Next Gen Carbon Fiber Shafts

[Quesports]

It seems that carbon fiber shafts are here for better or worse depending on how a person feels. I believe that BeCue has already made at least two different carbon fiber shafts as well as some other companies.

Which other companies have also made next gen carbon fiber shafts?

Mezz only has the Ignite for now, how long before they release a new version? There must be a lot of R&D going on at all the major billiard companies presently, which most likely will bring on newer designs.

I have found that generic carbon fiber blanks are now readily available so that anyone can purchase a blank install joints and likely ferrules and then claim they have made the shaft when in fact they only added joints and ferrules to an existing blank. Just another step in the process of evolution in a way. Good or bad depending on ones point of view.

It's all quite fascinating really and I think a good thing for pool in general.

 

[garczar]

It seems that carbon fiber shafts are here for better or worse depending on how a person feels. I believe that BeCue has already made at least two different carbon fiber shafts as well as some other companies.

Which other companies have also made next gen carbon fiber shafts?

Mezz only has the Ignite for now, how long before they release a new version? There must be a lot of R&D going on at all the major billiard companies presently, which most likely will bring on newer designs.

I have found that generic carbon fiber blanks are now readily available so that anyone can purchase a blank install joints and likely ferrules and then claim they have made the shaft when in fact they only added joints and ferrules to an existing blank. Just another step in the process of evolution in a way. Good or bad depending on ones point of view.

It's all quite fascinating really and I think a good thing for pool in general.

There's really only two ways to make one, flag-wrapped and filament-wound. I've hit both and can't tell any difference. Mostly just salemanship bs. The early BeCue shafts had Kevlar in the mix. By using higher modulus tow and less epoxy they switched to a all-carbon weave. AFAIK just about every shaft out there now is all-carbon. New shafts will come out to get players $$ just like new golf clubs. Just don't get caught up in the seller's bs about how you'll play better using it.

 

[muskyed]

Jacoby has went through a few versions.
Their latest is 4.0, the one I have is 3.2, can't tell a whole lot of difference in the few shots I took with the 4.0. It did seem a little quieter, but mine is really quiet, and the 4.0 I tried was only a week or so old so the tip was new, so maybe thats why it was quieter.

 

[Black-Balled]

And rarely is the evolution of a product type both dramatic and fast.

 

[j2pac]

Jacoby has went through a few versions.
Their latest is 4.0, the one I have is 3.2, can't tell a whole lot of difference in the few shots I took with the 4.0. It did seem a little quieter, but mine is really quiet, and the 4.0 I tried was only a week or so old so the tip was new, so maybe thats why it was quieter.

The sound difference is most likely due to a difference in the dampening/fill material.

 

[Cue Alchemist]

There's really only two ways to make one, flag-wrapped and filament-wound. I've hit both and can't tell any difference. Mostly just salemanship bs. The early BeCue shafts had Kevlar in the mix. By using higher modulus tow and less epoxy they switched to a all-carbon weave. AFAIK just about every shaft out there now is all-carbon. New shafts will come out to get players $$ just like new golf clubs. Just don't get caught up in the seller's bs about how you'll play better using it.

Well said,too many get carried away with all the hype, and the sales pitch!
I agree with the op, that there are vairing differences between, all these types of shafts around now.

 

[Quesports]

Personally I have not purchased a true carbon fiber shaft. I did purchase a Mezz Ex Pro shaft which as most know is a wood shaft with a carbon fiber insert. That’s as close to carbon fiber as I own today. Having tried some carbon fiber shafts I am still up in the air but am leaning toward Mezz.


Their longevity in the industry combined with great resale value are a couple reasons. Plus I really like the Ex pro shaft.

 

[SSP]

There's really only two ways to make one, flag-wrapped and filament-wound. I've hit both and can't tell any difference. Mostly just salemanship bs. The early BeCue shafts had Kevlar in the mix. By using higher modulus tow and less epoxy they switched to a all-carbon weave. AFAIK just about every shaft out there now is all-carbon. New shafts will come out to get players $$ just like new golf clubs. Just don't get caught up in the seller's bs about how you'll play better using it.

I'll second that, it won't make you a better player, the advantages to CF is that it's not affected by humidity like wood is, the shaft won't warp, it's not affected by temp., more consistency from shaft to shaft so if a shaft is damaged the replacement shaft will feel like the one you are used to playing with, to me those are all desirable traits, Kamui is making a tip that they claim is designed to work with CF shafts, it's about the same price as any layered tip on the market today, I have had it on one of my shafts for a couple of weeks and I like it, It did make a huge difference but I had the stock tip on it which I didn't like, that's my 2cents, hope it helps if you are thinking about going CF, I have a friend who is a great player he tried CF and didn't like them, try one on your butt and see if it works for you.