staticfire98
New member
Is the Whyte carbon shaft premium because it’s expensive?
Fedor Gorst and the Viking Sponsorship
- Thread starter staticfire98
- Start date
I mean, I guess on some level yes. But also the interchangeable insert design is probably more expensive to produce and they seem to have a fairly techy approach to their shaft material. Along with that is their size options, they offer 5 diameters compared to the more common 3 or so. While some may feel that more options isn't needed, for some being able to get the precise diameter they want is worth a premium and I'm sure it adds to their overhead costs as stocking more SKUs always does (of course, they save a lot with their adapter system....smart business move).
I play with Revo but if I didn't and was going to go with another carbon shaft Whyte would be high on my list.
They didn't get beat with an ugly stick, they are the ugly stick, LOL. They have some pretty atrocious designs.
Willowbrook Wolfy
Going pro
Hey hey people. Don’t knock Viking too much. Nothing wrong with signing with them. Have you ever had a big cue company replace your shaft free of charge a month after you got it? Mine was broke in half and Viking did that for me. Their customer service is phenomenal.
Not knocking - much. I have 2 Valhallas; luv 'em. It's their designs. They make one plain maple shooter - the only thing in their lineup that got my attention but that's double what I'd pay and it gets worse from there.
Valhalla's are not made by Viking. Decent Chinese imports tho.
True but the point is they shoot fine and look better than the Viking label Vikings.
Only knocking their designs. Viking has been a staple in this industry for decades and as far as I know, no personal experience, their customer service is excellent. I've played with many of their cues and always thought they hit well. I just think they went down the rabbit hole of too much CNC/fancy designs and they've become too "busy" looking for me, I'm very much old school.
I think Fedor signing with them is awesome. I hope it brings more revenue to an American company so they can stay around for decades longer and I hope it allows Fedor the chance to continue to be one of the best players in the world. On top of that, I know Fedor likes simple looking cues (pretty sure he's a Merry Widow guy, no points or inlays) so maybe his line of cues will have a more traditional/old school look.
I have the Whyte shaft. Plays very well and looks very nice.
I have the Pearl version because I wanted a white shaft (vanity). You need to use a glove with it, though, or coat it constantly with cue silk because it's not super smooth. Otherwise get the classic black Whyte carbon shaft.
I admit, I looked into Whyte after Fedor signed up, but it was the white shaft that was the lure. I don't like black shafts visually.
Better than my Cuetec Cynergy? I can't say that it hits better or has less deflection. They are close.
I do think the Whyte sounds better when striking a ball. A touch closer to wood than the Cynergy.
Worth $600. Probably not. I think $500 would have been more reasonable. But yes, the interchangeable joint system is probably the reason for the higher price.
Of course, you have to get a butt, too, and that adds to the price if you don't already have one.
Someone mentioned Whyte/Viking could use a better extension. I agree. Viking uses a rebranded Tiger with an adapter. The newer Cuetec extension blows it away for ease of use.
I have the Pearl version because I wanted a white shaft (vanity). You need to use a glove with it, though, or coat it constantly with cue silk because it's not super smooth. Otherwise get the classic black Whyte carbon shaft.
I admit, I looked into Whyte after Fedor signed up, but it was the white shaft that was the lure. I don't like black shafts visually.
Better than my Cuetec Cynergy? I can't say that it hits better or has less deflection. They are close.
I do think the Whyte sounds better when striking a ball. A touch closer to wood than the Cynergy.
Worth $600. Probably not. I think $500 would have been more reasonable. But yes, the interchangeable joint system is probably the reason for the higher price.
Of course, you have to get a butt, too, and that adds to the price if you don't already have one.
Someone mentioned Whyte/Viking could use a better extension. I agree. Viking uses a rebranded Tiger with an adapter. The newer Cuetec extension blows it away for ease of use.
I played with all whyte shafts, they're really really really good. In terms of play theyre good plus the really awesome thing about it, is their joints. You can change them for $70, imagine having a CF for just $70 if you changed you butt thats fine, just get a new joint and you're good to go.....so you can play with the same exact shaft forever literally which is what you need in pool.
But here are some thoughts which I hope they improve upon only for the coated ones (Pearl & Wood grain)
These shafts play great just like the raw black, if you are a player who use a GLOVE then this doesn't impact you nor applied to you because you're fine.
If you're not a glove user then its very hard to use pearl or wood grain because you wont feel the same smoothness as you would feel with all the other CF black shafts, you will feel and notice the paint and you want to use a glove.
