimper]

Well they do good sponsor work.

Their gator grip is an excellent tool. I'd guess their chalk holders and bridge heads are just as good.

Their tips, especially the black variety aren't great, or at least they didn't used to be. Glazed over stupid fast. The clear tips do nothing other than make it more annoying for installers. People like the clear pad but I won't touch them. 2 installations were enough for me. It's a pain to trim them, even with a low end drill based lathe. I'd hate to see someone try to do so by hand.

Their gloves are junk, get tears after 3-4 weeks of serious use. A $2.50 Scott Edward glove lasts as long (maybe more durable) and works just as good. A 10 pack is $25, wear a new glove each week if you want, still much cheaper. Kamui is like Nike, a brand for those who like to wear brand advertisements around. I'm not hating on them for that, it's good marketing and a lot of people like that kind of thing.

Their original chalk worked well but was the most dirty chalk ever as far as the cueball was concerned. It basically tattooed itself into the surface. Their newer chalk... it might be good but I'll pass. I mean, I'd try it but see no point after going to V10.

The worst thing about Kamui was they normalized chalk and tips costing $30. I'm not super cheap when it comes to pool stuff, but $30 for a tip is pretty silly. That said I use a $30 Zan GripHard, but still stand by my opinion that $30 for a tip is silly. I promise I'm not cheap about pool stuff, it's just a little stack of leather and some adhesive should cost nowhere near $30. In the long run $30 isn't bad but they got the ball rolling on that, a good tip could be $15 and still be profitable.

I've been using the same Kamui glove for 9 months, playing on my own table and 3 nights a week in leagues. I've owned them all, and Kamuis are by far my favorite glove.

 

[Zerksies]

Gloves, I can’t believe people still use them things. I’d rather feel the shaft in my hands

 

[Straightpool_99]

Are phenolic ferrule/tip combos still a big thing?

Seems now what I mostly see are normal ferrules with either a hard leather tip, phenolic tip, or some other hybrid leather/epoxy or material like g10.

For a while there about 10 years ago the one piece ferrule/tip was very popular.

It seems the one piece ferrule is on it's way out. It's more profitable to be able to sell tips, I'm guessing? And there is also the people who always try to experiment with new things who may be put off by a tip that cannot be changed. However, I think the one piece ferrule/tip works very well, and I have one on one of my break/jump cue shafts.

G10 tips should be outlawed. They are harder than phenolic and damage the cueballs.

 

[ShootingArts]

It seems the one piece ferrule is on it's way out. It's more profitable to be able to sell tips, I'm guessing? And there is also the people who always try to experiment with new things who may be put off by a tip that cannot be changed. However, I think the one piece ferrule/tip works very well, and I have one on one of my break/jump cue shafts.

G10 tips should be outlawed. They are harder than phenolic and damage the cueballs.

I have slept since then and can't quite remember who but someone got a patent on the one piece ferrule and tip and was being an ass about it, trying to prevent anyone else from making them best I recall. Unless I am mistaken he is dead now. I think the patent is still in effect or possibly recently expired. With the guy owning the patent expired I don't think anyone tried to protect it. Gets expensive in a hurry if you have to go past cease and desist letters.

Hu

 

[Logandgriff]

Inspired by another thread, I started thinking about wether I've seen any short term fads in pool (that very wildly popular for a short while, then disappeared)? I'm not talking about cue/equipment brands , more maybe special cue types, accessories etc. Truth is, I can't really think of any off the top of my head. Anyone remember some? Am I forgetting something obvious?

Chalk holders with a spring loaded string you attach to your belt. You pull the chalk to your cue and chalk up and then the spring pulls the string back to your belt. Kind of like a flexible rule.

 

[Bob Jewett]

Chalk holders with a spring loaded string you attach to your belt. You pull the chalk to your cue and chalk up and then the spring pulls the string back to your belt. Kind of like a flexible rule.

I'm not sure I'd call that a fad. I think that's been replaced by the magnetic ones and the spike-based ones:

 

[AtLarge]

Just thought of another one....

Wasn't there a pool cue tip that were made out of a Superball material?

Maybe you're thinking of the "Future Tip"? I was told by the company that sold them that they were made from polyurethane. The ones I used were real hard, but I liked them; I never found anyone else who did.

 

[buckshotshoey]

Maybe you're thinking of the "Future Tip"? I was told by the company that sold them that they were made from polyurethane. The ones I used were real hard, but I liked them; I never found anyone else who did.

Maybe. I thought it was softer.... like a super ball. I recall it being said it would give you a "monster" break.

 

[Danimal]

Cheqio performance drink and vitamins!

 

[hang-the-9]

Gloves, I can’t believe people still use them things. I’d rather feel the shaft in my hands

They are a huge help in many situations, humidity high, dirty tables, heck even someone that is nervous and sweats a lot could use one. I don't use one most of the time, but I keep one in my case and it came in very handy in several tournaments I played where the place was less than well setup.

I would not really call them a fad, they are more popular now and have been for years than I ever remember them. Probably ever since SVB came around. You never would see a good player using a Cuetec cue or a glove, SVB changed all that.

 

[buckshotshoey]

They are a huge help in many situations, humidity high, dirty tables, heck even someone that is nervous and sweats a lot could use one. I don't use one most of the time, but I keep one in my case and it came in very handy in several tournaments I played where the place was less than well setup.

I would not really call them a fad, they are more popular now and have been for years than I ever remember them. Probably ever since SVB came around. You never would see a good player using a Cuetec cue or a glove, SVB changed all that.

Wearing a glove is like wearing a condom.

I compair them both to getting into the bathtub with your socks on!

 

[MurrayNevada]

Gloves, I can’t believe people still use them things. I’d rather feel the shaft in my hands

Wearing a glove is like wearing a condom.

You guys seem to have the same things in mind.

 

[L.S. Dennis]

SARDO worked well, was big, heavy, and pian to carry n store.

Lots of small gizmo for Tip care that are like fishing lures. Cool looking but work crappy, only fish they catch are dumbbell’s.

Truetip tip shaper?

 

[Fatboy]

I seen pictures on Facebook of a recent tournament where they were allowed up on the table. There was pictures of them right up on the middle of the table playing shots

That’s a Louisiana thing.

I first saw it at Greenway Billiards in baton rouge La in 87 or 88.

I’m not sure where else it’s a thing.

I tried it once and my knees couldn’t take it. Would be a funny video watching my fat cripple ass trying to get out of the way of the balls.

Who said pool isn’t athletic???

Louisiana has a great pool culture. Those guys play hard and gambol!

Fatboy Approved

 

[Fatboy]

I'm not sure I'd call that a fad. I think that's been replaced by the magnetic ones and the spike-based ones:

View attachment 649050

I like my chalk on the rail, out of my line of sight

 

[Stickman9]

That was Buffalo's big one pocket tournament in Louisiana

Not a surprise. I used to shoot pool at the Sport Palace in New Orleans in the early 1990s (Buffalo worked there then), and it was not uncommon to see players on the table kneeling to shoot their shot. You would occasionally see a footprint on the cloth, which seemed like bad manners to me.

 

[straightline]

Not a surprise. I used to shoot pool at the Sport Palace in New Orleans in the early 1990s (Buffalo worked there then), and it was not uncommon to see players on the table kneeling to shoot their shot. You would occasionally see a footprint on the cloth, which seemed like bad manners to me.

Lol. I used to do that. Hope it never comes back.