However for this case just get the black raw whyte, because this feels exactly like any other CF, very very smooth. So yea!!
But in terms of play, its really really good and I've used all CF shafts out there, so I know how to compare them. Let me play more with it, then i'll rank them based on my own preference from 1 to 9 -- all the CF's I've used, ill update here later once I have at least 3-4 weeks of play on the black raw.
But here are some thoughts which I hope they improve upon only for the coated ones (Pearl & Wood grain)
These shafts play great just like the raw black, if you are a player who use a GLOVE then this doesn't impact you nor applied to you because you're fine.
If you're not a glove user then its very hard to use pearl or wood grain because you wont feel the same smoothness as you would feel with all the other CF black shafts, you will feel and notice the paint and you want to use a glove.
However for this case just get the black raw whyte, because this feels exactly like any other CF, very very smooth. So yea!!
But in terms of play, its really really good and I've used all CF shafts out there, so I know how to compare them. Let me play more with it, then i'll rank them based on my own preference from 1 to 9 -- all the CF's I've used, ill update here later once I have at least 3-4 weeks of play on the black raw.
Less is more. Viking hasn’t got the message. I refuse to pay for artwork on a cue and I’m an art collector.
I’m not knocking him signing with them.. I’m knocking Viking for making cues that look like dog water bruh lol
Willowbrook Wolfy
Going pro
Hey I do agree to a point. A lot of their designs are “cheap” gaudy. Sometimes less is more. I haven’t looked at a recent catalog. Only at their sneakies. But in times past, seems like they always have 1-2 that are a bit more pricey, but not as flashy with some actual wood inlays instead of MOP thrown in the mix.
tomatoshooter
Well-known member
I'm glad someone pointed out that the painted carbon shafts aren't as slick as the black carbon. I think the extra visibility of a lighter shaft can be helpful because it's easier to see with peripheral vision, but if it isn't as slick, I don't think I can justify buying a new shaft.
Y'all are right, Viking does make some ugly cues. They just use too much mother of toilet seat. It looks good for rings but when the it's more of a sleeve it starts to look tacky. I have a Viking, it's the blue one where the "wrap" area is faded to gray.
My next cue will probably be a custom of some sort. If I get another Viking, I'll order something custom, either see if I can get the fade done in different colors or get a couple of rings added to one of their sneaky petes. I do like the colors of their stains and love the way my cue plays with the carbon shaft.
I see Viking has recently introduced a carbon break shaft but I don't see it as an optional upgrade for their break and jump cues.
Y'all are right, Viking does make some ugly cues. They just use too much mother of toilet seat. It looks good for rings but when the it's more of a sleeve it starts to look tacky. I have a Viking, it's the blue one where the "wrap" area is faded to gray.
My next cue will probably be a custom of some sort. If I get another Viking, I'll order something custom, either see if I can get the fade done in different colors or get a couple of rings added to one of their sneaky petes. I do like the colors of their stains and love the way my cue plays with the carbon shaft.
I see Viking has recently introduced a carbon break shaft but I don't see it as an optional upgrade for their break and jump cues.
The Whyte people should of been reading the posts about the mcdermott defy before they went forward with that idea, it got roasted for how sticky it was.
And for me, a glove doesn't do it, you need the glove and the cue slick. That's a little over the top. Shit I'm out of cue slick, can't play tonight.
I'm still curious is the most recent version of the Defy really took care of that problem. Some say it did.
xX-Wizard-Xx
Well-known member
i havent looked at viking cues in years .... almost forgot they even existed .... i dont care what celebrity pool players shoot with either .... they do them and i will do whatever suits me ...
went to Vikings site and not the best site to navigate ....
went to Vikings site and not the best site to navigate ....
I've got an old Viking I've had for 20 years or so I still play with from time to time . I do like it . It's just a plain red stained Birdseye with black joint and but capp and a black/red linen wrap. I like because it is so plain. viking does make alot of gaudy cues. I do now use a Whyte Carbon shaft on it though.
I use cue silk after cleaning my wood shafts, since it works like a wood sealant. I am not sure how that would work with CF since cf doesnt absorb it. Your glove would absorb it. Doesnt it get messy and all over the place for you ? Glove hand is bridge hand, doesnt it get on and stain the cloth ?
They used to love to use that mother of pearl or whatever it is which to me is terrible lol but again there is an ass for every seat and they have been making cues for a long time so someone is buying them lol
Mother of psychedelic alien was the last straw.